Relationship Therapy with Gabriel Trees, MA

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Are you struggling with relationship issues?

Would you like to strengthen communication and increase trust? Are you looking for support in navigating conflicts that leave you frustrated and drained? If so, you are not alone - there is hope.

Relationships can provide the most meaningful and inspiring experiences of our lives. They can also be the most painful and confusing moments we ever endure.

I’m here to not only listen and support you, but to provide you with meaningful guidance that will have a real and lasting impact.

Whether you are in a committed relationship, navigating the beginning or end of a relationship, or looking for help with dating - I’m here to help. Let's get clear about what is important to you, and dare to dream about what progress might be possible.

As a Level-3 Gottman Therapist, I specialize in a wide range of evidence-based approaches. I also have extensive training in Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy, and Attachment Theory.

I’m deeply aware of how difficult it can feel to reach out for support. I offer straight-forward dialogue, a wide range of experience, and a compassionate path forward. Together we will shift disruptive patterns into balance, clarity, and fulfillment.

My passion is helping people create more satisfying and connected relationships.

I provide an inclusive space for all types of relationships. Although many of the clients I work with are romantic couples (heterosexual, same-sex, and mixed orientation couples), I also work with any type of relationship including family members, coworkers, friends, and individuals with relational concerns. I welcome your truth, your feelings, and your unique lived experience.

Get Started with a Free Consultation

The best way to find out if we are a fit and to see how relationship therapy can help you is by booking a free consultation with me.

Relationship Therapy for Couples

Fighting too much? Are you feeling unfulfilled in your relationship? Are you experiencing major breakdowns in communication? There is so much that can be done to help hurting relationships. Let me support you in bringing back joy & intimacy to your relationship by making changes that have a real and lasting impact.

Relationship Therapy for Individuals

Are you dating - and keep attracting the wrong kind of relationships or partners? Are you unhappy in your current relationship and wondering how to navigate your next steps? Do you want to go to therapy but are aware your parter will not? Let’s dare to dream about what progress might be possible. Individual Relationship Therapy can help.

Relationship Therapy for Families & Groups

Would you like support navigating interpersonal challenges and conflict with greater ease? Are the same disruptive patterns happening over and over? Together let’s examine and shift group dynamics that are no longer working so you can build stronger bonds with those you care about.

Relationship Therapy Can Help With:

  • Breakups

  • Communication

  • Codependency / Dependency

  • Co-parenting

  • Conflict Management

  • Couples Counseling

  • Dating

  • Divorce & Separation

  • Infidelity

  • Intimacy Issues

  • Interpersonal Difficulties

  • Family of Origin Issues

  • Family Problems

  • LGBTQPA+

  • Marriage Counseling

  • Monogamy / Polyamory / Open 

  • Premarital Counseling

  • Relationship Repair

  • Trust

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About Gabriel

Hello, I’m Gabriel Trees, Relationship Therapist. Portland, OR has been my home for the last 25 years, but I also spent formative years in New England and Georgia. This has resulted in me adopting characteristics from all three: the straight-forwardness of NE, the conscientiousness of the South, and the openness and flexibility of the PNW. 

Besides being a parent, husband, and friend, I also have extensive experience as a caretaker of children. Relationships in general have always held my attention and curiosity. Having the privilege of going to graduate school to become a Marriage and Family Therapist has been both a humbling and ever-inspiring focus of my life. 

As someone who was in the workforce for 20+ years before entering higher education, I bring to my work the experiences of being an “unskilled” entry-level worker, small business owner, and everything in between.

When I’m not working, I love to have a laugh with my friends, my spouse, and my family. Making people laugh is one of the most satisfying and nourishing things I get to do. Humor has always been an essential ingredient for my well being. 

Music, also, has been my consistent companion and teacher for as long as I can remember. Performing, writing, and recording music continue to be an integral part of my life.

For me, everything is a matter of rhythm and harmony, and the therapy room is no exception.

My Approach and Influence

Gottman Therapy

As a level 3 Gottman Therapist, I specialize in a wide range of therapeutic approaches unique to the Gottman Method. With over 40 years of evidence-based research, the Gottman Method provides a path forward to understanding relationship barriers as well as increasing respect, empathy and intimacy. Let’s support you in strengthening your relationships through approachable tools for success.

Emotionally-Focused
Couples Therapy

Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy (EFT-C) was founded on the evidence that emotions are not accessories to human experience but organizing principles of our lives. By being able to more fully experience our emotional range, our relationships can thrive. Let’s dig in and support you and your partner’s emotional well-being.  

Attachment Theory

The attachment styles we develop early in life can have a profound impact on the way we relate to others in adulthood. Awareness and appreciation of this has been shown to lead to a greater understanding of ourselves and our partners. Let’s work towards creating better relationships with yourself and others.

Strength-Centered
Therapy

Even the worst problems can be improved upon in some way. Let’s work together to find the areas where things are working and expand them. Like any commitment to a process, consistent incremental improvements are what creates significant long-lasting change.  

Benefits You Can Get from RelationshipTherapy

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Improve Communication within Relationships

All communication operates on multiple levels (Meta-communication). Let me help you to identify the more elusive messages you’re sending and receiving about how you feel about your relationship. Let’s explore the differences between what is being said and what is being heard.

Gain Emotional Clarity & Intimacy

Emotions are the way we communicate with ourselves. Our emotions provide important information about how well we’re doing. Emotional expression and understanding takes practice. Let me support you in exploring, identifying, and communicating how you really feel.

Understand Relationship Expectations

Whether we align with them or defy them, we have all absorbed messages about what we should and shouldn’t be. These “rules” are often so ingrained we aren’t even conscious of them. Let’s look closely at what you expect from yourself and your partner, and decide what you wish to keep or discard.

Envision Goals and Potential Futures

Sometimes, we can get so focused on coping with the trials of our lives that we end up settling for less than we need to. Let’s create a safe space to dare to dream about what progress might be possible for you as an individual and in relationships.

Credentials

    • Master of Arts in Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy from Lewis & Clark College School of Education.

    • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Portland State University Honors College.

    • Undergraduate Thesis: “Music Education as a Potential Mediator for Social Decline”

    • Marriage and Family Therapy Associate with the Oregon Board of Licenced Professional Counselors and Therapists.

    • Graduate Internship with Lewis & Clark College Counseling Clinic

    • Graduate Externship with William Temple House Counseling Clinic

    • Gottman Method Level 3 Certification

    • Apprenticeship with the Oregon Prison Project

    • Mentorship with Rose City Nonviolent Communication

    • Speciality training in Acceptance & Commitment Therapy at Lewis & Clark College

    • Speciality training in Engaging Boys & Men at Lewis & Clark College

    • Speciality training in Play and Family Therapy at Lewis & Clark College

    • Speciality training in Death & Loss at Lewis & Clark College

    • Graduated summa cum laude

    • President’s List for academic excellence

    • The National Society of Collegiate Scholars: NSCS

    • American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy

    • Psychology Today

    • Good Therapy

    • Portland Therapy Center

    • Portland Therapy Den

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"Love is a friendship set to music." 

― Joseph Campbell

Frequently Asked Questions

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  • We accept Health Savings Accounts and we can provide a receipt for out-of-network reimbursement. However, we are not currently in-network for any insurance companies.

  • Relationship Therapy is $170 per 60-minute session.

  • I offer both In-person visits at our SE Belmont office- or Telehealth sessions