About Linda Nguyen 

My name is Linda Nguyen and my pronouns are she/her/hers. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in my private practice called Linda Nguyen Therapy, LLC located in Portland, Oregon.

I want to acknowledge the work you have done so far in your healing journey. It can be challenging to seek out additional services for yourself, such as therapy. I believe therapy to be a collaborative process in order to create an opportunity for clients to heal. In this collaborative process, I strive to provide a safe and non- judgmental environment for you to experience insight, growth, feel heard and seen, and make progress within your healing journey.

Growing up, I was always drawn to connection. I genuinely wanted to know people - their stories, their feelings and emotions, and their experiences. I often found myself listening closely, noticing what was said and what wasn’t, and wanting others to feel heard and seen. Becoming a therapist felt like a natural extension of who I’ve always been: someone who values presence, openness, and meaningful connection. I believe healing begins when we feel truly seen, heard, and understood.

My understanding of connection began within my family and household. Growing up as a second-generation Vietnamese American and the child of a Vietnamese immigrant and refugee, I learned early how history, culture, and family roles shape the ways we relate to one another. I also recognize that my identities as a cisgender, heterosexual, able-bodied woman hold privilege, and I remain mindful of how access, power, and safety can show up within my work with clients. With my lived experiences and awareness of privilege, it provides me awareness of cultural context, a curiosity about personal and family histories, an understanding of family systems, and a sensitivity to the layered and intersecting identities each person carries.

Because of my identities, I am passionate about addressing the stigma around mental health in Asian communities. My approach will always include having a culturally responsive and trauma-informed framework that integrates anti-oppressive, anti-racist, intersectional, and social justice values.

My speciality is providing therapy to clients who have experienced or are currently experiencing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking and sex trafficking.

Modalities

Attachment Based

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Family Systems Therapy (FST)

Humanistic Therapy

Brainspotting

Narrative Therapy

Psychodynamic Therapy

Trauma – Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Sex Therapy

Strength-Based

Structural Family Therapy (SFT)

Relational Therapy

 
Screenshot 2025-02-05 at 12.28.39 PM.png

Issues

  • Anxiety

  • Attachment Styles

  • Codependency

  • Dating Violence

  • Depression

  • Divorce

  • Family of Origin

  • Family Dynamics

  • High Control Organizations

  • Intergenerational Trauma

  • Infidelity

  • Intimacy

  • Racial Identity

  • Relationship Issues

  • Religious Trauma

  • Sex

  • Sexuality

  • Sex Worker Issues

  • Sexual Assault

  • Sexual Harassment

  • Stalking

  • Sex Trafficking

  • Trauma

Sex Therapy Certification

Since my specialty is working with clients who have experienced trauma, I have completed advanced training to receive my Sex Therapy Certification through Sexual Health Alliance (SHA) to provide therapy to clients whose trauma has causes concerns or issues relating to: desire, arousal, orgasm, sexual pain, intimacy, low libido/high libido, sexuality, sexual orientation, sexual interests, kinks/fetishes and pornography.

To learn more about sex therapy, click here.

Trauma Response and Empowerment Model (TREM) Group

My experience also includes facilitating a support group called Trauma Recovery and Empowerment Model (TREM) for clients who have experienced domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking and sex trafficking. This model draws on cognitive–behavioral, skills training, and psychoeducational techniques to address recovery and healing from physical, psychological/emotional, sexual, financial, and spiritual abuse.

TREM consists of three major parts:

Part 1 - Empowerment

  • What It Means To Be a Woman

  • What Do You Know and How Do You Feel About Your Body?

  • Physical Boundaries

  • Emotional Boundaries: Setting Limits and Asking for What You Want

  • Self-Esteem

  • Developing Ways To Feel Better: Self-Soothing

  • Intimacy and Trust

  • Female Sexuality

  • Sex With a Partner

Part 2 - Trauma Recovery

  • Gaining an Understanding of Trauma

  • The Body Remembers What the Mind Forgets

  • What is Physical Abuse?

  • What is Sexual Abuse?

  • Physical Safety

  • What is Emotional Abuse?

  • Institutional Abuse

  • Abuse and Psychological or Emotional Symptoms

  • Trauma and Addictive or Compulsive Behavior

  • Abuse and Relationships

Part 3 - Advanced Trauma Recovery

  • Family—Myths and Distortions

  • Family Life: Current

  • Decision-making: Trusting Your Judgment

  • Communication: Making Yourself Understood

  • Self-Destructive Behaviors

  • Blame, Acceptance, and Forgiveness

  • Feeling out of Control

  • Relationships

  • Personal Healing

Education

I hold a Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree from Portland State University. As an undergraduate student, I majored in Psychology and minored in Community Health Education.

I also hold Master of Social Work (MSW) from Portland State University. During the Master of Social Work Program, I completed a concentration in advanced clinical social work practice. The concentration provided me with advanced training in theoretical models that are grounded in strength-based, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive perspectives that I am able to utilize in my practice with clients.

To see completed trainings, click here.
To see previous work experiences, click here.

A small, fluffy dog with gray, white, and black fur, looking up at the camera with a curious expression. The background features a beige wall and carpeted floor.

Olive is my 6 year old shih zhu dog. Since I am working from home, she loves spending time with me in my office. Her favorite things to do when I am working is laying on her favorite blanket, playing with a toy, or sleeping. During sessions, you may see her on the screen or hear her bark. This is her way of providing you with additional support.

About Olive