Tim Combs – True Heart Therapy

Hi, it's nice to meet you!

I'm Tim Combs, and I'm glad you're here.

What is a fun fact about myself?

Recently, I’ve started channeling my intuitive, creative self into a mindful practice of daily exercise and guitar playing. And my happy place will always be sitting next to the ocean.

What can you expect as my client?

Sometimes it is difficult to say what needs to be said, to get both the discomfort and joy in your stories out. I will be here to provide a space free of shame and stigma to help you be heard and to help you hear yourself. I’m here to collaborate with you toward your goals, knowing you have it in you to grow and that you are the expert of your life. I’m curious to see what we’ll discover along the way.

Who am I outside of therapy?

When I’m not counseling, you can find me going on nature hikes or long walks throughout the city or leaning into my curiosity and “nerding out” on a new area of interest.

How did I become a therapist?

My journey of helping people has been life-long. After years of working in classroom settings and with community groups, I realized that people in need have always privately sought me out for support. During the early days of COVID I found myself teaching one-on-one session online and spent more time helping people deal with their emotional needs than the classwork. I decided to lean in to deepen my skills to help people access life-long growth by learning to more fully use the languages of their heart, body, and mind.

Pronouns: he/they

I am in the final year of a master’s degree program in Professional Mental Health Counseling with an Addiction Specialization at Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling. I also hold a master’s degree in Popular Culture Studies from Bowling Green State University. I have training and experience working with young and mature adults, veterans, behavioral and substance addictions and their impact on families and friends.

I come to counseling after 25 years in Portland working in the arts, nonprofits, and education supporting people in neighborhoods, the working poor, immigrant populations, BIPOC students, and LGBTQ+ artists. During these years, I was able to show up for people in supportive and nurturing ways and continue to so as a counselor.

A person who may be feeling stuck or desiring of change in their life, but who may be unsure about the where exploration will take them yet willing to muster up courage to take steps forward. Or a person who may be struggling with, anxiety, childhood trauma, grief, or life transitions. I’m also drawn to mature adults, veterans, BIPOC folks, male-presenting clients who aren’t sure what counseling is, and the family and friends that support them.