Chelsea Bucina, PsyD
I’m a clinical psychologist licensed to provide care throughout the state of Oregon. I specialize in working with adult men who are navigating the lasting impact of trauma and PTSD. Trauma doesn’t always show up the way people expect it to. For many men, it emerges as anger, emotional shutdown, substance use, overworking, relationship conflict, or a persistent sense of pressure to hold everything together. Over time, these patterns often lead to anxiety, depression, shame, isolation, and feeling out of control of one’s reactions or life.
I offer individual and group psychotherapies and therapy intensives for men who want more than symptom management: men who want to understand what’s driving their patterns and make real, sustainable changes. My work is depth-oriented, trauma-focused, and evidence-based, while also addressing how stress and trauma live in the body and nervous system. Therapy is tailored and purposeful, using past experience to understand and shift patterns that continue to shape the present.
While my direct clinical work centers around men, I also provide comprehensive psychological evaluation for adults of all genders, fitness and readiness evaluations for clergy, mental health evaluations for justice-involved individuals, and clinical supervision and consultation for clinicians and psychology trainees.
Education.
PsyD in Clinical Psychology
Pacific University
School of Graduate Psychology
Hillsboro, OR
MA in Clinical Psychology
Pacific University
School of Graduate Psychology
Hillsboro, OR
BSc in Psychology
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
BSc in Criminology
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
Clinical training.
Psychologist Resident
Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare
Columbia River Correctional Institution
Portland, OR
APA Doctoral Psychology Intern
Hutchings Psychiatric Center
Central NY Psychiatric Center
Marcy Correctional Facility
Syracuse, NY
Behavioral Health Intern
Oregon Dept. of Corrections
Coffee Creek Correctional Facility
Wilsonville, OR
About how I work.
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My work is grounded in modern psychodynamic theory, attachment theory, and object relations. I take an integrative approach, drawing on evidence-based strategies from cognitive and behavioral therapies and other trauma-focused modalities when they support the work.
Therapy here is not about fixing or bandaging symptoms. It’s about developing awareness and insight, increasing tolerance and flexibility, and addressing the underlying patterns that shape how you relate to yourself and others.
Much of my work focuses on individuals navigating the long-term impact of trauma and high-stress environments, including:Lifelong, chronic, or complex trauma
Relationship conflict and attachment-related concerns
Sex and intimacy-related difficulties
Substance use, workaholism, dissociation, and other avoidance-based coping strategies
Histories of incarceration or other justice system involvement
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I’m a good fit for people who want an active, engaged therapist who will name patterns and challenge avoidance when it shows up. My work is collaborative and direct, and I work best with clients who want to confront long-standing patterns rather than talk around them.
I’m not a good fit if you’re looking for a primarily listening-based style, advice-giving, or a quick fix.
Finding the right fit matters. You don’t need to have everything figured out to start. What matters is openness to engaged work and honest feedback. I offer a free 15-minute consultation so you can ask questions, get a sense of my approach, and decide whether working together makes sense.
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Clinical psychologists receive advanced training in psychological assessment, diagnosis, and evidence-based treatment. In my work, this allows me to integrate structured assessment, trauma-focused interventions, and collaborative formulation to support both insight and practical change.
My role is to offer a specific level of depth, structure, and clinical expertise, particularly when patterns are complex, long-standing, or difficult to shift through supportive or skills-based approaches alone.
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The best fit depends on your goals and what you’re looking for right now.
Ongoing therapy is well-suited for gradual, sustained change and working with long-standing patterns over time. Intensives offer more focused, time-limited work when a specific issue needs concentrated attention. Evaluations are useful when you’re seeking diagnostic clarity, a clearer understanding of what’s driving your symptoms, or guidance about next steps.
We can talk through these options during an initial consultation and decide together what makes the most sense.
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It’s common to feel hesitant about opening up, especially if you’ve had prior experiences where therapy felt overwhelming, unstructured, or unhelpful. In my work, the process is gradual and intentional, more like wading in than being pushed into the deep end.
I prioritize transparency and pacing, and we’ll be clear about what we’re working toward and how we’re getting there. You won’t be rushed and avoidance will still be noticed and addressed when it matters.

