Christopher “Christo” Raines (he/him/his) PhD, HSP, ADHD-CCSP

Owner and Licensed Psychologist

City of Roses Psychological Services LLC

OR #3365

Introduction

I appreciate you taking sometime to learn more about me and CRPS. As owner, I feel humbled to offer services from my hometown. I was born and raised in the City of Roses. Portland, with all its complexity, holds an important place in my heart. You’ll a find a little about my background, approach and training below.

Background

I bring a decade of training and clinical experience in psychotherapy to the practice. An important part of my learning has also been living in California, New Orleans, Wisconsin, Michigan and Boston as well as traveling internationally (especially to Spanish-speaking places). I have valued working with people from urban settings (like New Orleans, Portland, and Detroit) but also more bucolic places (like rural towns from Wisconsin, Louisiana, and Pendleton, Oregon). These experiences invariably influence my clinical work, approach to therapy and worldview. Personally, I enjoy spending free time with my partner and dogs, cooking, reading, traveling, and running.

Approach

I base my work on the integration of what I have learned to be Evidenced-Based Practice in Psychology and my nearly 10 years of clinical experience. I see relationships as central to therapy and that starts with our working alliance. I have an orientation towards collaboration in establishing a common purpose and agreed direction. We likely will explore your history, challenges and hopes as we tailor your treatment to face life’s challenges based on your unique strengths, concerns, and goals. 

I am an integrative clinician drawing particularly on contemporary psychodynamic, interpersonal, cognitive behavioral, and behavioral health treatments. I have been influenced by anti-racist, feminist, men and masculinities, and multicultural theories.  

I aspire to adopt a stance of cultural humility and hold an intersectional lens (with recognition of the power and privilege of social locations for both myself and clients).

I was trained in the scientist-practitioner model which I use to blend my research background, clinical theory, and therapy expertise to help people address mental health challenges. My process can include utilizing this as we try to understand your concerns (i.e., with hypothesis testing) make sense of your history and context (i.e., gathering data) and potentially building a theory to help you move closer to where you want to be.

Training

I obtained a PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 2019. I completed my post-doctoral residency at Portland Mental Health and Wellness in September 2021. I initiated, but did not complete, a post-doctoral residency in Pendleton, OR in 2020 as well. I completed my APA accredited internship at the University of Michigan Counseling Center (CAPS) in Ann Arbor, Michigan in August 2019. I have worked in a variety of roles, settings and contexts including: Urban settings, rural settings, diverse regions of the U.S., College and University Counseling Centers, outpatient mental health clinics, behavioral health consulting in a medical clinics, a Veteran’s hospital and community mental health centers.

In addition to my background in individual therapy, I have run or been a process observer in several Interpersonal Process Groups rooted in Irvin Yalom’s approach. In addition to running these groups I have completed graduate coursework on group therapy and I have co-run other therapy groups (e.g., anger management, life skills).

Areas of Specialization and Clinical Focus

  • Masculinity, gender role stress, and men’s issues.

  • Life transitions (family, work, retirement, deaths/loss, and life events)

  • Grief and trauma

  • Supporting emerging adults (18-26+), life transitions and mental health challenges

  • Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism, and Executive Function concerns*

    Please note: I do not complete ADHD or Autism evaluations/assessments or prescribe medication.

    *I have supervised experience as well as formal training in treating ADHD. I am an ADHD Certified Clinical Services Provider. I am currently completing training on Autism through structured certification courses for Autism Clinical Specialization.

Clinical Experience

I have supported patients across the lifespan and from a broad spectrum of identities. I have helped patients face and address a variety of mental health challenges including:

  • Self Esteem Challenges

  • Managing Stress, Distress, and Feeling Overwhelmed

  • Relationship Concerns, (Friends, Peers, and Social Anxiety)

  • Family challenges and/or relationship concerns (including ethical non-monogamy/ENM, and polyamory)

  • Anxiety and Panic Disorders

  • Depression and Mood Disorders

  • Trauma, grief, and adjustment concerns

  • Identity concerns (including supporting immigrants, people who are first generation, veterans, life transitions/phase of life challenges, BIPOC, Queer, and LGBTQIA*+ folx)

  • Mental health support of chronic health concerns (e.g., chronic pain, diabetes, and sleep issues)

  • ADHD and Executive Function challenges including:

    • Procrastination, Avoidance, and Task Initiation

    • Prioritization and Organization

    • Emotional Dysregulation and Anger Management

    • Rejection Sensitivity

    • Task switching and Set Shifts

    • Sensory Overload/Overstimulation

    • Task completion and Task Persistence

  • Men and Masculinity issues

    • Difficulty with emotions (identification, expression, and processing feelings which commonly include: shame, guilt, and anger)

    • Perception of not meeting potential or falling short of expectations (for self or from others)

    • Relationship concerns (isolation, emotional distance, difficulty with vulnerability and feeling disconnected from others)

    • Gender role conflicts (e.g., feelings of inadequacy, not feeling “man enough” and gender policing experiences)

    • Rigid and inflexible coping strategies (e.g., disengagement, numbing out, cannabis/THC/weed or alcohol)

    • Parenting and Fatherhood

    • Life/work transitions

Professional Affiliations

I am credentialed as a Health Service Psychologist (HSP) with the National Register. I also am a member of the American Psychological Association (APA). In addition I am a member of the following APA division: Men and Masculinities (Division 51). I am a member of the Oregon Psychological Association.

Positionality Statement

I work with a recognition that my intersecting social locations will show up in clinical work. As a part of my aspirations towards anti-oppression practices I work to recognize my biases, limitations and blindspots and their impact as a mental health provider. I offer this statement in part to acknowledge historical legacy of oppression in my field of psychology (and larger society).

Some of my identities include: White, cis-gender man, heterosexual, raised but not currently practicing as Catholic. I am able-bodied and have mostly lived in Urban environments. I welcome feedback and questions about my background.