Todd Werkhoven

Todd is in his final year of graduate school at Portland State University, pursuing a Masters of Social Work. He brings years of experience using his bachelor’s degree in Communications and minor in Psychology as both a writer and author, as well as an in-home Personal Support Worker for several dozen families with children with special needs. His previous internship at Harmony Academy Recovery High School gave him valuable insight into supporting students with academic challenges and substance abuse recovery. Additionally, Todd also has decades of experience working with pre-school and younger elementary school-aged children through after-school science classes, summer camps, and over 20 years of volunteer Sunday school teaching.

 

Todd is able to tap into his years of experience communicating with a wide spectrum of people through explaining processes, authoring articles and books, lifeskills training, teaching, caregiving, support, and advocacy. He takes a person-centered, strengths-based, gestalt approach to social work and counseling, believing that each person and situation is unique and worthy of care that fits their personality and situation.

 

Having been in successful recovery for over 15 years, Todd understands the hard work, resiliency, and focus it takes to make lasting change. And he also knows that while change is difficult, it is wonderfully possible. Working with clients who are new to counseling or therapy is part of his drive to pursue his Masters, carrying the torch of his own positive counseling experiences forward to other individuals, parents, families, and children who may be new to deep self-exploration.​

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​Todd will practice under the clinical supervision of Dane Ward, LCSW (dane@connectionsfirst.org), and will adhere to the code of ethics set by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.