Dezire “D” Cavitta, MA., NCC

Welcome, my name is Dezire “D” Cavitta, and I look forward to meeting you. I believe cultural diversity enriches our understanding of human experiences, and I strive to create a culturally sensitive and inclusive therapeutic environment that empowers clients to achieve personal growth. I am part of the LGBTQIA+ community. I identify as non-binary using, they/them pronouns. I address concerns holistically which encompasses mental, physical, social, spiritual, and sexual health. I view clients as resourceful and resilient individuals with unique strengths, empowering them to overcome challenges and achieve personal growth.

D works with children, teens, tweens, couples, families and adults, ages 4+

Dezire “D” Cavitta, MA., NCC
Professional Counselor Associate
National Certified Counselor
MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Clinical Supervisors: Scott Waters, LPC & Leah Chance, LPC

Insurances Accepted

  • PacificSource Community Solutions OHP
  • Trillium OHP
  • Oregon Health Plan DMAP/Open Card
  • PacificSource Health Commercial Insurance
  • Providence
  • Regence / BlueCross
  • Cash pay

What I'm Like as a Therapist

As a therapist, I specialize in creating a safe, non-judgmental, and inclusive therapeutic environment that values cultural diversity, aiming to empower personal growth by enhancing clients’ unique strengths. I assist clients by empowering them to overcome challenges and achieve personal growth through effective communication and collaboration. My holistic approach integrates diverse evidence-based theories such as acceptance and commitment, attachment, behavioral, cognitive, compassion-focused, development, functional family, and trauma-focused therapy. I prioritize understanding each client’s goals and needs to tailor therapy sessions accordingly.

Personal Interests

I love challenging myself to exceed my previous benchmark, laughing (at myself included), learning, and upcycling.

"Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Life Transitions Support & Identity Exploration

Life transitions like sudden trauma, identity crisis, and empty nest can be a significant emotional event that requires adjustment and coping strategies. During therapy, individuals can clarify their values, discuss their history, reclaim or develop a new identity, and receive support for the anxiety and stress that accompany transitions. Sudden trauma includes unexpected events such as job transitions, moving, changes in the family dynamic, accidents, natural disasters, or the loss of a loved one, including divorce. Anyone can benefit from transition and grief therapy, especially if the event impacts their daily life, causes excessive guilt, or leads to symptoms of depression. When emotions become overwhelming or start to interfere with daily functioning, therapy can be a valuable resource and support. Empty nest refers to feelings of sadness, loneliness, and loss of purpose that some parents experience when their children move out or child protection services (CPS) remove children from the family home. An identity crisis can occur when an individual questions their sense of self or place in the world. These life transitions can cause a range of emotions, including shock, disbelief, and grief. Coping during major life transitions often involves seeking support from friends, family, or professionals, and finding ways to process and express emotions.

Sex-Positive Couples & Sex Therapy

It can be intimidating to discuss intimate topics in therapy, such as desires, shame, guilt, fantasies, and boundaries. Sexuality is a facet of being human; sex therapy seeks to enhance well-being by addressing mental health concerns related to sexuality and gender, especially for LGBTQ+ individuals. As a sex-positive therapist, I provide space to explore sexuality, gender, relationship dynamics, including those outside the mainstream like BDSM, fetishes, and polyamory. I understand the unique needs of kink and poly communities and work to ensure that clients feel accepted, respected, and heard in therapy.

Parenting

Parenting brings joy, but also complex challenges, especially when dealing with behavior issues or disabilities. Balancing attention between children, along with external stressors like finances or health, can lead to negative emotions. Single parents may struggle with increased responsibilities and enforcing rules. Children of divorced parents with joint custody may have difficulty adjusting to different rules in each household. Parenting therapy can help improve skills and address specific challenges. I have extensive experience working with families to aid parents in understanding and attending to their children’s needs. I utilize an attachment-based approach to help parents create security and trust in their relationships with their children.

Therapies Utilized

Acceptance and Commitment

Attachment

Behavioral

Cognitive

Compassion-Focused

Development

Functional Family

Trauma-Focused Therapy