Rikki Redhead

MS, LPC

I strive to connect with clients on a deeply human level, creating an affirming and inclusive environment where individuals can explore and embody their whole, authentic selves.

I believe the therapeutic relationship is the most essential element in facilitating meaningful change. 

My work is deeply informed by my own lived experiences. I feel especially connected to clients who have experienced trauma—whether complex or situational. I also hold a strong affinity for individuals from rural communities and understand the unique obstacles faced in these settings. A formative moment in my development as a therapist was realizing the profound impact that access to care can have in under-resourced areas. Around that same time, I noticed a recurring theme: friends and family frequently turned to me during moments of vulnerability. That trust shaped my path toward becoming a mental health provider.

I specialize in supporting individuals navigating issues such as self-worth, body image, disordered eating, family dynamics, communication, attachment, trauma, anxiety, depression, emotional regulation, and the experiences of womanhood and girlhood. I also work with Autistic clients and those with other forms of neurodivergence through a neurodivergent-affirming lens. My approach honors each client’s unique way of thinking, processing, and showing up in the world, with an emphasis on self-compassion and adapting therapy to align with their needs.

I firmly believe that therapy and anti-oppressive practice are inseparable. While not every client may identify as having experienced oppression or trauma, a trauma-informed lens remains critical: our experiences often shape current concerns and coping strategies. For many, these survival strategies—whether adaptive or not—have been essential to getting through hard moments.

Outside of the therapy room, I recharge in nature and deeply value my rural roots. I love stepping away from the pace of Eugene to reconnect with the outdoors. I'm an avid reader and writer, especially of fantasy, and I fully embrace my inner nerd. I also share my life with my husband and our rescue German Shepherd, Cinnamon. Together, we enjoy cooking, exploring new restaurants, and traveling to new places.

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Areas of Focus

Who I Work With: Adults, TEENS, Children 7+, and families

While I work with a wide range of people and presenting problems, some of my most common topics of focus include:

• Self-worth

• Self-compassion

• Trauma

• Relationship with body and food

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Communication

• Family Relationships

• Attachment

• Women and Girls' issues

• Emotional literacy and regulation

• Neurodivergent Affirming Care

• Gender Affirming Care

Counseling Technique

My counseling technique is grounded in the belief that people are inherently capable and resilient, and that most individuals are doing the best they can with the tools and strategies they’ve developed, often in response to painful or overwhelming experiences. Behaviors that may appear “challenging” or “maladaptive” in the present are often strategic survival responses that were once essential. I approach therapy with deep respect for these adaptations and work collaboratively with clients to explore and expand their coping strategies in a way that feels empowering, affirming, and aligned with their goals.

At the core of my approach is a strengths-based, relational, and trauma-informed framework. I place great emphasis on the therapeutic relationship as a central vehicle for healing. I strive to create a safe, consistent, and inclusive space where clients feel genuinely seen, heard, and respected. I also work intentionally to address the impact of systemic oppression and identity-based trauma, and invite open conversations about the intersections of identity, privilege, and power, including any dynamics that may be present between myself and the client. Therapy, to me, is not neutral; it must hold space for the realities of marginalization and offer room for clients to unpack and process those experiences.

My clinical style is integrative, drawing from multiple modalities to meet each client’s unique needs. I incorporate Virginia Satir’s experiential approach to support self-worth and authentic expression, Emotionally Focused Therapy to explore attachment and emotional patterns, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to provide structured support for trauma recovery, and mindfulness practices to help clients develop awareness and reduce reactivity. I also use Kristin Neff’s self-compassion model to foster a more kind and supportive inner dialogue, particularly during moments of struggle. Additionally, I am a licensed Be Body Positive facilitator, trained by The Body Positive, a national nonprofit grounded in Health at Every Size principles that focuses on healing body image and preventing disordered eating.

I work with children as young as 7, using Trauma-Focused CBT specifically. This allows me to help them process painful memories, build healthy coping skills, and feel in control of their emotions again. TF-CBT isn’t just therapy; it is a roadmap to healing, helping children make sense of their experiences and feel stronger, safer, and more secure in their everyday lives.

Systems theory underpins all of my work. I view each client within the broader context of their relationships, communities, and environments, and I recognize that behavior often makes the most sense when we understand the systems that shape it. This perspective reinforces my commitment to cultural humility, intersectionality, and the importance of context in all aspects of the therapeutic process. I also believe in the value of care coordination and strive to collaborate with other providers, such as prescribers, school counselors, or additional therapists, when appropriate, to ensure that the care a client receives is as cohesive and supportive as possible.

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Professional Background

The majority of my professional background consists of providing individual, family, and group therapy to girl-identified and gender expansive youth at Ophelia's Place, a non-profit organization in Eugene. I completed my externship at Ophelia's Place while in graduate school and went on to work at OP as an employee from August of 2019 through the end of 2024. I obtained licensure while at OP and began offering clinical supervision to graduate student interns in 2023; I will be continuing to offer clinical supervision at Ophelia’s Place until June of 2025.

While in graduate school I also provided therapy for individuals, couples, and families at the Center for Healthy Relationships at the University of Oregon, a low-cost community mental health clinic. Further, I provided individual, family, and group therapy to youth and young adults in an intensive care setting at Insight Northwest Recovery in early 2025; some of my work in this role focused on addiction issues.

Finally, I volunteered for Courageous Kids on several occasions, playing the role of camp counselor at their annual summer camp; Courageous Kids is a non-profit organization providing grief support to children who have lost loved ones.

Education Credentials

I hold a Master's of Science in Couples and Family Therapy from the University of Oregon. I hold a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology from Oregon State University. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Oregon (License #C7336).