About Me

My name is Claudia Byrne, and I have been working in the mental health field for 20+ years. In 1991, I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Communications from the University of Colorado, and in 2001, I received a Doctorate in Psychology from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.

I am currently licensed as a psychologist in Texas, Oregon, Washington, and Colorado, and belong to the American Psychological Association, Oregon Psychological Association, and National Register of Health Service Psychologists.

During my time in this profession, I have worked with many individuals struggling with a wide variety of issues such as depression, anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), chronic illness, chronic pain, relationship discord, family conflict, and trauma.

My Philosophy

I understand that feeling safe and being able to trust are two key elements you need from me in order to explore, examine, and express your thoughts, feelings, fears, and worries in therapy. I take pride in being non-judgmental, honest, curious, and compassionate. I believe that authenticity and acceptance fosters a sense of safety and trust in our relationship. These values are just as important to me as they are to you.

The therapeutic techniques that I use are evidence-based, and have been recommended by the American Psychological Association and American Psychiatric Association. CBT-I is also recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and The American Academy of Family Physicians.

Education

B.A. in Psychology and Communications from the University of Colorado (1991)
Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (2001)

Professional Experiences

Prior to graduating with my Doctorate in Psychology, I completed clinical training at the Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital Substance Abuse Treatment Program in St. Cloud, MN; the VA Hospital Medical Psychology program in Minneapolis, MN; and the University of Minnesota Counseling Center. I enjoyed my experience working with military veterans and college students.

I have also completed traineeships in the Intensive Care and Burn units of Ramsey Hospital in St. Paul, MN and the Walk-In Counseling Center in Minneapolis, MN. My predoctoral internship was at the VA Hospital in Bay Pines, Florida with a focus on Health Psychology and PTSD/Trauma Treatment. My postdoctoral training was in Austin, Texas with a focus on Health Psychology (specialty Pain Management) and Geropsychology.

For 16 years, I worked in private practice and as a Co-Clinical Director for the Austin Center for Therapy and Assessment. In 2017, I moved my practice to Portland, Oregon to enjoy the cooler weather and outdoor activities. Today I teach online classes on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I).

Licenses & Affiliations

Texas Licensed Psychologist
Oregon Licensed Psychologist
Colorado Licensed Psychologist
Washington Licensed Psychologist
American Psychological Association
Oregon Psychological Association
National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology

Additional Trainings & Certifications

I received additional training in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cognitive-Processing Therapy (CPT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy, and Eye-Movement Desensitization Retraining therapy (EMDR) to treat trauma, anxiety, and depression. I am also certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and will be certified in Emotional Transformation Therapy (ETT) in the Spring 2024.