Lynn Hager, LCSW

She/Her | Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Like many in this field, much of my work centers around experiences I know intimately. For me, this has been loss, grief, and the experience of feeling like too much while simultaneously feeling completely unseen by those nearest to me. These experiences didn't just shape who I am, they became the foundation of how I showed up in the world, and ultimately the catalyst that drove my decision to become a therapist. Today, my hope is to support each person I’m fortunate enough to work with in finding their way back to themselves.

I approach every relationship with intentionality, and I believe progress is always possible through connection, collaboration, and compassion. If you've spent years masking, people-pleasing, or white-knuckling your way through, this is a space to finally put that down and reconnect with your true, authentic self.

I see clients both online and in-person from the Portland and Milwaukie offices.

Currently Accepting New Clients | Contact me directly at Lynn@linkpdx.org

Let’s Work Together

Loss arrived early in my life and never really left. I lost my childhood best friend to suicide, my mother to chronic illness, and my father to a brain tumor, and each of those losses reshaped me in ways I'm still uncovering. But grief wasn't the only thing I was carrying. Growing up in a home where perfectionism and self-criticism were the norm, I learned early to people-please, to mask, to make myself small enough not to be perceived as difficult or too much. I felt anxious, unhappy, and overwhelmed more often than not, and I had no language for why.

How I Got Here

It wasn't until my CPTSD and AuDHD diagnoses later in life that everything began to click into place. Suddenly the anxiety, the self-doubt, the way every relationship and task felt so hard… it all made sense. Through my own trauma processing and intentional therapeutic work, I found my way back to myself. And in doing so, I realized that the path I'd walked could become a map for others. That realization led me back to school to earn my MSW, and ultimately into this work with clients navigating their own journeys of self-discovery and building greater self-trust.

My Approach to Therapy

Working with me means entering a space that is genuinely curious, collaborative, and unhurried. One where we explore what's beneath the surface together, at a pace that feels approachable and meaningful. Some days that looks like slowing down enough to notice what's happening in your body before we try to make sense of it in your mind. Other days it means building concrete skills to regulate when you're overwhelmed, or interrupting the thought patterns that keep pulling you back.

I draw from EMDR, DBT, CBT, IFS, somatic and polyvagal-informed work, and mindfulness — reaching for whatever feels most useful on any given day. Either way, I follow your lead and trust that you know what you need in any given moment.

  • While I work with a variety of clinical concerns, I'm most passionate about working with adults experiencing persistent mental health challenges, with a specialization in:

    • ADHD

    • PTSD

    • Grief

    • Anxiety

    • Depression

    • Mood disorders

    • Chronic health

    • Life stage changes.

    Other areas I support, include:

    • Anger

    • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

    • Burnout

    • Gender Identity

    • Identity

    • Pregnancy & Postpartum

    • Queer Identity

    • Relationship Issues

    • Self-Esteem

    • Trauma

  • While I love working with people in all seasons of life, I find myself working mist often with:

    • Caregivers

    • Gen X

    • Highly Sensitive People (HSP)

    • LGBTQIA+ Individuals

    • Millennials

    • Mothers/Mothers-to-Be

    • Parents/Parents-to-Be

    • People Pleasers

    • Perfectionists

    • Professionals

    • Women

  • I hold a Master of Social Work from Portland State University and am a Certified Clinical Supervisor with the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers. I'm licensed in Oregon (L14853) and Florida (SW22011).

    I am also a Certified Clinical Supervisor with the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers.

Outside the therapy room, you'll usually find me somewhere in nature. At the Clackamas River on a hot afternoon with my family, floating in the sun, or in my garden with my hands in the dirt. Time outside is how I care for my own nervous system, and create enough capacity to remain grounded, present, and regulated in my work to hold space for yours.

When I'm not outside, I'm loving time with my partner, son, and two border collies, going to the movies, reading too many books at once, collecting records, or fully consumed by whatever my latest band hyperfixation happens to be. I've lived in Portland for over 35 years and still love every chance to explore the PNW.

When I’m not working…

Let’s Work Together!

If something I've shared resonates with you, I'd love to connect. Fill out our online interest form and our admin team will reach out personally to learn more about what you're looking for and help match you with the right therapist. You're also welcome to reach out to me directly at lynn@linkpdx.org with any questions about me or how I work.

Fill Out Our Client Interest Form