Stephen Higgins MSOM, LAc (he/him)
I am a Licensed Acupuncturist, Chinese herbalist, and Counselor.
I have been licensed to practice Chinese medicine in Oregon since 2012 and have pursued training in Body-Centered Psychotherapy (including the Hakomi method) since 2016. When working with counseling clients, I bring a warmhearted approach to the therapeutic relationship through mindfulness-based and somatically-oriented therapy. When treating Chinese medicine patients, I utilize manual therapies like therapeutic touch and acupuncture; employ precise diagnostics including Shen-Hammer Pulse Diagnosis; and I supplement clients’ in-clinic treatments with powerfully effective herbal medicine.
I work well with individuals who want to get to know themselves better, as well as those who are experiencing various forms of physical, mental, and emotional suffering. I have worked with many people who are themselves practitioners, small business owners, and creatives, and I often form longterm care partnerships with my clients.
Education
Counseling
My counseling background includes the META Comprehensive Training, a two-year-long course in Hakomi and allied methods of Mindfulness-Based Somatic Psychotherapy offered through the META Institute/Hakomi Institute of Oregon; I also completed two additional years as a Teaching Assistant at the META Institute. I have completed advanced trainings in Hakomi Therapy, Primary Attachment Psychotherapy, and the Re-Creation of the Self Model of Human Systems (a “parts work” model akin to Internal Family Systems or IFS). I continually receive training and consultation from experienced mentors in the Somatic Psychotherapy field, and I am currently completing a Masters degree in Counseling Education through Adams State University. I have been seeing counseling clients since 2018.
Chinese Medicine
For nearly a decade prior to formally studying Chinese medicine, I devoured books on the subject, received countless treatments, and had the opportunity to form close relationships with practitioner-mentors. I began my formal education at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in 2007, and I hold a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine (MSOM) from the National College of Natural Medicine(NCNM), 2012. I also teach in the field of Chinese medicine, regularly offer case consultation to budding Chinese medicine practitioners, and hold the honor of having been a faculty member at NUNM.
Classical and Modern Chinese
I studied Classical Chinese at NCNM, pursued Post-Baccalaureate coursework in Chinese Language and Literature at Portland State University, and completed intensive immersion-style study of Mandarin and the Classical Chinese language in Taipei, Taiwan at both the International Chinese Language Program (National Taiwan University) and at National Taiwan Normal University. I do not currently, but I may someday begin to offer medical and mental healthcare to Mandarin speakers.
I regularly offer care to people who have experiences of:
Anxiety and Panic
ADHD, Neurodivergence
Depression
Disordered eating
Existential crisis
Trauma and Developmental Trauma (PTSD and CPTSD)
Addiction-related issues
Loneliness
Relationship difficulties
Life transitions
Self-esteem issues
Mood disturbances
Emotional ups and downs
I also have a good track record of treating people who experience:
Musculoskeletal pain (such as low back pain, upper back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, knee pain)
Digestive issues (such as acute gastroenteritis, chronic constipation, chronic diarrhea, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease/gluten sensitivity, and other allergies)
Infertility, painful menstruation, and other gynecological presentations
Insomnia
Cancer and Cancer Treatments like Chemo and Radiation
Chronic UTIs, Prostate enlargement, and urinary difficulties
Tinnitus/Ringing in the ears
Post-surgical and pre-surgical issues such as edema and pain
Migraines and chronic headaches
Heart Disease
Chest pain, Chest tightness, Heart palpitations
Asthma and Shortness of breath
Bleeding disorders
Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder
Addison’s Disease and other Endocrine disorders
Mental and Emotional disorders
I regularly work with:
LGBTQ+ Individuals and Gender-nonconforming Individuals
People who identify as HSPs
People with sexual abuse histories
People with histories of abuse, abandonment, and/or neglect
People who have difficulty connecting with themselves and others
People who find life overwhelming
People who know they have more to offer but aren’t sure how to make that happen
People who don’t know where they fit in
People who are amidst shifts in career and/or other life transitions
People who want to get to know themselves better
People who need a supportive space