Stephen Higgins MSOM, LAc (he/him)

Stephen Higgins MSOM, LAc | Dragon Rises Center for Wholeness in Portland, Oregon

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