Abby Hughes – True Heart Therapy

Hi, it's nice to meet you!

I'm Abby Hughes, and I'm glad you're here.

What is a fun fact about myself?
Solo travel has always been a powerful part of my life. It’s a profound source of empowerment, creativity, and aliveness — a feeling I intend to continue seeking, exploring, and nurturing.

What can you expect as my client?

This is a space where you don’t have to edit yourself. Whatever’s present — the tangled thoughts, the loud feelings, the quiet parts you’re still trying to understand — it’s all welcome here. You don’t need to have it figured out. You don’t have to filter, shrink, or perform here.

I see emotions not as problems to fix, but as signals worth listening to. Together, we’ll slow things down and make room for what’s been pushed aside or silenced. I’ll reflect what I notice with care and curiosity — including patterns, beliefs, or survival strategies that might be shaping how you move through the world.

Most importantly, I work from a foundation of anti-oppression, and affirm all identities and expressions — queer, trans, nonbinary, poly, kinky, sex-positive, fat-positive, neurodivergent — none of who you are needs to be left at the door. I’m always open to exploring how our identities — whether they overlap or differ — shape the space we’re creating together. It’s in that awareness that deeper trust and more meaningful work can grow.

Pronouns: She/Her

Who am I outside of therapy?

Outside of therapy, I work as a barista and have a deep love for all things coffee and community. When I’m not at work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, painting, and writing poetry. Music is a big part of my life, and I proudly embrace my inner Swiftie!

How did I become a therapist?

Becoming a therapist has felt less like learning a new language and more like remembering one I’ve always known — something I’ve felt in my body, witnessed in my own family, and carried with me long before I had the words for it. My personal experiences growing up in a family marked by addiction and mental health conditions have profoundly shaped the way I think about people, systems, and healing. I don’t separate my clinical lens from my lived experience; they are braided together. I’ve had to unlearn stories that were never mine to carry, and that journey informs my commitment to helping others do the same.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Portland State University and am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Marriage, Couples, and Family Therapy at Lewis & Clark College. My graduate training has grounded me in a relational approach to therapy. This means that whether we’re exploring addiction, trauma, family-of-origin dynamics, identity development, conflict, stress, or life transitions, I’m always holding curiosity about how these experiences impact your relationships — with others and with yourself.

My background includes working with children and adolescents on the autism spectrum in a community-based summer program, where we engaged in outings to places like local parks, libraries, and swimming pools. I’ve also gained valuable experience in residential treatment settings, supporting both adolescents and adults navigating eating disorders. Additionally, I spent
time as an au pair for a neurodivergent family of four in England — an experience that deepened my understanding of neurodiversity within family systems. Outside of clinical spaces, I stay connected to my community through my work at a small, local coffee shop, where I find joy in everyday acts of service and connection.

I’m particularly drawn to working with individuals exploring their relationship to body image, as well as those impacted by fatphobia and the pervasive messages of diet culture. I also hold space for those navigating the complexities of loving someone with addiction — whether as a partner, friend, or family member. I’m interested in supporting couples who are seeking deeper connection, more expansive communication, and a broader understanding of each other’s inner
worlds. I’m equally passionate about working with parents and teens as they navigate the evolving landscape of their relationship. While these are areas of special interest, I welcome the opportunity to work with a wide range of individuals, couples, and families — anyone curious about themselves, their relationships, and what it means to feel more fully connected.