Hi, it's nice to meet you!

I'm Jontae Hardaway, and I'm glad you're here.

What is a fun fact about myself?

I won a state championship in wrestling at Cleveland High School. I also wrestled in college during undergrad and graduate school, completing my bachelors at a university in Illinois and my masters at a university here in Oregon. I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, giving me some unique insights into the environment and social culture here. I am also working towards being certified in a niche therapy treatment known as Interpersonal and Social Rhythm therapy, founded by Ellen Frank at the University of Pittsburgh.

What can you expect as my client?

I have a deep understanding for communities facing poverty or the unique challenges of being mixed-race in an all-to-often marginalizing society. As someone who worked closely with marginalized and poverty-stricken populations, I have seen first hand how deflating it can be when advocating for yourself within a convoluted system is not enough. I understand and recognize how important it is to have someone who truly cares walk alongside you throughout your health care journey, whether that be physical or mental health. You can expect me to foster uncompromisable relationships with clients who value a mutually respectful environment, appreciate navigating deep-seated thoughts and being challenged graciously when necessary. My goal is to meet you where you’re at and titrate the pace per your needs and feedback along the way.

Pronouns: He/Him

Who am I outside of therapy?

Outside of the therapy room I am a caring friend, a loving son and a generous brother. My family and friends matter deeply to me, but so does personal development and growth. I am always working on myself as an individual and striving to be the best that I can be, for myself, those dear to me and my clients. I spend ample time working to refine my knowledge and skill sets, whether that be brain training games, studying areas of interest, cooking, fitness or adding to an unabashed and cherished archive of social memories. Friends, family and peers refer to me as an individual full of curiosity. My inquisitive nature is a valuable tool that I bring into the therapy room. My role is to, under the guidance of your request and permission, facilitate a reflective and nurturing environment in which we can bring about change. This unconditional and mutually respectful environment can allow directive towards changing attitudes, actions, thoughts, beliefs, feelings, emotions, or whichever you prefer to work on.

How did I become a therapist?

I became a therapist due to the introspective nature I elicited from a young age, which helped me realize in high school that I was passionate about helping others just as much as I was readily recruited to be a palliative and supportive individual amongst my family and friends. I benefited greatly from therapy throughout my childhood and adolescence by recognizing its importance and taking it seriously. Putting into action techniques that aided my ability to cope, overcome and develop a healthier relationship with myself, exalted self-collaboration over self-condemnation within my mental “hardware” — and I would love to share those same techniques with you, if you’d so allow!

I earned a Bachelors in Psychology from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. I focused on all three concentrations — clinical, social and experimental. I then earned a Masters in Applied Clinical Psychology from Pacific University — a rigorous program with a heavy emphasis on CBT. We sharply focused on cognitive restructuring, controlled exposure and emotional attunement, with some coverage of modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Career counseling and psychological assessment were niches touched on within the program as well. While I am in-tune with these styles, my personal interest and focus on mood disorders led me to adopting Interpersonal Therapy as well as Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy as my main approaches. I have read, researched and presented abundantly about mood disorders and novel treatments for them. I am currently working towards IPT and IPSRT certificates and added-qualifications respectively.

I have extensive experience working with individuals presenting with mood disorders, implementing IPT and IPSRT into my approach frequently. It has been a great joy to see environmental factors gain recognition for their impact on mental health, with measures like the SRM-5-II gaining traction for its benefit in regularizing routines and helping facilitate a stable mood. I also enjoy helping those within the BIPOC community — tantalized by a mixed sense of belonging, and individuals recuperating from chronic pain/illness — switching up protocol to be culturally responsive and adaptive when it best serves clients. I will meet you where you’re at in the healing process with intention, prioritizing validation as much as growth.

I invite and welcome all individuals and intersecting identities to reach out. I have the utmost appreciation and respect for those combatting overlapping and chronically-intertwined physical and mental health challenges. Some of the largest impact I have had in the world of therapy is helping individuals (past clients) navigating mood disorders and struggling to find empowerment under their diagnosis — feel heard, gain self-confidence, foundationalize internal-awareness, decrease dysregulating feelings, adapt to challenges and elevate their quality of life. I hold this accomplishment dear to my heart.