About

  Dr. Tayson Heward ND LAc is a licensed primary care physician, naturopathic doctor and practitioner of Chinese medicine who recently has been added to the team at Shen Mental Health and Wellness. He has spent his career specializing in multiple medical fields to offer an integrative approach in patient’s primary care and mental health, allowing patients to have multiple treatment options for ailments that span both modern and ancient medical knowledge. He focuses on how our mental health plays a key role in the development of physical ailments, and the effects of trauma on the body. He offers a whole person approach to his care and understands that chronic ailments typically involve many different systems of the body.

I am a board certified Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Oregon. I offer individual therapy for a wide array of behavioral and emotional issues that people struggle with today. I strive to cultivate a safe, non-judgmental and compassionate space for you to work through these struggles. Everyday stressors have substantial emotional and physical effects on the body and can be treated effectively using various holistic counseling techniques. I love to help clients find their path of healing through these issues, all while establishing an easy feel to our sessions. 

I am a board certified Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Oregon (and soon Washington). I am trained in Expressive Arts Therapy and Clinical Hypnosis and am motivated to help people nurture their innate vitality through authentic expression. Born and raised in Hong Kong, I am bilingual in both Cantonese and English. I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in social work and social research at Portland State University and am an instructor of social work practice. 

I see the path to healing as a mythic journey towards inner wholeness. With an integrated and holistic approach, I focused on anxiety, depression, PTSD/CPTSD, and addictions related to issues around spirituality, migration and culture, and major life transitions. I am also experienced working with Veterans (of any discharge conditions) and their family members. 

I will honor your inner work with curiosity, solidarity, and compassion through creative exploration and concrete techniques. I love co-creating ways of healing with clients that are animated with cross-cultural perspectives, art, and philosophy in an easy and fun atmosphere. When I can, I delight in solitude, nature, stories, decorating my nest, singing (mostly to my cat children), and snuggles with my three cats and human partner. I look forward to learning how you and I can work together to cultivate new possibilities in your life!

I am an experienced clinician and systems-level coordinator with over 25 years supporting children, youth, and families across mental health, child welfare, and juvenile court settings. I have a strong foundation in direct clinical practice using solution-focused, strengths-based, Motivational Interviewing, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approaches. I am adept at trauma-informed assessment, therapeutic intervention, family engagement, and cross-system collaboration. Known for building trusting relationships, delivering effective evidence-based interventions, and leading initiatives that improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families.