Hi there.
Whether you’re scoping out options for a loved one or looking for therapy yourself, I’m glad you’re here.
I’m Spencer Wharton (he/they). I do therapy. Specifically, I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor in Salem, Oregon, where I work with individual adult clients. In my office, I help clients who are stuck in the shadow of shame and self-hatred, who feel like outsiders. You deserve to step out of the dark and live your life in full color, and I want to help you do that.
As a therapist, I aim to serve LGBTQ+ clients, as well as clients in the kinky, ethically nonmonogamous, or polyamorous communities, with knowledge and acceptance. Finding a therapist is hard enough in general; nobody should also have to worry that their identity, sexuality, or style of relationships will be unfairly treated as a clinical issue. In our work, we’ll use the name, pronouns, and words to describe your life that feel right to you, and we’ll focus on the problems that matter—the ones that keep you from living your best life.
Who is Spencer?
Outside of the therapy office, I’m a parent and a spouse. I play nerdy board games and tinker with electronics and computers. I love hiking and camping, listening to thought-provoking podcasts, and watching YouTube video essays. I value my community, and spend a lot of time thinking about how we can make a kinder, more just world.
My values of empowerment, agency, and compassion drive almost everything I do.
Therapy with me starts with acceptance.
I want to get to know you, to understand your values, priorities, and history, so we can work together as a team. You may not see it yet, but I believe there is a vibrancy within you, and I can’t wait to find it together.
There is no pretense here. You can show up exactly as you are—whatever you’re carrying is welcome. And yes, since you’re wondering, you can swear in therapy.
We’ll start by understanding the problems that are bringing you in and building a roadmap for our work. After that, we’ll get to work, learning and practicing the skills that will help you live a full-color life.
Clinical Experience
Prism Counseling
Acceptance-focused therapy for adults (2024–).
North Albany Wellness Center
Individual therapy for children and adults (2019–2024).
Frontier Behavioral Health
Therapy, group work, and community support for adults experiencing severe mental health challenges (2017–2018).
Practicum and Internship
Mental health support, assessment, and individual counseling for youth and adults at a community college and a private counseling clinic (2015–2017).
Education
- Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Gonzaga University (2017)
- Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Whitman College (2013)
Licensing
- Oregon Licensed Professional Counselor #C5678
Think we’d work well together?