Jeffrey L. Rogers

MA in Counseling Psychology ’04, self-employed private practice and volunteer at Portland Vet Center

Tell us a little about yourself.

In my private practice I see adult clients with a variety of presenting issues. Before getting my counseling degree I practiced law for 30 years and many of my current clients are lawyers. I also spend two days a week volunteering as a counselor at the Portland Vet Center where I see combat veterans with PTSD. That work has special meaning for me, in part because I am a Vietnam veteran. I find great satisfaction in my second career as a professional counselor.

Can you describe a moment where you feel like really made a difference for someone?

There are so many moments in this business where you feel like you’ve changed something or—to put it more accurately—helped the person change something for themselves. It’s hard to single out any one. There are clients, especially veterans, who often say “You’ve saved my life,” and when you hear a client say that … I don’t think I need to explain how that feels. That’s pretty amazing. That happens more than you might expect, especially with the combat veteran population.

What was the most important thing you learned in your graduate program?

A deeply caring, genuine, empathetic, accepting professional relationship with each client is vastly more important than philosophy, theory, or technique.

Learn more about becoming a counselor at Lewis & Clark.