Thomas Stafford

MS, PCA, NCC

Salem, Oregon, United States

About

I’m a Professional Counselor Associate in Oregon with a master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and I’ve always been drawn to people whose stories are layered, complex, and sometimes heavy. Moving from the Rocky Mountains to the high desert and now the Oregon coast has shaped the way I see people and the way I practice. Each place taught me something about resilience, quiet strength, and the ways we learn to adapt. Wilds Within Counseling grew out of that. It’s a nature‑rooted, radically inclusive space for adults who’ve felt misdiagnosed, overlooked, or misunderstood. I focus on diagnostic clarity, mindfulness‑based work, and trauma‑informed care, but at the core, I’m helping people make sense of what they’ve lived through. I see symptoms as survival strategies, not personal failures, and I help clients reclaim their stories with clarity and compassion. Outside of sessions, I’m a mental health advocate for neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ communities, a lifelong musician who still chases half‑written songs, and someone who loves creating simple, grounded designs in forest green and old‑paper tan. Whether I’m building a brand that feels like home or sitting with someone in a hard moment, my work is always about presence, precision, and belonging. I bring clinical rigor, but I also bring warmth, humor, and metaphor. My goal is to create a space where people feel safe enough to be honest, supported enough to try again, and understood enough to believe that healing is possible.

Experience

  • Mental Health Counselor at Wilds Within Counseling
    Sep 2025 - Present · 11 mos

  • Mental Health Counselor at Mindful Therapy Group
    Aug 2025 - Present · 1 yr

  • Licensed Mental Health Counselor at Inclusive Therapy Group
    Feb 2025 - Sep 2025 · 8 mos

  • One Love Agency (Boise, Idaho, United States)
    • Professional Counselor
      Sep 2024 - Feb 2025 · 6 mos

    • Counseling Intern
      Sep 2023 - Sep 2024 · 1 yr 1 mo

    • Case Manager / Community Based Rehabilitation Services / Peer Support Specialist
      Dec 2019 - Sep 2024 · 4 yrs 10 mos

  • Director Of Operations at NAMI Treasure Valley
    Sep 2020 - Jun 2021 · 10 mos