April Jackson, LCSW, MSW She/her

April Jackson is a behavioral and mental health therapist with Women’s Healthcare Associates in Portland, Oregon.

From the Provider

“One of my favorite moments is when someone realizes they finally have a safe space to tell their story. Being trusted with that is something I never take for granted.”

About the Provider

Watching her grandmother’s hospice journey changed the way April thought about healthcare. She saw how compassionate support could bring peace not only to someone nearing the end of life, but to an entire family. Alongside a lifelong curiosity about people, a deep commitment to social justice and a sense of duty she carries as a Black woman, that experience helped lead her to medical social work and the opportunity to be present with people during some of life’s most personal and difficult moments.

Today, April provides behavioral health support for adolescents, adults and older adults experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma and racial stress, along with the many transitions that can accompany reproductive healthcare, including pregnancy, parenting, abortion care and relationship changes. She has a particular interest in supporting women of color, and her work begins with an anti-oppressive lens. From there, she draws on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and somatic interventions to help patients better understand their emotions, reconnect with their bodies and develop practical skills they can use in daily life.

What April loves most is connecting with people. She considers it an honor to be invited into deeply personal parts of someone’s life, especially when they’ve spent years looking for a place where they finally feel safe enough to share their story. As a Black woman, a mom and a Portland native, she strives to be a resource to her community and to embody her values in the way she shows up for patients. She loves helping people recognize the progress they’ve made, often before they can see it themselves, and is always rooting for the people she serves. Whether she’s coordinating care with a medical team, connecting someone with resources or simply listening without judgment, her goal is for every patient to leave feeling more supported than when they arrived.

Outside of work, April enjoys spending time with her son, family and two cats. She loves camping, hiking, swimming and trying new restaurants around the city. She also volunteers with a local domestic violence shelter.