Chelsey Torgerson

Dr. Chelsey Torgerson is a therapist, educator, clinical supervisor, and researcher with a passion for training the next generation of family therapists to be addiction-informed, trauma-centered, and culturally responsive practitioners. Dr. Torgerson holds the AAMFT Approved Supervisor designation and is an Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate and a Certified Addictions Counselor (CADC III) in the state of Oregon. Dr. Torgerson uses her clinical experiences to inform her teaching, research projects, and community training opportunities for clinical professionals and the general public.

Personal Statement

Operating within a self-of-the-therapist framework, I firmly believe that in order to be effective therapists, we must stand in our own humanity to bear witness to the humanity of others. I care less about the regurgitation of information in the classroom and care more about curiosity, exploration, flexibility, and integration as we learn from each other. I teach MCFT concepts through a broader sociological and contemporary issues lens, encouraging students to expand the ways in which they think, integrate, and apply knowledge and skills into their clinical work.

Areas of Expertise

Rural mental health

Addiction and recovery

Substance use in family systems

Current Research

Dr. Torgerson is interested in using scientific inquiry to understand how to promote community-wide healing from systemic disparities such as intergenerational trauma, poverty, historical and cultural trauma, and substance use. She is also interested in training practices that prepare graduate students to meet the needs of clients in their communities.

Publications

Torgerson, C., *Taylor, N., Hughes, M., Chapman, K., & Kennel, J. (2025). Mental Health Symptoms, Stressors, and Coping: An Exploration of First Responder Experiences Working in Rural, Suburban, and Urban Areas . International Journal of Paramedicine, (11), 16–35. https://doi.org/10.56068/SCUS4555

Scroggs, B., Love, H. A., Torgerson, C., & Rosenberger, J. G. (2023). Substance use in sexual minority emerging adults: Insights into use by pansexual and asexual individuals. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000647

Scroggs, B. W., Love, H. A., & Torgerson, C. N. (2020). COVID-19 and LGBTQ emerging adults: Risk in the face of social distancing. Emerging Adulthood. DOI: 10.1177/2167696820968699

Torgerson, C. N, Love, H., & Vennum, A. (2018). The buffering effect of belonging on the negative association of childhood trauma with adult mental health and risky alcohol use. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 88, 44-50. doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2018.02.005.

Love, H. A., & Torgerson, C. N. (2018). Traumatic experiences in childhood and adult substance use in a nonclinical sample: The mediating role of arousal/reactivity. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy.https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12348

Torgerson, C. N. (2018). Road map to recovery: An expressive arts therapy intervention. Alcohol Treatment Quarterly, 36(2), 286-290. https://doi.org/10.1080/07347324.2017.1407223

Presentations

de León, A. & Torgerson, C. N. (2025, May). Substance Use and Addiction Treatment Essentials for Every Mental Health Practitioner. Presented through the Center for Community Engagement, Portland, OR.

Torgerson, C. N. (2024, July). The Need for Cultural Humility in Providing Quality Behavioral Health Services: From Direct Client Care to Administrative Services. Presented at Cultural Awareness Training at KBBH, Klamath Falls, OR.

Torgerson, C. N. & Mullet, N. D. (2024, May). Preparing Addictions-Informed, Culturally Responsive MFTs and Clinical Supervisors. Workshop presented during the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Minority Fellowship Program Doctoral Training Institute, Washington DC.

Torgerson, C. N. (2023, August). Becoming Culturally Responsive Therapists through Self-of-the-Therapist Work. Presented at Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee, OK.

Soni-Michaels, K. & Torgerson, C. N. (2022, October). Decolonizing self care: Empowering clinician development through cultural identity exploration. Workshop presented during the Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (WACES) Annual Conference, Portland, OR.

Torgerson, C. N. (2020, October - 2021, March). Becoming Culturally Responsive Behavioral Health Professionals: Context, Communities, and Behavioral Health Care. Presented at monthly Cultural Awareness Training at KBBH, Klamath Falls, OR.

Academic Credentials

2018 – PhD in Human Ecology with a specialization in Couple and Family Therapy from Kansas State University

2015 – MA in Marriage and Family Therapy with a Graduate Certificate in Addictions Counseling from Appalachian State University

2009 – BS in Sociology with a Minor in Health Communication from North Dakota State University