University of Portland's Counseling Services staff stand in support of our Black students and against systemic racism. We recognize the negative effect oppression has on mental health and offer the following support resources:
The Health and Counseling Center staff believe that understanding and addressing concepts in multicultural psychology, including the effects of oppression, intercultural communication, racial trauma, microaggressions and forms of institutional power, are fundamental to providing ethical and competent counseling services. The staff’s graduate-level curriculum was infused with focused trainings, discussions, and supervision on working effectively with people of color. Additionally, our licensed staff must fulfill continuing education requirements every two years on diversity topics pertaining to multicultural counseling and mental health. Our current staff have worked closely with marginalized populations both on college campuses and in the community.
Our staff has specific training and experience in working with:
Regardless of our staff's level of expertise, experience, and deep commitment to equity and social justice, it is important to acknowledge that we are working toward greater staff diversity through active recruitment of therapists of color. We hold a lifelong commitment to humbly listening to our students, advocating for their needs, participating in ongoing training, and progressing towards justice and healing for our community.
Confidential mental health evaluations are available at no cost to all students enrolled full time at the University of Portland. Brief individual counseling may be appropriate based on the initial evaluation. Due to our model, assistance with transitioning to an off campus mental health provider may also be provided. Additionally, students can access an after hours counselor and more information on this service can be found here. Students who are looking to begin care with an outside provider are encouraged to visit the Psychology Today webpage and select the ‘Find a Therapist’ tab.
All counseling appointments are free of charge. This includes consultation and any follow-up appointments you and your clinician schedule. First visits are considered a consultation. These appointments last about 20 minutes and include an evaluation based on your immediate concerns and time to develop a plan for care.
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, all counseling services are offered via phone counseling sessions. For students residing in Oregon, phone counseling sessions are available with a HCC clinician. For students who are outside the state of Oregon, transitional phone counseling services are available. This service includes 2-3 phone sessions & assistance finding a provider in their area of residence. Please see the Self-Help Resource Page for additional support during the time of Covid-19.
To schedule an appointment with us, you can call 503.943.7134. Depending on our level of demand and flexibility within your schedule, we will work with you to find a day and time that fits your availability. Same day appointments are also available on a daily basis for individuals experiencing a mental health emergency. If you are requesting a same day appointment, we will ask you to fill out some brief paperwork so we can better understand your needs.
Notes about phone counseling sessions with an HCC provider:
If you need to cancel an appointment, please call at your earliest convenience, but no fewer than 24 hours before your scheduled appointment time. We value this notice as it allows another student to utilize the appointment slot.
In an effort to accommodate the needs of all students seeking counseling, most therapy is considered short-term (a couple weeks to a couple months). This length of counseling is effective and it is not unusual for significant change to occur in a few sessions, even for problems that seem complicated. In cases when specialized care or long term care for more persistent mental health concerns is more appropriate, or based on clinician discretion, our staff will assist you with a referral to an off-campus resource. We do not keep a referral list. If you have additional questions, please call to schedule a consultation appointment.
Being trusted to manage your own counseling appointments is a privilege. Most of our students manage this responsibility well and are able to take advantage of the opportunity for on-campus counseling. However, if a student develops a pattern of repeatedly no-showing or canceling appointments in less than 24 hours, we reserve the right to revoke a student’s ongoing appointment privileges. In these cases, students are still able to access urgent care via a consultation or same day appointment. Future ongoing care would be reevaluated.
University of Portland
5000 N. Willamette Blvd.,
Portland, Oregon 97203-5798
503.943.8000
