Counseling

New counseling patients can now schedule a first consultation appointment through the Secure Patient Portal! Login and select "Check-in or Make an Appointment" to get started.


Confidential mental health evaluations and support 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. 

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all regular counseling services are offered in a hybrid model, using a combination of teletherapy (phone and/or Zoom) and in-person therapy.

  • For students residing in Oregon, counseling sessions are available with a UP counselor. Let your counselor know if you prefer your sessions via phone call or Zoom.
  • For students who are outside the state of Oregon, transitional phone counseling services are available. This service includes 2-3 phone sessions and assistance with finding a provider in your area of residence. 

Additionally, all active students can access the Pilot Helpline (on-call counselor) from anywhere at any time of day or night. Click here for more information about the Pilot Helpline.


Schedule a Counseling Appointment

New counseling patients can now schedule a first consultation appointment through the Secure Patient Portal!
All other appointments for counseling services are scheduled via phone. To schedule an appointment, please call the Health Center at 503.943.7134.

If you do not have access to a phone, please email us at hcc@up.edu. Messages are typically responded to within one business day. If you leave a voicemail, please state your name and call back number in your message.

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm, closed for lunch daily from 12:00pm to 1:00pm

Questions? Send us an email at hcc@up.edu or call us at 503.943.7134. Please leave a detailed voice message with your name and a call back number.

What happens when I call to make a counseling appointment?

  1. Reception will ask you if you have seen a counselor at UP before.
    If this is your first time making a counseling appointment at UP, we will schedule you for a consultation appointment (step 2)
    If you have previously met with a counselor at UP, we will try to connect you with the same counselor (step 3)
  2. A consultation appointment is a first time phone call with a counselor lasting about 20 minutes. The consult includes an evaluation based on your immediate concerns and time to develop a plan for care. This would be the time to determine if future sessions at UP will be beneficial to you.
  3. Depending on how long it's been since your last visit, we will either schedule you for a new consultation, or another full session with your counselor.

Click here for a guide on accessing mental health care in college.

Notes about counseling sessions with an UP Counselor:

  • Students must complete an online confidentiality & consent to treatment form prior to their first consult appointment. This can be found in your Secure Patient Portal under "Medical Clearances".
  • When scheduling your appointment, please provide a phone number the counselor can use to contact you regarding future sessions. 
  • (For phone appointments only:) The counselor will call you at the time of your scheduled appointment. You do not have to check-in for the appointment online or in-person.
  • All counseling appointments are free of charge, regardless of your insurance status. This includes consultations and any follow-up sessions.


Same Day Counseling Appointments

Same day crisis counseling appointments are available twice a day during business hours. If you are requesting a same day appointment, we will ask you to answer some brief questions so we can better understand your needs.

Same day crisis appointments are available to students who are experiencing active suicidal or homicidal ideation, recent oppression or discrimination based on a marginalized identity, recent death of a loved one, and to students who have experienced sexual assault or other interpersonal violence.

If you need to speak with a counselor urgently at any time, you may call the Health Center at 503.943.7134, and choose option 3 in our voicemail to be connected with the Pilot Helpline (on-call counselor). 


Cancellation & No-Show Policy

If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, we appreciate at least 24 hours notice before your scheduled appointment time. We value this notice, as it allows another student to utilize the appointment time.

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 with less than 24 hours notice, we reserve the right to revoke a student’s ongoing appointment privileges. In these cases, students are still able to access care via a consultation or same day appointment. Future ongoing care would be reevaluated.