Researched data on this topic, every figure links to its source.
Community
Multnomah County runs a free, 24/7 Behavioral Health Crisis Line (503-988-4888) offering phone counseling, referrals, and dispatch of Project Respond mobile crisis teams; Spanish line is 503-988-4853.
Multnomah County is a designated Mental Health HPSA for its Medicaid-eligible population (HPSA score 15, designated Nov 2021), one signal of unmet local need for mental health providers.
Cascadia Health, headquartered in Portland, is Oregon's largest community provider of mental health and addiction treatment, serving more than 18,000 Oregonians.
Portland's Unity Center for Behavioral Health, a collaboration of OHSU, Legacy, Kaiser and Adventist with 80 adult and 22 adolescent beds, opened in 2017 as Oregon's first dedicated psychiatric emergency facility.
Across Oregon there were 129 designated mental health care HPSAs, with only about 30% of the population's need for mental health providers met statewide.
How do I use Oregon Counselors Directory filters to find a therapist in Portland?
On the Portland search page, you can filter providers by specialty, insurance plan, session format (in-person or telehealth), and fee type. Selecting multiple filters at once narrows results to providers who match all chosen criteria. After identifying a provider, review their full profile and contact their office directly to confirm availability and current accepted plans.
Which Portland therapists accept Oregon Health Plan (OHP) or Medicaid?
hundreds of therapists listed in Portland accept Oregon Health Plan (OHP/Medicaid). To find them, use the insurance filter on the Portland search page and select OHP or Medicaid. Confirm coverage with the provider's office before your first appointment, as plan participation can change.
How many Portland therapists offer telehealth sessions?
thousands of Portland therapists offer telehealth. Telehealth sessions are conducted by video or phone and may be available to Oregon residents regardless of their location within the state. Use the telehealth filter on Oregon Counselors Directory to view only providers offering remote sessions.
What should I expect during a first therapy session in Portland?
A first session typically involves the therapist gathering background information about your current concerns, personal history, and goals. It is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the therapist's approach and experience. Most first sessions last 45 to 60 minutes. No specific preparation is required, though some providers send intake forms in advance.
How do sliding scale fees work, and how many Portland therapists offer them?
Sliding scale fees are session rates adjusted based on a client's income or financial situation. The therapist sets the range and determines eligibility. Many providers in Portland list sliding scale fees. Contact those providers directly to ask about their specific fee range and how income is verified.
Thousands of mental health therapists listed on Oregon Counselors practice in Portland, Oregon. Of those, many accept Oregon Health Plan (OHP/Medicaid), and many offer telehealth sessions. A smaller subset, many providers, offer sliding scale fees based on income. Portland's listed therapists cover a wide range of specialties. The most common include telehealth services (thousands of providers), family therapy (thousands of providers), cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT (thousands of providers), LGBTQ+-affirming care (thousands of providers), and trauma and PTSD treatment (hundreds of providers). Profiles on Oregon Counselors Directory include each provider's accepted insurance plans, session formats, specialties, and contact information. Filters on the search page allow you to narrow results by insurance type, specialty, fee structure, and telehealth availability. Provider information is updated regularly, but confirming details directly with a therapist's office before scheduling is recommended, as availability and accepted plans can change.