Low-Barrier Mental Health Counseling for Underserved Communities in Portland, OR

Per Mental Health America (MHA), Oregon ranks 51st (including DC) in the prevalence of behavioral health issues and 46th in adult mental health services. It has only one-third of the behavioral health workforce that it needs to meet the need. Over 50% of Oregon's population is based in the Greater Portland Metro Area. 

In the heart of Portland, WTH is offering low-barrier, person-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive mental health services, designed to serve individuals and families navigating deep and intersecting challenges — including poverty, housing insecurity, systemic discrimination, grief, and trauma. With a $5,000 program grant from the Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation, William Temple House (WTH), will strengthen and expand our Mental Health Counseling Program in the Portland-Metro region. 

In FY2024, we supported over 300 unique clients and delivered more than 6,100 hours of accessible therapy. Through this grant, we will further expand our telehealth offerings to reach up to 70 additional individuals annually who face transportation barriers and other access obstacles. Additionally, we will address Oregon’s provider shortage by training cohorts of 21–40 interns each year, with intentional focus on cultivating a diverse provider workforce across racial, ethnic, gender, and lived-experience identities — consistent with DTD’s ethos of “respecting all Life, the Environment, and all People.” 

What sets our work apart is the sustained, accessible nature of the care we provide. Where many providers limit treatment to 3–12 sessions, our clients engage in an average of over 20 sessions — enabling deeper healing and transformational impact. Clients are not required to have insurance, co-pays, or proof of income; in 2024, the average client paid about $1.33 per session, though most paid nothing at all. No one is turned away for inability to pay. Our clinicians draw on a broad spectrum of therapeutic modalities, including Problem-Solving Treatment (PST), cognitive-behavioral approaches, and trauma-informed care, thereby meeting people where they are and guiding them toward resilience.

Looking ahead to FY2026, our Counseling Department will also evaluate our capacity to launch the evidence-based Program to Encourage  Active, Rewarding Lives (PEARLS) initiative, targeted at older adults (60+) and adults with disabilities (18+). This 6-8 session PST-based intervention empowers participants to define problems, generate and execute solutions, and engage in meaningful activities that enhance overall life quality. The structure begins weekly, then tapers to biweekly and monthly sessions over 4-5 months — building skills and confidence while promoting independence. Adaptable, inclusive, and designed to reduce traditional access barriers (insurance gaps, complex systems, geography), this program aligns with DTD’s core belief in anticipating the future and acknowledging our collective capacity to effect change.

Finally, our integrated “wrap-around” model amplifies impact by combining mental health care with essentials such as food, hygiene supplies, clothing, and dedicated 1:1 service navigation — thus meeting people’s holistic needs and removing access barriers. In the past year, our Social Services Coordinator processed 1,183 navigation requests and supported 782 clients with SNAP, OHP, housing, and utility assistance. Our Food Pantry served 3,449 unique individuals across 15,755 visits, distributing over 560,000 pounds of food. By addressing the full spectrum of need, we honor DTD’s vision of a world in which all people are respected and supported as part of “the many, worthy forces for change.” 

In an era of increasing political and structural challenges for marginalized communities, WTH’s affirming, trauma-informed, integrated services provide more than crisis relief — they offer pathways to long-term wellness, stability, and empowerment. With DTD’s support, we will advance a future in which each person we serve is seen, respected, and equipped to flourish.