Frequently Asked Questions About Our Services

How do I know if I need therapy or if it will help me?
Choosing to enter psychotherapy is always a personal decision. If you feel that it might help to have a caring and knowledgeable person to talk about a problem, are feeling stuck, or just don’t what to do to deal with your current situation, then psychotherapy is probably worth considering. When you set up an initial consultation with our clinicians, they will conduct a comprehensive assessment looking at factors such as your current functioning, past psychological difficulties, family history, and your medical history. In collaboration with you, this assessment will be used to guide treatment planning. To schedule an initial consultation please call 503-281-4852.

How much does therapy cost?
The cost of individual therapy at the center varies by therapist. We accept many forms of insurance and also see a number of clients at a reduced fee for those with no insurance and who are in financial need.

Will insurance pay for treatment?
Yes, frequently insurance will cover a significant portion of the cost of therapy. However, every insurance plan is different and trying to determine exactly what your plan will cover can be tricky. We will be happy to call your insurance company for you to determine exactly what your copay and deductible will be. We will also get preauthorization for you if that is required by your plan. We bill most major insurance companies including Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Aetna, PacificSource, United Healthcare, ODS, and Cigna.

What kind of therapy is done at Portland Psychotherapy?
At Portland Psychotherapy we specialize in using evidence-based treatments for psychological disorders and life difficulties. This means that the work we do if informed by science and has been shown to be effective in research studies. Several therapist at the Portland Psychotherapy practice a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which has been shown to be an effective treatment for a variety of psychological problems including depression and anxiety. For more information on ACT click here.

How do I decide what therapist to see?
The match between a client and his or her therapist is one of the most important predictors of whether or not therapy will be beneficial. Because of this, Portland Psychotherapy is committed to helping you find a therapist with whom you feel there is a good match, whether that is one of us at Portland Psychotherapy or helping to find a referral to one of our many respected colleagues in the greater Portland area. After reading a little about each of the therapists, if you find one that seems like a potential good fit, please call 503-281-4852 to schedule an intake session. If no one here seems like they could be a match for what you are looking for, feel free to call us and we will try to find an appropriate referral for you with another provider in the area.

What types of problems do you work with?
We have therapists who work with people with a wide range of difficulties. You can read more about our specialties here.

What about medication?
Portland Psychotherapy specializes in evidence-based psychotherapy. While we do not prescribe medications at Portland Psychotherapy, we do work with several psychiatrists in the area when medication might be an appropriate component to the treatment.

How frequent are sessions and how long will therapy last?
The answer to those questions depends on many factors. Most commonly, people come to therapy once a week for either a 45-minute or 60-minute session, although again, that can vary. Therapy lasts for however long is it useful, which can be anywhere from a few sessions to several years. At Portland Psychotherapy we work collaboratively with our clients and you can discuss these treatment planning questions together with your therapist.

Will my partner/spouse/boss/parent find out that I am in therapy?
No, unless you explicitly give your written consent to have us provide them with information. What is discussed in therapy is confidential and private. By law it is illegal for your therapist or anyone else at Portland Psychotherapy to disclose any information about you without your written consent except under a few very specific circumstance (for example, in cases of imminent risk of suicide). This includes not disclosing information to partners, spouses, employers or parents (for individuals over age 15) no matter who is paying for treatment. Confidentiality and the limits to confidentiality will be explained to you in detail before you even begin therapy so that you can feel confident that the information you discuss with your therapist will be private.

How confidential is therapy?
At Portland Psychotherapy, we believe your confidentiality and privacy is extremely important. We will do all we can to protect within the bounds of the law. To read more about times when your information may not be private, see this webpage.

How will I know if the clinic is closed during winter or other inclement weather?
Any time you are uncertain whether the clinic will be open due to bad weather, visit our Inclement Winter Weather Cancellations and Closings page.

What Makes Us Unique

Portland Psychotherapy is a clinic, research & training center with a unique business model that funds scientific research. This results in a team of therapists who are exceptionally well-trained and knowledgeable about their areas of specialty.