Health and Counseling Services

Division of Student Life

Counseling Services

Counseling Services offers short-term, solution-focused counseling sessions. Students who wish to access longer-term individual therapy services or present with treatment concerns that exceed the Center's capacity to provide ethically competent care, as determined by the treating clinician, will be referred to appropriate community providers. Such students will be offered a case management appointment to facilitate the referral process. Mental health services can be conducted via Zoom platform or in-person. HCC counselors are available for same-day urgent and emergent mental health needs. Call 503-777-7281 to schedule an appointment or walk-in during business hours (Monday - Friday, 9 am to 5 pm; closed for lunch 12 pm - 1 pm). Also see the HCC's directory of community mental health providers (Reed login required).

24/7 Crisis Counseling is available after-hours. For the Reed Counseling Hotline, call 866-432-1224 (FAQs).

Uwill

The Reed Health and Counseling Center has partnered with Uwill to expand its mental health support for all currently enrolled students. There is no cost to use Uwill, and the college will provide students with 360 counseling credits for their sessions (up to 12 teletherapy sessions per calendar year). Students are able to choose a time that fits their schedule with day, night and weekend availabiliy. Students are also able to choose their appointment type, by video, phone, chat, or message.

Access is quick and easy. Register and book your first session. If you need any assistance, you can refer to the Uwill FAQ or reach out directly to Uwill at 833.99.Uwill or support@uwill.com.

Mission Statement

The role of the Reed College Counseling Services department is to provide mental health counseling and related services to Reed College students to identify barriers, improve coping, and support and facilitate personal and academic growth.

Diversity Mission Statement

The Health and Counseling Center (HCC) embraces the inherent value of diversity and endeavors to promote a safe environment that respects and upholds the dignity and civil rights of all persons. The HCC acknowledges the injustice and profound impact of discrimination and marginalization of individuals and groups. We strive to promote students’ ongoing academic personal, and multicultural growth. We welcome dialogue of varying perspectives as we continue to expand our self-awareness and understanding of how diversity influences concepts of a holistic health and wellness practice.

Goal of Services

Counseling Services operates within a short-term model of individual treatment, in order to maximize our resources in meeting student counseling needs. The primary goal is to improve students’ resilience, expand students’ repertoire of coping strategies, and empower students to overcome barriers to success. Students seeking counseling will typically be scheduled for a triage appointment to determine whether the issue falls within the scope of Counseling Services, or whether the issue necessitates a referral to the community.

In addition to addressing the mental health needs of our student clients, Counseling Services also serves the Reed community, including:

  • Providing consultation to Reed community members on mental health issues and concerns.
  • Facilitating supportive outreach/debriefing to the Reed College community following tragic or critical incidents involving students or staff.
  • Providing prevention and wellness programming to improve academic performance and enhance overall well-being.
  • Conducting training on mental health matters to college departments and groups, including QPR Suicide Prevention Training.

Issues commonly addressed through brief individual or group counseling:

  • Mood or self-esteem (depression, anxiety, self-esteem, social anxiety).
  • Relationship issues (conflicts, assertiveness, communication, break-ups, etc.).
  • Academic-related issues (self-discipline, motivation, perfectionism).
  • Grief and loss.
  • Adjustment (coping with new life circumstances, dealing with transitions).
  • Trauma, sexual assault.

Issues usually addressed through referral to providers in the community:

  • Individuals with chronic mental health conditions that require longer-term, ongoing psychotherapy.
  • Addictions and substance abuse treatment.
  • Significant or chronic disordered eating symptoms posing medical instability or functional impairment.
  • Clinical presentations, such as some personality disorders, that indicate short-term therapy may be ineffective and/or detrimental.
  • A need or desire to be seen more frequently than Counseling Services can accommodate.
  • A history of multiple psychiatric hospitalizations, chronic suicidality and/or self-injury behaviors; history of repeated suicide attempts.
  • Family counseling.
  • Psychotic symptoms without medical stabilization.

What we do

  • Talk with you about resources available to you both on and off campus
  • Provide referrals to counseling and/or psychiatry services in the Portland community, if needed
  • Crisis support
  • Group counseling, workshops, forums
  • Mental health medication management

We DO NOT

  • Perform psychological testing or IQ testing or ADHD evaluations
  • Provide court-ordered evaluations or treatment
  • Authorize emotional support, or services animals

Group counseling, workshops, and forums

HCC Workshops Groups 2023