Counseling in Salem, OR. Find the Right Therapist.

Related Sites:
City of Salem
Oregon Board of Licensed Professional Counselors and Therapists

Therapy Salem, OR

Counseling East Lancaster, Faye Wright, Grant, Highland, Lansing, Northgate, Sunnyslope, Morningside

The name Salem comes from the words in Arabic and Hebrew that mean peace. The Salem Civic Center has a space dedicated to the peace plaza and pays tribute to the various names the city has been known by over the years. Salem is one of the western most state capitals in the United States. It was founded on agriculture and agriculture continues to be a staple of the local area. With its coastal climate that has just the right balance of sun and rain and growing temperature the region is a boon to cherry farmers. There are 350,000 people in the greater Salam metro area and 150,000 of those live in Salem proper. The population density of Salem is 2,994 people per square mile with 32,331 families living in the city. The original inhabitants of Salem were Native Americans and they called the city Chemeketa which when translated means meeting or resting place.¹ Salem's public school system for children has 39,000 students making it the second largest public school system in the state of Oregon.

Mental Health in Salem

Individuals who care for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease can join one of the Alzheimer Network of Salem's support groups. These groups provide emotional support and guidance from others that have gone through a similar experience. Participants learn effective methods of dealing with the day-to-day struggles that their loved one has because of their condition. Caregivers also learn that they are not alone in this experience. Groups meet once monthly. Call 503-364-8100 to register.²

Salem residents who experience a mental health emergency can seek help at the Psychiatric Crisis Center at the Salem Hospital. The Crisis Center provides intervention and programs 24-hours a day, seven days a week. One-on-one crisis counseling is provided at the center and over the phone. Staff members help de-escalate emergency situations and assist individuals in devising a management plan should a future crisis arise. If you or someone you know needs immediate mental health services, call 503-585-4949.³

Salem Health offers a variety of mental health support groups for adults with a mental illness and their families. The Depression and Bipolar Support Group meets each Wednesday and provides a safe environment in which participants can share feelings and work through emotions. A group for caregivers of the mentally ill is also provided and offers insight into strategies for managing stress. Salem residents with an anxiety or panic disorder can access support groups as well. For more detailed information about these programs, call 503-561-5200.⁴

Current Initiatives

Ensuring that Salem's homeless population has access to social support services is the primary mission of the Homeless Outreach and Advocacy Program. Drop-in centers provide those in need with basic services, including laundry and shower facilities, hygiene products, meals, and clothing. The agency's Healthcare for the Homeless program provides medical and dental services to individuals who live on the street. Crisis intervention services are also available for homeless individuals that suffer from addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders. To inquire about these outreach services or to volunteer, call 503-588-5828.⁵

---

References

1. Salem Public Library. (2006). How Salem Got its Name. Retrieved from http://www.salemhistory.net/brief_history/salem_name.htm
2. Alzheimer Network of Salem. (2017). Support Groups. Retrieved from http://alznet.org/education-support/support-groups/
3. Marion County Government. (2007). Psychiatric Crisis Center. Retrieved from http://www.co.marion.or.us/HLT/MH/pcc/
4. Salem Health. (2016). Mental Health Support Groups. Retrieved from http://www.salemhealth.org/chec/support-groups-mental-health.php
5. Northwest Human Services. (2017). Homeless Outreach and Advocacy Program. Retrieved from http://www.northwesthumanservices.org/HOAP.html

Salem is a city that is located in multiple counties- Marion County and Polk County in Oregon. It has a land area of 48.56 square miles and a water area of 0.55 square miles.  The population of Salem is 164,549 people with 57,729 households and a median annual income of $47,191. .

Therapy Affordability Meter for Salem, OR

Some budgeting needed

While counseling can certainly be an expense for individuals and families in Salem, with proper budgeting, it is entirely do-able and the risk/reward is worth it. For some families, it may be difficult to sustain a commitment to therapy without proper insurance coverage. If this is you, ask your therapist about low cost options as practitoners in and around Salem may have flexibility or sliding scales. Low cost counseling and affordable therapy are also sometimes offered by listed city and university level clinics, check with your local Salem public health department.