The Psychological Service Center (PSC) operates from an evidence-based treatment philosophy. That is, we have a professional and ethical responsibility to provide our clients with the best possible treatment to match their needs. See this link to the American Psychological Association for the official guidelines: http://www.apa.org/ethics/code2002.html

To this end, our clinicians:
- Are up to date on state-of-the-art therapeutic interventions
- Receive specific initial and on-going training and supervision in evidence-based interventions
- Personalize evidence-based interventions to meet the unique needs of each client
- Carefully and appropriately assess client progress to ensure that client needs are met.

Treatment at the PSC involves the following steps:

Phone Screen
Callers requesting services talk to a clinician who asks some questions to assess the match between our services and caller needs. Callers either receive an appointment for intake or a referral to more appropriate services.

Intake Assessment
- Interview
- Comprehensive initial interview to assess reasons for seeking treatment, goals for therapy, and
   diagnosis.
- Baseline Questionnaires:
Several questionnaires are used to collect additional information about the nature and severity of presenting concerns and to provide a baseline or comparison point for treatment progress.

Treatment Planning
Based on this initial assessment and further discussion between the client and therapist, a treatment plan is collaboratively developed by the 4th session. This treatment plan involves specific treatment goals, interventions, and outcome measurement. Both therapist and client participate in the creation of the treatment plan. This plan becomes the flexible road map for treatment. If a client’s needs or wishes change, the treatment plan also changes.

Treatment
Treatment usually involves:
- Weekly 1 hour sessions with the therapist
- Weekly questionnaire assessment based on the treatment plan
- Between-session homework to enhance progress
Although treatment length typically varies from 5 to 20 sessions according to client needs, the
majority of our clients who are in treatment 12 or more sessions improve significantly; whereas,
those who leave treatment prematurely are less likely to have a favorable outcome (Ey, Truax,
& Henning, 2005 * link to ).

Graduation
Treatment conclusion is a collaborative decision between therapist and client based on goal progress and client wishes. The final phase of treatment may involve a reduced frequency of   sessions and a focus on increasing client independence. Ultimately, our goal is that clients will become their own therapists!
 

 
511 SW 10th Ave, Suite 400
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 352-2400