Western's School Based Program (SBP) is committed to providing quality, professional, and consistent therapeutic services to schools, while removing any barriers for students and families by placing therapists inside of the school. School Based services are billed through OHP and most commercial insurances. Western works in collaboration with the school staff and administration to develop a cohesive model of care for each of the students served, while maintaining confidentiality. Western clinicians are highly trained and dedicated to positive outcomes for students.
At Rock Creek Middle School, we partner with WPCS, please connect with your child's counselor for more information.
By providing services within the school environment, students have easy access to licensed behavioral health providers. In addition, services can be coordinated between the therapist and school personnel such as the School Counselor, Teacher, or Administration, while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
School Counselors focus on student academic success; developing student academic program plans, counseling students regarding challenges related to attendance or school participation, collaborating with school personnel to promote student success, and analyzing/interpreting information related to academic engagement.
School-Based Therapists focus on addressing mental health or substance use issues. These include conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, substance use issues. Without a School-Based Therapist, these services are referred out to providers in the community.
Services begin with an Assessment to determine the student's needs. Psychotherapy is effective in treating most mental health conditions. The therapist may provide these services at the school. Parents are involved in the treatment process and often asked to join sessions or meet with the the therapist alone. If psychiatric medications are indicated, the therapist may refer the student for specialty care or collaborate with the student's pediatrician. The therapist may also recommend services in the community to address special needs.
Western can serve students on most insurance plans in the Portland Metro Area. Our Referral Coordinator at (971) 808-3643 can verify whether a clinician at a school is on the student's plan.
Most health plans require co-pays and co-insurance for services. Many also have a deductible that must be met prior to the plan paying for services. To make payments, we can accept payments through our Client Portal (see below) or we have a "card on file" process for charging a credit card. We accept the Oregon Health Plan, which has no co-pays, co-insurance, or deductibles.
A student may be referred by the school or parent. Contact the School Counselor who can facilitate access to care or contact our Referral Coordinator at (971) 808-3643. School may use our School-based Services Referral Form to initiate care.
For the first appointment, students are asked to bring completed intake paperwork . These are listed in our Forms section under the "Mental Health for Adolescents & Children (under 18) section as "Complete and Bring." A student who is 14 years of age or older may consent to treatment on their own. If a student is younger than 14, the Informed Consent and Privacy Practices and Signature Page need to be signed by the parent and brought to the first appointment.
Contact the Program Director, Sylwia Quick by email sylwia@westernpsychservices.com or by phone at (503) 888-9283
Link: https://www.westernpsych.com/services/school-based-programs