Compare 3095 licensed clinical social workers in Portland, OR. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
3,095
Licensed Clinical Social Workers
100%
Accepting patients
68%
Most common: LCSW
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Portland's healthcare identity is shaped by OHSU, the only academic medical center in Oregon, perched on Marquam Hill like a small city of its own. Below it, Legacy and Providence split the map into competing networks that give patients real choices. The city's deep roots in naturopathic and integrative medicine mean you'll find treatment philosophies here that barely exist in most metro areas.
Portland has 3,095 licensed clinical social workers. The most common credential is LCSW (68%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
OHSU sits atop Marquam Hill with an aerial tram connecting to the South Waterfront. Legacy Good Samaritan anchors the northwest side, while Providence Portland covers the east. The MAX light rail and streetcar connect several hospital-adjacent neighborhoods, but most Portlanders drive or bike to appointments. Cross-river commutes between east and west Portland add 15 to 20 minutes during rush hour.
Providers practice throughout Portland. Pearl District is a walkable downtown neighborhood with Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center and specialist offices. Alberta Arts District is a vibrant northeast Portland corridor with community clinics and culturally responsive care options. Hawthorne is a popular southeast neighborhood with independent practices and naturopathic medicine offices. Division is a growing east Portland corridor with new medical offices and quick access to Providence Portland.
Nearby hospitals include OHSU Hospital, Providence Portland Medical Center, and Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center. Local training programs run through Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and Portland State University. OHSU is Oregon's only academic health center and sits atop Marquam Hill overlooking downtown Portland.
A first session typically lasts 50 to 60 minutes. The social worker will ask about your current concerns, mental health history, family background, living situation, and support network. They may also ask about practical issues like insurance coverage, housing stability, and safety at home. Together, you will set goals for treatment. Social workers use evidence-based therapies including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and trauma-focused approaches. Sessions are usually weekly or biweekly. Social workers cannot prescribe medication but can refer you to a psychiatrist if medication might help.
You might see a clinical social worker for depression, anxiety, grief, relationship conflict, trauma recovery, or adjustment to major life changes like divorce, job loss, or chronic illness diagnosis. Social workers are also the right fit if you need help navigating the healthcare or social services system alongside therapy. If you are in crisis, experiencing domestic violence, or need case management for a complex situation involving mental health and practical barriers, a social worker can address both the emotional and logistical challenges.
Individual session copay: $20-50 with insurance · Self-pay: $80-150/session · Community mental health center: $20-80/session sliding scale
Clinical social workers provide family therapy that addresses communication patterns, boundary issues, and generational dynamics. They also connect families with community resources for additional support.
Social workers offer grief counseling and help with the practical side of major life changes: navigating benefits, connecting with support groups, and building a plan for moving forward.
Licensed clinical social workers provide therapy for anxiety and depression using evidence-based methods. They take a holistic view that considers your relationships, environment, and resources.
Social workers are trained in trauma-informed care and help survivors of abuse process their experiences, develop safety plans, and access community resources for ongoing support.
A chronic health diagnosis changes everything. Clinical social workers help you cope with the emotional impact, navigate the healthcare system, and maintain quality of life.
Portland, OR has 3,095 licensed licensed clinical social workers. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of licensed clinical social workers in Portland, OR are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Oregon's Medicaid program (Oregon Health Plan) covers a large share of the population and is accepted at most major systems. For marketplace plans, Moda, Providence, and Kaiser Permanente are the dominant carriers. Kaiser operates its own closed network with clinics across the metro.
A session copay is $20 to $50 with insurance. Self-pay rates are $80 to $150 per session. Community mental health centers charge $20 to $80 on a sliding scale. Actual costs in Portland, OR depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Social workers are generally the most affordable type of licensed therapist. Community mental health centers employ social workers and offer income-based sliding-scale fees. Many LCSWs in private practice also reserve sliding-scale slots.
Portland has strong provider density, but the east side of the city and outer suburbs like Gresham and Troutdale have fewer options. OHSU, Legacy, and Providence each run their own physician networks, so start by checking which system your insurance covers best.
LCSW stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker and MSW stands for Master of Social Work. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Portland, OR, 68% hold the LCSW credential and 10% hold MSW. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
Some licensed clinical social workers in Portland, OR accept Oregon Health Plan, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers LCSW therapy in all states. Coverage includes individual and group therapy. Co-pays are minimal or zero for most Medicaid recipients. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm Oregon Health Plan participation before scheduling.
Oregon is one of a handful of states that license naturopathic physicians with prescribing authority. Many insurance plans, including some OHP and marketplace plans, cover ND visits. Portland has one of the highest naturopathic-doctor-per-capita ratios in the country.
OHSU accepts both referrals and self-scheduled appointments for most departments. As an academic medical center, it tends to handle complex and specialty cases, but its primary care clinics at the South Waterfront and Marquam Hill are open to new patients.
Top accepted carriers in Portland, OR include qhp-73836, qhp-63474, qhp-10091, qhp-23603, and qhp-56707.
Most insurance plans cover therapy with licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs). Social workers are one of the most widely covered mental health provider types. Verify your plan covers outpatient mental health services and check whether the social worker is in-network. Mental health parity laws require most plans to cover mental health at the same level as physical health. Community mental health centers often accept Medicaid and offer sliding-scale fees.