The Northwest Catholic Counseling Center

06/01/2026

Celebrating the first day of Pride Month with a look back at our NCC team at the Portland Pride Parade last year! 🏳️‍🌈

We believe that mental health care is a basic human right. This core value drives our work every day and is rooted in our commitment to justice – assuring all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, have access to the compassionate care they deserve.

There is no health without mental health, and we are dedicated to creating an inclusive, welcoming, and diverse space where hope and healing can flourish for everyone. We stand in collaboration with our community to end oppression and ensure excellence in care for all.

Happy Pride Month!

05/29/2026

Mental health care is a right, not a privilege. 🤝

As we near the end of Mental Health Awareness Month, our focus remains on one thing: Access. For 40 years, we have bridged the gap between the need for professional counseling and the reality of financial barriers. Our sliding scale program is fueled by your local support, ensuring that compassionate, high-quality care is available to every neighbor in our community.

We had a beautiful celebration on April 30th, but the work continues every single day in our counseling rooms. Would you help us reach our May giving goal to support those currently on their journey toward healing?

Every gift—large or small—provides a seat on the couch for someone in need. Would you join us?
https://nwcounseling.org/make-a-donation/

05/27/2026

May might be wrapping up, but here at NCC, mental health awareness never stops. 💚

Today, we’re reflecting on the phrase "Words Matter." The language we use when we speak to ourselves—and to each other—holds immense power. From expressing heartfelt gratitude to bravely setting a boundary or asking for help, our words shape our mental well-being.

We were beautifully reminded of this at our 40th anniversary event, Pause, Gather, Grow. The words of gratitude our guests shared with our staff were a breath of fresh air, reinforcing the deep impact of the mental health care we strive to provide every single day.

To our community: thank you for using your words to uplift, support, and grow with us.

05/26/2026

Hello friends! Community Services Network has put together an incredible Community Resiliency Fair this weekend! See their post and website for more.

05/23/2026

✨ We are thrilled to introduce the newest member of our counseling team, Adam Bartell, LCSW, CADC II! ✨
Adam Bartell (he/him/his) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). He holds a Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from Portland State University and is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor II (CADC II). He has 7 years of community mental health experience working with a variety of populations including, justice-involved adults in an urban setting and high acuity youth and families in a rural setting.

His clinical influences include evidence-based approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Motivational Interviewing, with the goal of creating a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where a client feels understood and valued.

“The work I’m invited to participate in with my clients, is rooted in being person-cerented. I emphasize empathy, unconditional positive regard and authenticity. I want our sessions to focus on prioritizing your experiences, feelings and perspectives, while encouraging self-exploration and personal insight.”

Adam is offers therapy sessions in English. Click the link below to read his full bio.
https://www.nwcounseling.org/adam-bartell/

05/20/2026

"NCC is a beacon of light in our community." — Marcia 💡✨

In this moving 3.5-minute video, Marcia shares her journey of healing with NCC and the hope she found through our counseling center.

Since 2018, Marcia has been one of our "Faithful Friends" (our monthly giving circle). She now helps keep that beacon of light shining for others, ensuring that the next person who walks through our doors finds the same compassionate support she did.

📺 Watch Marcia’s powerful story below.
https://ow.ly/eR0M50Z0pYM

Thank you for sharing your story, Marcia!💖
👇 Join Marcia in supporting access to care. Our Mental Health Month giving link is in the first comment!

05/18/2026

It’s , and this month we’re looking at joy through the lens of resilience. 🌿✨

During Mental Health Awareness Month, we often focus on the hard work of healing—the deep dives and the difficult breakthroughs. But an equally vital part of that journey is the intentional practice of noticing "Micro-Joys."

Choosing to notice the way the light hits your morning coffee or the feeling of a cool breeze isn't just a distraction; it’s an act of agency. It’s a sign that you are reclaiming space for yourself.

At NCC, our clinical team approaches every session in a trauma-informed, culturally adapted, and compassionate manner. We work to create a safe, respectful environment where you feel heard. Our role is to provide the professional, compassionate support that helps clear the path so you can see these moments more clearly.

What is a micro-joy you’ve intentionally noticed lately? Let’s celebrate those small wins in the comments. 👇

Monday

05/15/2026

📺 Watch our "who we are" video to learn more about our mission and why we are so passionate about what we do. It’s a tribute to the resilience of our clients and the unwavering support of our community that makes "access for all" possible.
https://vimeo.com/1176369108/c96fb30234?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

Help us keep the light shining for the next 40 years.

💖 Continue the success of our anniversary event by supporting our Mental Health Month giving page. Link in the first comment! Give here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/the-northwest-catholic-counseling-center/40-years-of-hope-and-healing

This is "NCC ORG Video" by The AV Department on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

05/10/2026

Today, we honor the many faces of motherhood. We celebrate the biological mothers, the adoptive and foster moms, the grandmothers, the mentors, and those who mother with a spirit of love and guidance. Your impact is immeasurable. We thank the women who nurture, protect, and inspire us.

At the same time, we hold space for those for whom today is not easy. Whether you are grieving a loss, navigating a complicated relationship, or yearning for a connection that isn’t there—we see you.

Whatever your story is today, please know you are not alone. 🤍
Wishing you a day of peace and reflection. 🕊️

05/07/2026

40 years of healing, growing, and opening doors. ✨

On April 30th, we gathered at Avenue Portland for Pause, Gather, Grow—a celebration of four decades of service. We began as a grassroots vision between four Portland parishes and our founding Sisters, and today, we are proud to continue that legacy as an independent nonprofit.

While our roots are deep, our reach is wide. We want to thank every counselor, staff member, and volunteer who has served over the last 40 years to ensure that mental health care is accessible to everyone, regardless of faith or finances.

To our guests, partners, sponsors, and donors: thank you for being part of this evolution. Stay tuned—more highlights from the night are coming soon! 🥂