About West Portal Counseling Associates

Services

Our services are tailored to the special needs of:

Children
Adults
Couples
Families

Specialties

Sandplay therapy
Expressive arts therapy
Psychiatric medications
Family therapy
Career consultations
Jungian analytic psychotherapy

History

West Portal Counseling Associates opened in September of 1975 with the intention of providing integrated, mental health services to the West Portal neighborhood of San Francisco. Now we provide psychotherapy, psychiatric consultation, marriage counseling, child, adolescent and family therapy. We aimed to integrate the unique training and experiences of psychology, psychiatry, social work and counseling under one roof by bi-monthly meetings of all associates for the advantage of our individual clients. This multidisciplinary approach was available only at training facilities and hospitals at the time but rarely available to clients in their neighborhoods. This approach provided each associate with ongoing opportunities to improve their knowledge and avoid professional isolation. What began with two borrowed chairs and a rug, blossomed into a small community of dedicated associates able to share knowledge and enjoy an occasional dinner together.

In thirty-two years, West Portal Counseling has expanded to six members and two locations. We added an additional office at the Mechanic’s Institute in downtown San Francisco. The need for integrated services soon led to a suite of three offices and a waiting room. At both locations we aimed for convenient public transportation and close public parking. Additionally, our downtown office is handicap accessible for clients with limited mobility.

History of Our Logo

West Portal's First Logo, 1975

After printing up our stationery and cards, MUNI decided to replace the entrance to the tunnel with the current platform.