Avel Gordly Center For Healing

I found EVERYONE at the OHSU Avel Gordly Center for Healing to be helpful, professional and skilled. The Doctors at the Center helped me during my worse times as I challenged the open discrimination I faced as an Oregon educator working in a school district. I will be forever grateful for their dedication and to the staff for the healing I experienced. Thank you specifically to Dr. Lott and Dr. Moreland for insightful and supportive sessions and to staff members that processed and helped with appointments. I highly recommend seeking out the Avel Gordly Center for Healing in Portland, OR to move past the damage of workplace discrimination and for a healthier self with a brighter future.

Finding the right therapist for yourself is difficult, but I drew a lucky straw at Avel Gordly. Rob is a compassionate, dedicated, and talented therapist. I have made more progress working with him than with any other therapist in 25 years. The administrative staff is more than courteous, they are friendly and have always been respectful and helpful.

Horrible people. Will frequently reschedule you with no reason and last minute. Walked in one time for my appointment only to be told day of that it was cancelled by counselor. Took a day off work for nothing. It is also very triggering as someone who has PTSD and depression. Michelle did more talking about her practice and plans more so than helping me as her patient. Don’t come here if you are seeking help in healing.

I was treated like my trauma did not matter. Dr. Shea Lott lacks compassion and empathy and is not qualified to assist people with PTSD. My last straw was when it was implied that I was being trivial because I was having a difficult time forgiving loved ones who mocked my trauma & blamed me for it. Also, it was implied that I was fortunate that my trauma experience was not worse, and because of that reason, it should be easier to get over! I felt so disrespected and mortified, that I canceled all future appointments with the clinic. AVOID this place at all costs, unless you enjoy being treated with zero compassion. I feel bad that this place is associated with Ms. Gordly's legacy. Her intention was to create a safe space for African-American people to experience healing, while receiving cultural understanding at the same time. Instead, this is a place where patients are treated like garbage. Well actually...to be completely fair, garbage is treated much better.

In the beginning when I received care from this facility it was done with empathy and respect. but lately there have been many changes the psychiatrist I was seeing and the psychologist are no longer there and the replacement doctors are totally different than the one they replaced..The staff are rude and show no care or concern for your feelings, When I had called and had a question for my doctor my calls we’re never returned which made me feel like I wasn’t getting the best care and my needs weren’t important.

The people here do not care for their patients. I have left messages here asking general questions, requesting appointment cancellations, and to get in contact with my psychiatrist. Unfortunately, only one voicemail in my months of being here has garnered a response and it was very strongly worded. Additionally, calling the front desk to receive help from the secretaries is a 50/50 chance of success because only one secretary seems to understand the system. My psychiatrist was great when I saw her, but my complaint is that the entire office including my psychiatrist seemed unconcerned with my wellbeing outside of appointments. Although my doctor has apologized for this, I again was unable to reach her this week which is why I am leaving. Most offensive was one of my therapists here who thought I was anorexic and refused to proceed with the session until I had told her 'I am not fat' 'I am skinny' 'I don't need to lose weight' about 5 times and continued to try to rationalize away a mental illness I do not even have. Overall a massive pain in the neck trying to contact your doctor or the front desk to avoid no-show fees.

My first appointment with Michelle went over 2 hours. All she talked about was herself, about her beliefs and how she only help black people she refuse to help white people because there are plenty of services for them. Which is OK. Just be professional and don't talk shyt about white people. I ABSOLUTELY agree blacks need more blacks in this field. Then she went on about how she just came back to the Avel Gordly because she took another job offer. After listening to all that she made it PERFECTLY CLEAR that she isn't here to fix any of my problems. ???? Very offended at that point. From there on out she talked about herself for almost 30 minutes. Then told me this is not a couseling session. The appointment went over 2 hours and I was feeling anxious because I had to go. She asked me how I was feeling I told her a little irritated. She said we can stop here and pick up next time. I said great. Left. Came back for my next appointment and we finished the intake. My next scheduled appointment was to come up with a plan. I called that morning because my son was sick with a high fever and being a single mom I had No choice but to cancel. Last Thursday my parents and uncle got hit by a semi, car flipped 3 times. Uncle in ICU broken ribs and collar bone, step mom just came home Sunday and my dad has been needing support. Long story short my mind is just splattered. Monday morning my 8 year old was crying about me promising I would go on a field trip with him that I forgot about Appointment COMPLETELY slipped my mind So I went to the field trip. This morning I called to see what time my appointment was, receptionist said it was Monday, I was so irritated because my intentions weren't to miss is. Then she said I've been discharged. Confused on why I didn't get a call or anything. My opinion is Michelle never cared to help me with anything. She wasted a lot of my time. She don't know anything about what's going on in my life today or why l was even there in the first place. I think the Avel Gordly Center is awesome. Feels really good to walk in a Mental Treatment Facility and see a lot of blacks supporting each other. I just didn't have a good experience with Michelle she was rude and unprofessional and all I did was bite my tongue and gave her chance after chance. I'm sorry for the horrible review but I feel like she could have been a little more nice and understandin and she shouldn't treat adults like children, like we dont kno anything. Talked to the supervisor, very nice guy. Hopefully they'll never have this problem again.

I find it very difficult to schedule appointments that work with my schedule which is admittedly difficult anyway, but still. The therapy itself has been beneficial but not sure it's worth all the hassle. I can rarely reach a secretary or get a call back unless I can several times. Seems quite disorganized.

I really enjoyed the adoption group talks held there, they helped me find my birth mother, went to some Dbt classes there too.

Do not call or visit this place. They do not respect privacy. They gossip about anything you tell them. The next thing you know you're at Good in the Hood and everyone knows your business. Do not do not trust these people.