SALEM, OR — Mental health care access in Salem took a significant step forward on Friday with the grand opening of a new counseling office aimed at addressing the growing need for therapeutic services in the region.
Co-founders, licensed counselors, and members of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the launch. The mood was upbeat, but the urgency of the moment was clear: by the time the ribbon was cut, hundreds of people were already on the waitlist for care.
“It’s both exciting and sobering,” said one of the co-founders. “The demand shows how deeply our community needs more support—and how far we still have to go.”
The new facility offers individual, couples, and family therapy, and is staffed by a team of licensed mental health professionals with diverse specialties. Organizers say they hope the space will also serve as a hub for wellness workshops and support groups in the future.
According to data from the Oregon Health Authority, access to mental health services remains a persistent challenge in Marion County, where provider shortages have led to long wait times and limited availability. The opening of the new counseling office is expected to help ease some of that burden, though demand continues to outpace supply.
Local officials and business leaders praised the expansion as both a public health and economic benefit.
“Mental health is a foundational part of our community’s wellbeing and workforce productivity,” said a representative from the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce. “We’re proud to support this new chapter.”
While the waitlist may be long, the office’s founders remain optimistic. With plans to hire additional therapists and expand hours in the coming months, they say this is only the beginning of their efforts to meet Salem’s mental health needs.
