Business Details
18 Years
experience
Affordable Mental Health Therapy in California & Oregon
Founded in 2008 by Steven Dallmann, Liberation Institute is a grassroots nonprofit mental health organization dedicated to providing accessible, professional counseling and psychotherapy services. Based in San Francisco and Portland, we serve individuals, couples, families, and groups through a sliding scale fee structure that ensures no one is turned away due to financial constraints. Our team of over 70 volunteer professionals includes licensed clinicians, interns, mindfulness teachers, artists, and activists who collectively address mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. We pioneered innovative programs such as yoga, meditation, street therapy, and mobile services to extend our reach beyond traditional counseling settings.Our inclusive model bridges socioeconomic divides, allowing those who can afford higher fees to subsidize care for underserved populations. Governed by principles of compassion, equity, and community-driven support, we maintain transparency in operations while adhering to ethical standards that prioritize client needs. With over 15 years of experience delivering telehealth and in-person services across California and Oregon, we remain committed to dismantling systemic barriers in mental healthcare through grassroots collaboration and holistic approaches.
Services
Individual Therapy
Group Therapy
Relationship Counseling
Telehealth Sessions
Mindfulness Workshops
Community Programs
Details
- Year established: 2008
Highlights and features
- We operate a proven sliding-scale model ensuring accessible care for all income levels
- Our team includes 70+ licensed clinicians and specialists across mental health disciplines
- We offer telehealth services statewide in California and Oregon
- Our community-driven approach integrates mindfulness, arts, and activism into therapy
- We maintain transparent fee structures with no hidden costs or insurance requirements
Services
Individual Therapy
Professional one-on-one mental health counseling for adults, youth, and children. Our licensed clinicians use evidence-based approaches tailored to individual needs, including trauma-informed care and cognitive behavioral techniques. Sessions address anxiety, depression, life transitions, and personal growth through both in-person and telehealth options.
Group Therapy
Facilitated therapeutic groups focusing on specific themes like addiction recovery, caregiver support, and self-compassion. Participants gain peer support while working through issues such as isolation, relationship challenges, and emotional regulation in structured weekly or monthly sessions led by experienced therapists.
Relationship Counseling
Specialized therapy for couples, partners, and families addressing communication breakdowns, trust issues, and relationship conflicts. Our clinicians help develop conflict resolution strategies and improve emotional connections through both in-person and virtual sessions for various relationship structures.
Telehealth Services
Secure phone and video therapy sessions available statewide in California and Oregon. This service provides accessible mental health care for clients who prefer remote sessions due to location, mobility, or scheduling constraints while maintaining the same quality of care as in-person visits.
Community Programs
Innovative programs combining mental health support with mindfulness practices, art therapy, and social connection. Offerings include meditation classes, street outreach therapy, and mobile services that bring therapeutic resources directly to underserved communities across our service regions.
People
Stever Dallmann
Founder
Stever founded Liberation Institute in 2008 after identifying systemic barriers in traditional mental healthcare. With over 15 years of experience in community mental health, he pioneered the organization's sliding scale model and grassroots approach to accessible therapy.
Adina Ascher
San Francisco Clinical Director
Adina oversees clinical operations in San Francisco, bringing extensive experience in trauma-informed care and community mental health program development. She has led therapeutic initiatives integrating mindfulness practices with traditional counseling approaches since joining the institute.
Elizabeth Hoke
Portland Clinical Director
Elizabeth directs Portland operations while facilitating multiple therapeutic groups focused on emotional support and recovery. With a background in integrative mental health approaches, she has developed several of the institute's signature programs combining therapy with creative expression.
Questions
What mental health services do you offer?
We provide individual, family, and group therapy, relationship counseling, telehealth sessions, and specialized programs like mindfulness workshops and psychedelic integration support.
How does your sliding scale payment system work?
Clients select a fee based on their income level. Higher payments subsidize care for those with fewer resources, ensuring everyone receives quality mental health services regardless of ability to pay.
Are your therapists licensed professionals?
Yes, all clinical services are delivered by state-licensed clinicians, interns, and credentialed specialists in mental health, mindfulness, and therapeutic arts.
Can I join group therapy sessions online?
Most groups are available via secure virtual platforms with options for both California and Oregon residents to participate remotely.
How are donations used to support your mission?
Donations cover operational costs, fund new programs, and ensure free or reduced-cost services remain available for economically disadvantaged clients across our service areas.
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