Experiences such as hearing voices, seeing visions, and altered states of consciousness are natural parts of being human, and they are real.

Sometimes these experiences are hurtful or frightening.  Sometimes they are funny or enlightening. There are many ways to understand these experiences.

The Hearing Voices Movement creates spaces for people to explore and understand voices, visions, and different realities, free from judgement and labels.

In-person groups

Wednesdays from noon to 1pm at the Behavioral Health Resource Center, 333 SW Park Avenue, Portland, Oregon.

 

Hearing Voices Online

(Possibly) MONDAYS @ 12:30 – 1:30pm PST. (Zoom link)

(Possibly) WEDNESDAYS @ 12:30 - 2:00pm PST. (Zoom link)

 

Salem

Aaron Benson is hosting an online HVN group for Project ABLE. It meets each Wednesday at 2pm.

https://projectable.org/what-we-do/activities/

 

Find More Groups

Hearing Voices USA - Find a Group

Listen to the story about us on Oregon Public Broadcasting.

LISTEN

Read about us in the Portland Mercury newspaper.

READ

Who We Are

Portland Hearing Voices is an Oregon based education and support effort dedicated to promoting mental diversity and supporting the voice-hearing community in the Portland and surrounding areas. Founded in 2007, we promote public education, mutual aid support groups, training, and community support related to hearing voices, seeing visions, altered and extreme states, and having unusual beliefs and sensory experiences - which are often labeled as psychosis, bipolar, mania, paranoia, schizophrenia, and other mental disorders. We aim to reduce fear and misunderstanding, foster hope and understanding, question stereotypes, promote holistic health options, overcome isolation, and create a more inclusive community.

We have a mental diversity approach that reaches beyond narrow medical diagnosis and treatments, and we explore creativity, spirituality, trauma, and sensitivity in our experiences. We are proud of who we are and we are not crazy. We help each other learn from and live with our mental differences and protect our rights. We struggle with emotional distress and pain while also valuing positive sides of what we go through. Non-judgmental; people taking medication, not taking medication, and considering options are welcome.

We ask the question, What do these experiences mean to you? and welcome diverse personal interpretations and ways of coping. Throughout history the mysterious meaning of “madness” such as hearing voices, wild energy states, visions, remote communication, and seeing coincidences has defied any final explanation, and we seek to create greater understanding through dialog and community-building in a non-judgmental and respectful atmosphere.

We refer to community resources and counselors who share our perspective and who offer accessible services. We also support learning to take greater control of our lives, including exploring coming off medications harm reduction. (Portland Hearing Voices does not offer medical advice or treatment.)

Portland Hearing Voices is led and managed by people with lived experience of hearing voices, different realities, and psychiatric diagnosis. We are currently all-volunteer and seeking funding and resources. Director is Kate Hill. Assistant Director and Founder is Will Hall.

Contact Portland Hearing Voices

Send us a note! We’d love to hear from you.