Providence Expert in Behavioral Health Recognized as a Leader

Sept. 15, 2008

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Oregon Psychological Association has named Providence’s James Mol, Ph.D., as the recipient of its 2008 Public Education Award. Mol is the program manager for adult outpatient behavioral health and physician services for Providence Health & Services in the Portland area.

Mol has been very active in public education since returning to his home state in 1999. Since that time he has offered public education on a dozen or more occasions each year, including local television, radio, and newspaper stories, community forums, high school talks, and also including national television and internet stories.

“It is an honor to be recognized by my peers,” says Mol. “I thank Providence for supporting community public education in psychology and other health care fields.”

Mol has provided public education on a variety of psychological topics, with many stories related to mood disorders, children, parenting, eating disorders, and trauma. He’s also addressed such topics as postpartum depression, addictions issues, psychological resilience, and on many occasions related to stress following the tragedies of 9/11 and the war in Iraq. Mol has also helped people understand the “psychology of everyday life” — discussing the effects of the first Harry Potter movie on young reader’s imaginations, the psychology of animal hoarding, and the phenomenon of hype around the opening of new Krispy Kreme franchises.

Providence Adult Outpatient Services provides intensive mental health treatment to people in crisis due to severe psychiatric symptoms. Highly skilled staff offers effective individualized treatment for a wide range of mental health concerns, including: depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, co-occurring substance abuse problems, difficult medication changes, self harm behaviors, and decline in daily functioning at home or work.