Counseling Scope of Services

Mission

The mission of Cal State Â鶹ÃÛÌÒAV Counseling Services is to support student wellness, retention, and graduation. 


Eligibility

Only currently registered students are eligible for services at SHCS.  Students who are taking classes but not regularly enrolled may be eligible to pay the health fee for the semester to receive services, and should check with the SHCS front desk about eligibility.


Services provided

  • Brief therapy
    • Individual therapy
    • Urgent crisis sessions
    • Group sessions (psychoeducational, support and interpersonal)
    • Drop-in workshop sessions
    • Couples therapy, if both partners are currently registered students
  • Crisis assessment
    • Same-day crisis appointments are available daily for students who cannot wait for a regularly scheduled appointment
    • After-hours and weekend phone counseling is available through contracted crisis service - dial (510) 885-3735, Option 2
  • Consultation
    • Wellness Ambassador Trainings are available for staff, faculty and student leaders on topics such as Helping Students in Distress, Avoiding Burnout and Compassion Fatigue, I Can Help: Suicide Awareness and Prevention, Trauma Informed Teaching Strategies, and Supporting Survivors of Sexual Violence
    • Member of campus CARE team
    • Available for individual consultation with staff, faculty, student leaders, and community members about students of concern
  • Outreach
    • Presentations to students, staff and faculty to support emotional wellness and raise awareness about mental health support on campus
  • Case management
    • Referrals for additional on campus and outside resources - academic, mental health, and basic needs.

Additional Services on Campus


Common concerns and conditions addressed on campus

  • Personal issues, such as stress, anxiety, depression, anger, loneliness, self-esteem, grief and loss
  • Relational issues, such as difficulties between partners, family or friends, and abusive relationships
  • Developmental issues, including transitions or identity development
  • Academic concerns, such as motivation, perfectionism, underachievement, and concerns about future career
  • Other issues, such as healthy lifestyle choices, substance use, and traumatic experiences

Concerns not suitable for short-term, on campus treatment

  • A need for intensive, long-term, or open-ended therapy.  Possible indicators for longer term or more intensive therapy include:
    • Recent or multiple psychiatric hospitalizations
    • Chronic thoughts of suicide, frequent self-injurious behaviors, or history of repeated suicide attempts
    • Evidence or risk of progressive deterioration in mental or emotional functioning that requires intensive intervention
  • A need for specialized services not available on campus, including but not limited to:
    • Presence of significant drug or alcohol problems, such as substance dependence and/or past failed treatments
    • Need for drug testing
    • Presence of severe or long-standing eating disorder symptoms
    • Request for formal psychological assessment (e.g., ADHD testing)
    • Request for assessment for emotional support animal (ESA)
    • Request for psychological evaluation for the purpose of employment clearance or other non-academic purpose
    • Request for services to fulfill students' court-mandated assessment or treatment requirements

Please note that Counseling Services staff are unable to provide letters for disability accommodations, release from Student Housing contracts, emotional support animals, Academic Withdrawal or Financial Aid appeals.