Services

Life for college students can be stressful. Many people experience times when some type of outside help is needed in order to look at a situation objectively, identify options, and develop new strategies or solutions. Psychological counseling can help.

Eligibility:

Any student enrolled in at least one credit class at COD is eligible.

Services Provided:

• Short-term confidential counseling, (maximum of 6 sessions per semester)
• Referrals to community resources addressing concerns such as mental health crises and substance abuse issues (click on the resources tab to the left to access resources)
• Workshops and special events scheduled periodically
• Screenings for various psychological disorders

Issues addressed:

Anxiety, stress, worry, depression, family problems, death of a loved one, low self-esteem, fear of failure, relationship issues, sexuality concerns, adjustment to illness/disability, interpersonal problems, anger management, drug/alcohol use, academic problems such as procrastination, and other personal concerns

Potential Benefits (Outcome Goals):

• Students receive support (may include local support groups or community agencies)
• Students learn strategies to better cope with stress
• Students practice new behaviors and coping strategies in everyday life
• Students move toward resolution of personal obstacles to improve the likelihood of success in college

Possible Emotions during Psychological Counseling:

Discussing personal matters with a counselor or therapist may be a new experience. You may possibly experience some uncomfortable emotions such as feeling nervous or upset during the counseling process as you invest effort toward understanding your problems and how to solve them. The Psychologist/Counselor will help you to move through these feelings.

Confidentiality:

All sessions are confidential. Any notes which the mental health provider may take in a session are held confidential and do not become a part of your student records. Information regarding a student is not released to other parties unless authorized by the student in writing.

Exceptions to Confidentiality:

1. We use a team approach in delivering support services to students at COD. In order to aid in the evaluation and management of various behavioral and psychological disorders, you may be asked to sign a release form allowing information to be shared on a need to know basis with specific professionals on campus, such as Counselors working in Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) or Student Health Services, as appropriate and only with your written permission.
2. By law, mental health professionals in California must take steps to prevent harm when there is a reason to believe that a client/student presents an immediate danger to himself/herself or if a student makes a serious threat to harm another person.
3. Mental health professionals are required by law to make a report when there is reason to believe that a child, a dependent adult or elderly person is being abused.

Cost:

• Services are Free of Charge for enrolled students (covered by your Student Health fees)
• Students must be willing to invest effort in the process.

Appointments:

• Sessions are usually 50 minutes in length
• Referral for services: Students are seen by referral from a COD Instructor or Counselor, or students may refer themselves.
• Contact: Appointments can be made or changed at the Student Health Center front counter (760-776-7211).
• Cancellation of an appointment: It is very important to notify us in advance (preferably 24 hours) if you must cancel. Students who do not show up for two scheduled appointments in a row will need to talk to a mental health provider prior to scheduling another appointment.
• For more urgent needs, a mental health provider can assist during drop-in hours.

Limits of Psychological Services:

The mental health providers at COD do not provide:

• Long-term psychotherapy
• Couples therapy (unless both are COD students), or family therapy
• Psychiatric medication
• On-call or after-hours services
• Letters of recommendation, or letters for legal purposes

On-campus assistance for urgent needs:

• You may walk-in to the Student Health Center or the Counseling Center during open hours Monday- Friday for mental health emergency.
• Campus Security (760-341-2111) is located in South Annex (the modulars across from CSSC). Contact Security for any threat to your (or another person’s) safety, or if you witness suspicious behavior or a crime committed on campus.
• Student Health Services (Office: 760-776-7211), located on the first floor of the Cravens Student Services Center.

Off-campus assistance for urgent needs:

Local law enforcement

• Emergency: 911