The Ventura College Student Health Center offers comprehensive Mental Health Services with a primary focus on crisis management and short-term psychological counseling. These services aim to prevent, stabilize, and initiate care, including referrals for community resources, while prioritizing confidentiality and accessibility for our students.
Core Services
Counseling Sessions:
- Sessions are 45–50 minutes long and conducted by assigned clinicians.
- Students are eligible for up to 6 free sessions per semester and receive 6 additional sessions with each subsequent semester of enrollment.
- Counseling follows a short-term therapy model and is not designed to address chronic mental health conditions.
- Meet our therapists
- Prior to calling the VC SHC for an appointment, please register with the student portal and complete the forms found under the “Forms” tab on the Student Health Portal
- To make appointment, please call the SHC (805) 289-6346. When leaving a message, please include your #900 and phone number.
Scope of Support:
- Depression
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- Grief or loss
- Anxiety
- Relationship challenges (with partners, family, or friends)
- Substance use or abuse
- Trauma, including abuse or sexual assault
- Low self-esteem and self-confidence
- Disordered eating
- Human sexuality and identity development
Clinician Expertise
- Counseling is provided by associate and trainee-level marriage and family therapists, under the close supervision of licensed staff.
- Students and clinicians collaborate to establish treatment goals, which may include referrals for long-term therapy or psychiatric care when necessary.
Referrals
- For formal psychological assessments, psychiatric evaluations, or community-based support.
- For medication consultations with psychiatrists or external medical providers.
- Referrals are tailored to fit the student’s insurance and accessibility needs.
Crisis Intervention
- One-time problem-solving sessions are available to help students manage immediate crises.
- The center works with VCCCD Police for emergency hospitalizations or transport when necessary.