About Counseling

How to Schedule an Appointment

Student Health and Counseling Services provides walk-in hours for first-time initial consults for students who have never been seen before. Students can access services by walking into SHCS Monday – Friday between 9:00 – 11:00 and 2:30 – 4:30 and ask to be seen by the walk-in counselor. Please be advised that students will still need to complete our intake paperwork which can take up to 20 minutes. Students will be seen for 20-30 minutes to assess presenting needs to determine best course of treatment.

Students who have been previously seen at SHCS can call 760-750-4915 or walk-in to the center and ask to be scheduled with the therapist that they worked with previously.

The Counseling Process

The counseling relationship is a unique one, accompanied by certain rights, responsibilities, and protections. For those considering counseling, this section provides an overview of the counseling process: what to expect from counseling and what your role is in counseling.

Counseling process expectations

You can expect to meet with someone who is interested in listening to your concerns and in helping you develop a better understanding of them so that you may deal with your concerns more easily and effectively. Because counselors have different strategies as to how to assist you, they may differ on how much talking they do in sessions, whether they ask you to do homework, and their focus of discussion. If at any time questions arise about your treatment process, please don’t hesitate in asking. Counselors are here to work collaboratively with you providing you with support along your therapeutic journey. Your counselor will maintain strict confidentiality except under unusual circumstances. If you have any questions about the limits of confidentiality, please bring them up with your counselor.
Within the context of the therapeutic relationship (the professional relationship between the student/client and the therapist), you have certain responsibilities that when adhered to, may help you work more effectively toward meeting your therapeutic goals. These responsibilities include:

• Attending your scheduled appointment. If you are not able to attend, please let your counselor or SHCS reception know with at least 24 hours’ notice, so that someone else can use that appointment time. Be advised that your case will be closed after two “no shows” to sessions (missed sessions without cancelling).
• Talking openly and honestly with your counselor about your concerns. You have certain rights of confidentiality and you are encouraged to discuss these with your counselor if you are unclear about them.
• Your counselor may ask you to try a new behavior, adapt your thinking, better manage your emotional responses or experiment with a different approach to your concerns. You are encouraged to try and practice these new ideas and approaches outside of the counseling session.

Please communicate with your counselor about any improvements (or not) you become aware of regarding your concerns. Your feedback is important and can help your counselor adapt their approach to better meet your needs.

The California State University San Marcos is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. If accommodations are necessary, please contact SHCS at (760) 750-4915, or (760) 750-4924 TDD.