Mental Health Counseling

Welcome! Our Personal Counseling services are here to support your emotional and mental well-being throughout your college journey. Please read the following information carefully to understand what we offer and how to make the most of your experience:

 Services Offered

• Up to 8 mental health counseling sessions per semester are available to currently enrolled students.
• Personal Counseling: One-on-one, confidential sessions with a mental health counselor.
• Couples/Family Counseling: At least one participant must be an active student, and sessions are focused on improving communication, resolving conflict, and supporting healthy relationships.
• All counseling sessions are private and confidential as governed by state law. Your personal information will never be shared without your written consent, except in rare, legally required situations (e.g., risk of harm to self or others).

Note: We do not provide academic counseling. For help with educational planning, course selection, or transferring, please contact the Counseling Department.

Appointments

• Same-day appointments may be available, depending on counselor availability.
• Appointments are strongly encouraged to ensure time with a counselor.
• To cancel, please notify us at least 24 hours in advance.

No-Show & Cancellation Policy

• We enforce a "2 Strikes" policy:
  • Two missed appointments (No-Shows) or late cancellations (less than 24 hours' notice) will result in a temporary suspension of services.
  • To resume services, students must meet with the Dean or Director for reinstatement.

Events

Check out our upcoming events on:

• Check out our upcoming events on:

  • Facebook

  • Instagram

  • Tiktok. 

Let us help you feel supported, heard, and empowered—whether you're facing stress, anxiety, relationship issues, or just need someone to talk to. MSJC's Student Health Center is here for you! 

LICENSED COUNSELORS

Maria Iniguez, LCSW (se habla español)

Joselynn Aguilar, LMFT

---

THERAPIST TRAINEES

• Natalie Orosco
• Caitlyn Quindoy
• David O'Shaugnessy
• Hannah Elery
• Marian Ibraheam
• Patrick Flannery
• Sebastian Castanon
• Aileen Velazquez

 

While the student health center strives to give quality care to as many students as possible, there will be times when appointments are not available. Please see this LIST OF RESOURCES (Mental Health, Domestic Violence, Coping Skills) available for students in their time of need. 

 

I am a student dealing with personal problems. Can you help me?

Yes

Services are available through the Student Health Centers to all students currently enrolled at Mt. San Jacinto College (taking 1 or more credits) and who have paid the student health fee.

---

I need to see an academic counselor. Can you help me?

No

Student Health Services provides medical and mental health counseling only. To speak to a counselor regarding class schedules, please contact General Counseling.

 SPEAK TO AN ACADEMIC COUNSELOR

---

How soon can I meet with a personal counselor?

Dependent on availability 

Telehealth appointments are available Monday – Friday. Sameday appointments available early in the semester. Most appointments can be scheduled within a 24-48 hour window. 

---

Will my video telehealth appointments be private and secure?

Yes

Conversations with our counselors are strictly confidential, except under limited situations. Exceptions to confidentiality are explained further at the time of your first appointment and can be found in our Counseling Informed Consent found in the Patient Portal.

You should also know that your counseling records are not shared with other school departments or staff and do not affect your academic record.

For live video telehealth sessions we use Zoom through our patient portal, a secure teletherapy video platform, to make your calls as private and secure as possible. According to Zoom, “all data is encrypted, your sessions are anonymous, and none of your information is stored. We adhere to HIPAA, PIPEDA, and GDPR data privacy requirements.” All you need to do is be in a private location where you feel safe to talk.

---

I feel nervous about seeing a counselor. What can I expect?

You are not alone.

Many students that come see us have not been in counseling before. We work hard to make sure you feel supported, listened to, and safe whether you see one of our licensed counselors or graduate level trainees. We are passionate about the work we do and made it our life and career goal to help people experiencing challenging life situations.

We know college students feel extra stress while going to school. Our student trainees in particular understand exactly what you are going through because they are students too! Each of our trainees is enrolled in an accredited Master program in social work and/or psychology and supervised closely by our experienced counselors to make sure you are getting the best quality of care.

---

How long are counseling sessions?

50 Minute Sessions

We offer 50 minutes individual therapy sessions using a Brief Therapy model that will help you feel supported without feeling rushed.

---

What happens during sessions?

Pre-Appointment: Prior to your scheduled counseling session, please log into your Patient Portal to complete required forms. This ensures your counselor has the necessary background information to better understand your needs, history, and goals. Timely completion helps maximize your appointment time. 

• Informed Consent - By digitally signing this form, you formally agree to receive mental health services. It outlines your rights, confidentiality limits, treatment risks, and emergency procedures. This form is completed once per calendar year unless updates occur.
  
  
• Counseling Intake Form - This form gathers personal and therapeutic history, your expectations of counseling, areas of concern, and current goals. It helps shape a customized road map for your care with your counselor. This form is completed at the start of treatment and whenever new objectives are identified.
  
  
• Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9) - A brief, standardized tool used to evaluate your current mood, especially symptoms of depression. It provides a snapshot of your emotional state prior to each session to guide discussion and treatment planning. This form is completed before every counseling appointment.

 

Brief Therapy (8 sessions)
Brief Therapy session plans are evaluated on a case by case basis so long as the student is compliant and benefiting from therapy.

Therapy is for you. If at any time you have questions or doubts, share them with your counselor. Your input is important to your progress.

Session 1: In this session you will meet your personal counselor and go over pre-appointment documents (informed consent form, therapy goals, etc). Your counselor will answer any questions you have regarding these documents and/or the therapy process.

You and your counselor will discuss what brought you into therapy and your expectations for therapy. Your counselor will likely ask you several questions to gather information that will assist in creating a treatment plan to help you reach your goals.

Do not get discouraged if you do not get answers to your questions. The therapy process takes time, and with time and effort, you should begin to see results.

Session 2-8: During the second session you and your counselor will identify what should be addressed first to help you begin to improve your well-being.

Your counselor will support you and guide you through the process of achieving your goals with each following session. They will offer a variety of methods that will be specific to your situation.

---