Getting Started

Welcome!

We are glad you are here and we hope this information helps you find out more about Behavioral Health Counseling Services and how to make your first appointment.

Eligibility

Behavioral Health Counseling Services offers short term counseling for currently enrolled Palomar College students, whom have paid the current semester health fee: $26 Fall and Spring, $22 for Summer semester.

How to Schedule an Appointment

To schedule an appointment with a Behavioral Health Therapist, please call (760) 891-7531.

If your need for counseling is urgent, please contact Behavioral Health Counseling Services to speak with the receptionist at (760) 891-7531.

What does Short Term Counseling Mean?

Short term counseling means that sessions are limited to once a week, lasting 45 minutes per session. Sessions will be scheduled consecutively unless otherwise arranged with the therapist. A “no-show” or late cancellation will count as one of the sessions.

Our goal is to provide an appropriate, focused course of therapy within the given period of time. Referrals and resources will be provided for those students whose needs extend beyond that given time.

*BHCS reserves the right to limit number or frequency of sessions when responding to high service demands. 

To learn more about the Behavioral Health Counseling process we recommend the link Frequently Asked Questions.

Behavioral Health Counseling Services Policies

Although we try to arrange initial counseling appointments promptly, a wait for appointments is common during busy periods of the year. If you consider your situation an emergency that will not allow a delay, please tell our staff.

Please schedule appointments during times that you are not scheduled to be in class. Please arrive on time for your appointments. Missed appointments result in a $5 No-Show fee and reduce our capacity to provide services to other students. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please call to cancel or reschedule as far in advance as possible.  Same day cancellations and no-shows will count against the session limit for that semester. Repeated cancellations or missed appointments may result in the termination of services.

Notice to Clients

Beginning July 1, 2020, all mental health counselors, whether licensed or unlicensed, are required to provide a notice to each of their clients stating where they can file a complaint. (AB 630, Chapter 229, Statutes of 2019)

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