Wellness Counseling Center

Scope of Services

The Wellness Counseling Center provides clinical and campus-based assistance to all undergraduate students registered for classes on the main campus. We help students maintain and develop emotional well-being to achieve your educational and personal goals, and promote a healthy and inclusive community through relationship building, education, crisis intervention, and support. Our individual services are based on a brief therapy model, designed to help students manage immediate problems and provide short-term therapy. These services are ideal for issues that have arisen recently or that are expected to resolve relatively quickly. Eligible undergraduate students may receive up to (8) sessions for freshman and transfer students or (6) sessions for sophomores, juniors and seniors. If you are facing ongoing difficulties (6 months or longer), or if you have engaged in ongoing therapy in the past, it is likely that you will be provided with a recommendation for establishing a relationship with a provider in the community to ensure you have access to less limited mental health treatment.

Decisions regarding treatment recommendations are made by counselors in consultation with our director. When off-campus therapy is recommended or preferred by students, a counselor will support you through the process of getting connected. We will help identify several referral options and provide information on how to access health insurance benefits and transportation options. Local counseling options include providers within walking distance to campus, telehealth options, counseling services at the Mission Valley campus, and some that provide low or sliding scale fee services.

Common concerns that may be addressed in short-term therapy may include:

• Mild to moderate anxiety and depression
• Adjustment and developmental concerns
• Interpersonal concerns (friends, family, roommates, romantic partnerships)
• Self-esteem
• Concerns related to the transition to college
• Identity development related to various dimensions of identity (sexual, racial/ethnic, religious, gender, etc.)
• Academic performance concerns and motivation

Concerns that are commonly addressed through a referral to an off-campus provider may include:

• Students whose needs warrant treatment over multiple semesters
• Students needing more than once-a-week intervention on an ongoing basis
• Long-standing and/or significant depression, mood disorder, or anxiety concerns
• Active, significant eating disorders — our registered dietitian will consult with you to assist with treatment options
• Substance abuse
• History of inpatient treatment for mental health purposes

Students whose needs are determined to be beyond the scope of the Counseling Services through assessment with a counselor and for whom short-term counseling would not be an effective form of treatment

For more information on counseling services or to schedule an appointment to discuss what treatment options are best for you, please call (619) 849-3020 or visit the Wellness Counseling Center located in Taylor Hall.  Hours of operation are Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; closed 12 - 1 p.m. and for University holidays. If you need emergency assistance please call 911 or the Access and Crisis Line at (888) 724-7240.

The Wellness Counseling Center does not conduct psychological evaluations for the purpose of determining disability status and also does not make accommodations recommendations for persons who have been diagnosed with a disability. Our counselors can assist students to access services provided by the PLNU Education Accessibility (EAC) that include referrals to community practitioners for disability evaluation. For more information on disability support, call the EAC at (619) 849-2533, or visit their office at 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., in the Bond Academic Center.

Counseling Session Request Form 

Due to high demand, we are not able to schedule new in-person appointments at this time.

However, you are able to schedule a live meeting with a licensed clinical counselor through our telehealth resource, TimelyCare. This is available to you at no additional cost as a traditional undergraduate student at PLNU. You have 12 scheduled professional counseling sessions available per academic year.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by your emotions, questioning your emotional state, or just need someone to talk to, you have limitless access to TalkNow sessions (on-demand access to a mental health professional 24/7) on the Timelycare app. In addition, Access & Crisis line can provide help.

You are encouraged to take advantage of this service provided. 

Additional Resources for telehealth counseling or in-person therapy can be found HERE.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or concerned for your safety please contact the Access & Crisis line. Call 1 (888) 724-7240 to be connected to a therapist for immediate assistance within 1 minute. 

If this is an urgent matter, please call the Wellness Counseling Center (619) 849-3020 or walk-in during business hours M-F 8 a.m. - 4: 30 p.m. In case of an emergency, please call Public Safety (619) 849-2525 or 911.