How to Make an Appointment

To make a mental health appointment, call our front desk number 707 527-4445 or email studenthealthservices@santarosa.edu. If on the Santa Rosa campus, you can also stop by our offices on the third floor of Bertolini.

 

General Information about Student Psychological Services

Student Psychological Services (SPS) is a program designed to serve SRJC students who are experiencing stress or other emotional difficulties. Frequently, these difficulties affect a student's academic performance or their ability to function effectively in social, academic, or work settings. To assist students in overcoming these challenges, we offer individual, couples, and group therapy to SRJC students that are enrolled in credit courses. Overall, we provide more than 2000 counseling hours each year for students on the Santa Rosa and Petaluma campuses.

SPS provides counseling to assist with issues such as: panic or anxiety, depression, grief and loss, identity struggles, relationship difficulties, substance abuse, eating disorders, or test anxiety. At SPS students find a safe and positive place to address their difficulties. They learn to feel better in general and develop more self-esteem. Many find they are able to function more effectively in relationships and to focus and perform more successfully in their classes.

SPS services are provided free of charge, as the Health Fee paid each semester by credit-enrolled students supports the department's services. Free access assures there are no financial barriers to receiving needed services.

 

Drop-In Services

Our drop-in sessions have two purposes. First, drop-in services are for students with immediate and critical needs. Second, they are an entry point into our system, a place where a student obtains an assessment of their situation and determination of next steps. For students with chronic conditions or those requiring specialized services, the drop-in session is a place to learn of resources in the community that can best meet their needs. For students with situational issues, the drop-in can lead to ongoing individual or couples therapy (see section below). Call us at our main number listed on this page to set up your appointment.

 

Individual and Couples Therapy

Individual and Couples Therapy is typically short-term. On-going therapy averages six sessions. Any type of couple may be seen, romantic or otherwise, and the second person does not need to be a SRJC student. Call us at our main number listed on this page to set up your appointment.

 

Group Therapy

SPS offers group therapy that focuses on different topics each semester. Group therapy can be more effective than individual therapy. Group therapy provides a safe and confidential place to share and explore your concerns as well as receive support around various issues. A group is a natural extension of the way we live and interact with others and empowers group members to give and receive feedback and support as they experiment with new ways of being. Some groups are population and/or issue specific, while other groups consist of skill building and experiential learning. Groups form throughout the semester and usually end the week before finals.

Groups for the current semester are located on the Current Events page.

 

Student Psychological Services Staff

SPS graduate and pre-doctoral interns provide most of the therapy to students. They are supervised by SPS licensed mental health providers. SRJC's Student Psychological Services program is certified by the California Psychology Internship Council (CAPIC) and the Bay Area Practicum Information Collaborative (BAPIC). We also have a licensed Spanish-speaking therapist who provides therapy in Spanish.

 

Confidentiality

Everything you share with an SPS therapist is kept confidential, including the fact that you received therapy. We place an enormous emphasis on protecting your confidentiality communication with us. We want you to know that aside from the exceptions noted below and in the linked document, no identifying information - written or otherwise - about your contact with SPS/SHS will be disclosed to anyone outside SPS/SHS without your written authorization. This includes academic and staff departments, other campus entities, and friends and family; no one gets to know what you talk about unless you want them to know. (If you are under the age of 18, please call for information about our confidentiality policy.)

The main exceptions the confidentiality can arise when:

  • You state intent to harm yourself or someone else.
  • You report current abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult or child.
  • There is a court order, or if you or your attorney discuss your mental state as a defense in a criminal or civil action.

Our Confidentiality document provides greater detail on these policies including some other technical exceptions. Should you have questions about confidentiality, please feel free to discuss this with us.

 

 

Training Program

Student Psychological Services offers a training program for graduate students studying psychology. Our program is half-time and one or two years. Each year we select six -to-seven students. Some are at the CAPIC internship level, others are pursuing BAPIC practicum placements, and some are working on masters degrees. Doctoral and masters-level students may apply. A lengthy description of the program and application information is available at our SPS Training Program webpage.

 

For additional information, please contact Bert Epstein at bepstein@santarosa.edu or call our front desk line at 707 527-4445