PLNU Counseling Center Community Referral Resource Guide
Things to consider as you seek counseling services
The process of seeking support in a long-term counseling setting can feel frustrating and overwhelming at times. It is important to remember that you are doing the right thing for you, and ultimately you are worth it. As you “shop around” for a counselor that best fits your needs or way of engaging here are some things to consider:
- Be mindful of the fact that you are the consumer in this process. You are the one either paying for or opting into services. It is normal to feel a little anxious when meeting a professional for the first time. You are looking for a clinician who fits your style and whose style is effective for your needs.
- Before your first appointment, you may want to find out a few things about your counselor: What’s their education/ training in; do they have experience with your presenting issue(s); what are their views on things like spirituality, cultural competency or human sexuality; license or supervision status; theoretical orientation; fees associated with services; duration of how long you can expect to be in therapy.
- Some other things to be aware of may include: counselor office location, do they offer telehealth, do your schedules align, counselor attentiveness, promptness, and office environment (e.g. is it noisy, busy, or unconducive to your mental needs being met)
- Remember, like most relationships it may take time to find the right fit. That work and change can feel challenging. Since progress can take time, sometimes it can be helpful to frame your first few weeks of counseling with a new counselor as a “trial run” with them as your clinician.
- In that trial run if things aren’t going the way you feel they should, discuss this with that counselor. If you continue with them for a few more sessions and nothing changes, it may be good to consider seeking out a new counselor.
This process can feel tough and at times repetitive or frustrating. Remember it’s all about finding the right fit for you! You are taking the first step in seeking support and that is worth all of the time and effort necessary.
Hotlines and Other Numbers
These are important numbers to be aware of for general resources or if you should find yourself in a crisis.
- San Diego County General Resource Info Line: 211
- San Diego County Access and Crisis Line: 1- 888-724 -7240
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
- Trevor Project Lifeline: 1(866)488-7386- LGBTQ allied Crisis line
- Domestic Violence Hotline:1-888-799-SAFE (7233)
If you should find yourself in immediate danger PLEASE DIAL 911
Community Resources Free/ Sliding Scale Options
Center for Enriching Relationships
Phone: (619) 858-3105 or (619) 280-3430
Counseling Center in collaboration with PLNU’s Graduate program. Comes at a significant reduction in cost for current students. Staff is comprised of Alumni, Master’s Students (clinical counseling), and Associate level clinicians.
Urban Restoration
Phone: (619) 648-1158
No-cost to low cost counseling services for individuals, couples and families. You can see an associate therapist or licensed therapist for a range of costs along a sliding scale.
Bloom Counseling
Phone:(858) 327-0752
Community option in association with Cultivate Counseling Collective. They utilize Graduate students and Associates for services alike. Available for low costs or sliding scale options.
Center for Community Solutions
Phone: (858) 272-5777
A counseling center composed of licensed and pre-licensed therapists who provide individual, group, family, and child counseling using trauma-informed approaches. Specializes in working with survivors of Domestic Violence at low and sliding scale costs.
San Diego LGBTQ Community Center
Phone:(619) 692-2077
The Center offers a wide selection of counseling services. Services offered include individual, couple/family, and group counseling. Counseling services are available to the LGBTQ community across the spectrum of identities or needs.
Family Health Centers of San Diego
Phone: (619) 515-2338
San Diego’s most comprehensive public healthcare resource. Offer’s low to no cost counseling services. Takes Medicare/ Medi-Cal coverage along with other public insurance options.
San Diego Addiction and Drug Rehab
Phone: (800) 586-9670
Directory of Addiction and Drug Rehabilitation Programs across San Diego County.
Insurance Based Options
Psychiatric Centers of San Diego
A directory of offices across San Diego County. It contains Therapists with ranging credentials that take various networks of insurance.
Urban Restoration
Phone: (619) 648-1158
Takes insurance providers to work with licensed professionals in the center as well.
Cultivate Counseling Center
Phone: (858) 355-7998
A local counseling collective that accepts various insurance providers to see licensed professionals. Employs some PLNU Alum.
San Diego Institute for Couples and Families
Phone: (619) 542-1052
Insurance based option based locally with Alumni and current staff represented among their staff.
Helpful Filtering Sites
These websites are directories and filtering sites. Using these you can help narrow your search. This can help you filter through clinicians based on factors such as, Gender, License type, Specialty, or Insurance network. They can be helpful tools to help narrow a somewhat broad net.
- https://www.inclusivetherapists.com/
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
- https://openpathcollective.org
- https://www.therapyden.com/
Are you a current PLNU undergraduate student?
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