Counseling Center

Scope of Services

The Counseling Center engages a wide array of interdisciplinary mental health services to provide high-quality, student-focused care. The Counseling Center is specifically designed to be a resource for PLNU traditional undergraduate students who aim to grow and thrive emotionally through their university years. Counseling services are customized to the specific needs and strengths of each student through the use of a Stepped Care Model. All services are designed to support students with developing and maintaining emotional well-being, achieving their educational and personal goals, and promoting a healthy and inclusive community through relationship building, education, crisis intervention, and support. When off-campus referrals are recommended or preferred by students, 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 come up or need to be addressed in Counseling Center services may include:

• Mild to moderate anxiety and depression
• Adjustment and developmental
• Interpersonal (friends, family, roommates, romantic partnerships)
• Self-esteem
• Transition to and out of college
• Identity (developmental, sexual, racial/ethnic, religious, gender, etc.)
• Academic performance and motivation
• Sexual Assault or other Title IX related issues
• Issues common to student athletes and nursing majors (performance expectations, perfectionism, life balance etc.)
• Demographics

The Counseling Center provides clinical and campus-based assistance to all undergraduate students registered for classes on the main campus. The age range typically seen is between 18-23 but can vary. When seeing a client that is 17 years of age or younger, remember that child mandates apply for clinical services.

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 Counseling Center located in Taylor Hall.  Hours of operation are Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; closed 12:15 - 12:45 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 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 Services Request Form 

Are you a traditional undergraduate student interested in beginning counseling sessions on the Point Loma campus? Please complete the Counseling Services Request form and we will reach out shortly. We look forward to serving you!