College can be hectic and stressful at times, but on-campus counselors are ready to help.
Del Mar’s Counseling Center provides students with free confidential individual, couple and group counseling. The center helps students who may have test anxiety, relationship problems, eating concerns or transitions in life and can help with strategies for handling mental health problems.
“Students can benefit by working with a counselor to develop more personal awareness and the skills needed to overcome barriers to success. They can also learn to reduce symptoms of stress, depression, anxiety or other related issues,” said Rita Hernandez, lead counselor.
Although free counseling can benefit students, the center also provides help to the student’s significant others and family as well. As long as one partner in the relationship is an enrolled student, they are eligible to begin couples counseling, Hernandez said.
For students who are concerned about family members, although the center cannot counsel the family directly they do offer consultations for the concerned student and their loved ones who may be looking for the next steps or referrals.
“Our counselors are highly trained and experienced with a variety of emotional health issues; we will be sure to match you with the counselor that can best serve you,” Hernandez said.
While offering free counseling the center also makes it a priority to provide mental health awareness and prevention programs such as Paws and Relax Pet Therapy and Let’s Taco ’Bout it.
The center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fridays. It is in the Harvin Center Room 223A on East Campus and the Health Science Building 1 Room 262 on West Campus.
“We provide informal consultations for those who may be wondering if counseling is right for them,” Hernandez said. “If counseling is not right for you at this time, please reach out to family, a friend or other trusted individuals for support.”
