Every California community college has a counseling department designed to offer assistance for everything from career and personal advice to psychological counseling. The counseling offices are generally open every day of the work week and take appointments via the Internet or telephone. Basic psychological counseling services can address issues of trauma, interpersonal issues, relationship issues, family or couples counselingc and a number of other issues. Whether you wish to seek counseling for a short time or an extended period, you can schedule appointments and a course of action that best suit your needs.
The advising services of the California Community College act in a supplementary role to the psychological counseling services to help advise the students in practical ways that will help them set and achieve positive goals. The counseling departments of the California community colleges offer services including goal setting, academic counseling and tutoring, career development, and class and major selection advice, as well as personal achievement and development.
The California community colleges have programs geared to give special assistance to a variety of underserved or underrepresented portions of the student body. Several of the colleges have organizations for the support of gay and lesbian students and staff, addressing their specific needs and promoting their professional and academic success. The counseling centers also have disability support services which address the needs of students with disabilities. Some colleges have programs, like Glendale Community College's EOPS (Extended Opportunity Programs and Services), designed to assist students in overcoming language, educational or economic barriers to their academic success.
All the California community colleges have online counseling resources. Their websites list a number of resources on campus and on the web, including suicide prevention, live online counseling, students' mental health rights advocacy groups, and lists of outside mental health resources. Through these sites students can make appointments, talk to counselors in real-time, ask questions and seek advice. The counselors available online can help students determine the course of action or program best suited to the student's mental health needs.