Individual Counseling Appointments
Individual Brief Counseling is confidential short-term therapy available to all registered UC Davis students at no charge. The first appointment, also known as a “Counseling Assessment and Resources Visit” in Health-e-Messaging, will help clarify if short-term individual counseling is recommended. If long-term ongoing therapy is recommended after your initial counseling session(s), a referral out to a therapist off campus can be made with the help of a counseling services case manager.
Please note: If you want to make a more specific request, such as changing counselors or making an appointment with a specific counselor, please call 530-752-0871 rather than using Health-e-Messaging. While graduate students are welcome to schedule appointments with any of the counselors, additional resources can be found on the Grad Studies website.
You can make an appointment for individual brief counseling online at Health-e-Messaging or by calling 530-752-0871.
Group Counseling
Group counseling offers a supportive space to connect with other students who may be navigating similar experiences. Led by licensed counselors, groups combine professional guidance with the unique opportunity to learn from and support peers. Most groups meet weekly and include 6 to 8 students in a welcoming, confidential environment where everyone participates at their own comfort level. Visit the Group Counseling webpage for information on how to join a group.
Community Advising Network (CAN) Counselors
The Community Advising Network (CAN) comprises a diverse team of counselors who are here to help students achieve their goals and address factors that may be affecting their academic success. The goal of the CAN Program is to decrease barriers, thus increase access to mental health services for all students, especially students from underserved and underrepresented communities. CAN Counselors are here to support students through informal consultations and/or through therapy.
To schedule your first appointment with a CAN counselor, reach out to them directly via email rather than scheduling through Health-e-Messaging. Visit the SHCS webpage on CAN counselors to learn what campus units and communities they serve.
Same-Day Crisis Appointments
If students are experiencing a mental health crisis, they have a few options to get care with Counseling Services. At SHCS, students will never be turned away for not being “in crisis enough.”
- Students in crisis can visit the Acute Care Clinic during business hours. Counselors help staff the Acute Care Clinic which is located on the first floor of the Student Health and Wellness Center.
- Students can also call Counseling Services during business hours at 530-752-0871 and ask for a crisis appointment over Zoom.
- After hours, when SHCS is closed, students can be accessed and given recommendations for next steps by calling 530-752-0871 and following the after hours prompts to be connected to a 3rd party counselor for support.
Navigating Long-Term Ongoing Therapy in the Community
UC Davis Counseling Services provides short-term therapy but can support students as they navigate finding a counselor off campus that provides ongoing therapy. Counseling Services has partnered with Welltrack Connect to help students find off campus therapists. Visit Welltrack Connect, and “Login with school SSO” to search and filter through therapists in the area. If you need additional assistance, please contact SHCS Insurance Services or visit them on the 3rd floor of the Student Health and Wellness Center if you need help navigating getting a therapist that is covered under your insurance. Insurance services can assist if you have UC SHIP or your own private insurance.
Eating Disorder Services
Student Health and Counseling Services provides group and individual services for those seeking guidance concerning eating disorders. Please visit the Eating Disorders Services webpage to learn more about the services offered.
Counseling Services Mission and Values
We Welcome ALL Students
- ALL Races & Ethnicities
- ALL Religions
- ALL Countries of Origin
- ALL Sexual Orientations
- ALL Gender Identities
- ALL Abilities
Regardless of Insurance Provider
Our Mission
Counseling Services provides student-centered mental health services, advocacy, outreach, and consultation to promote psychological well-being and academic success.
Our Values
Safety: We create welcoming and confidential environments for student and community support.
Social Justice: We value social justice through community engagement and challenging ourselves to fight inequality, marginalization, and oppression.
Development: We support the development of our profession through training early career professionals and supporting the continued education of Counseling Services staff.
Best Practices: We are committed to providing culturally responsive services rooted in best practices.
Collaboration: We foster a community-wide approach to psychological well-being and collaborate with faculty, staff, and medical colleagues in this shared responsibility.
Personalized Goals: We acknowledge that student success can be defined in many ways and we work with students on their paths to personal and academic goals.
Well-Being: We believe the community we serve benefits from a commitment to Counseling Services staff well-being.