Counseling Services

Mission Statement:

The mission of the South Mountain Community College Counseling Division is to support all students, faculty and staff by providing instruction and services that promote personal development, foster academic and professional growth, as well as enhance mental health, wellness, and resiliency.

Personal Counseling & Development Services:

The Counseling Division provides free counseling services for currently enrolled students regarding life skills, career exploration/planning, and crisis intervention. Our counselors work to support and empower students in achieving their academic, professional, and personal goals. For example

  1. Navigating college, transitions, and next steps
  2. Academic concerns (test anxiety, time management, stress management, etc).
  3. Goal setting and personal support
  4. Eliminating self-defeating behavior
  5. Support during a crisis
  6. Referrals to campus and community resources

Community Referrals

* Please Note: Counseling faculty do not practice as behavioral health clinicians and do not provide mental health services on campus ; therefore, you may be referred to one of the following community resources:

  • Psychotherapy
  • Long-term therapy
  • Clinical mental health care
  • Diagnosis and treatment plans
  • Resolution of significant past traumas
  • Specialized care (PTSD, addiction, family therapy, etc.)
  • Medication
  • Ongoing crisis and trauma care

Frequently Asked Questions:

Counseling is available, at no charge, to all students enrolled at South Mountain Community College, as well as all faculty and staff.

  1. Academic advising is for students who need assistance with academic information or help developing an educational plan. To meet with an Academic Advisor, please click here.
  2. Counseling is for students who need help with personal matters. You can discuss topics such as developing better study skills, well-being, managing stress, responding to crises, setting goals, and/or resources for mental health assistance.

  1. Your privacy will always be respected, but please note that all counselors maintain student privacy as outlined by FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) guidelines, and, like other college representatives, may release information as permitted by FERPA or in circumstances involving the safety of students or others.
  2. Counselors are mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to report knowledge of gender-based or sexual discrimination that involves MCCCD students or employees, including sexual harassment or sexual violence that creates a hostile environment on campus.

<p>
   <strong>Immediate Crisis Support Resources:</strong>
</p>
<ul>
   <li>
       <a href="https://www.azahcccs.gov/BehavioralHealth/crisis.html" target="_blank"><strong>Maricopa County Crisis Line</strong></a> - <a href="tel:602-222-9444">602-222-9444</a>
   </li>
   <li>
       <a href="https://www.azahcccs.gov/BehavioralHealth/crisis.html" target="_blank"><strong>Local Teen Hotline</strong></a> - <a href="tel:602-248-8336">602-248-8336</a>
   </li>
   <li>
       <a href="https://www.azahcccs.gov/BehavioralHealth/crisis.html" target="_blank"><strong>National Suicide Prevention Hotline</strong></a> - <a href="tel:1-800-273-8255">1-800-273-8255</a> or Text HOME to 741741
   </li>
   <li>
       <a href="https://211arizona.org/" target="_blank" title="211 Arizona"><strong>211 Arizona</strong></a> - In Arizona dial: <a href="tel:211">2-1-1</a> Or call: <a href="tel:1-877-211-8661">1-877-211-8661</a>
   </li>
</ul>
<p>
   <strong>Low Cost Mental Health Resources:</strong>
</p>
<ul>
   <li>
       <a href="http://www.bfcsfamily.org/" target="_blank"><strong>Black Family &amp; Child Services</strong></a> - <a href="tel:602-243-1773">602-243-1773</a>
   </li>
   <li>
       <a href="https://www.sbhservices.org/" target="_blank"><strong>Southwest Behavioral &amp; Health Services</strong></a> - <a href="tel:602-268-8748">602-268-8748</a>
   </li>
</ul>
<p>
   You can also email <a href="mailto:counseling@southmountaincc.edu">counseling@southmountaincc.edu</a> for a list of comprehensive resources regarding nutrition assistance, housing, and mental health.
</p>

Academic Instruction

Our team of faculty has developed a curriculum to address student needs both inside and outside of the classroom. SMCC’s first-year experience (FYE), counseling and personal development (CPD) courses  focus on the personal, educational, and career interests of students. We offer:

  • Academic Instruction
  • FYE101: Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success 1 credit
  • FYE103: Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 3 credits
  • CPD160 Introduction to  Multiculturalism 3 credits
  • CPD180 Human Resilience: Cognitive, Emotional, and Behavioral Applications 3 credits
    *Students will also have the opportunity to earn 4 nationally recognized certifications as a part of their CPD 180 course completion:
    • Certified Resilience Professional (CRP) through the Arizona Trauma Institute and International Trauma Institute
      Certified Academic Resilience Technician (a-ART) through the National Institute of Behavioral Medicine
      Mindfulness-Informed Technician (c-MIT) through the National