Mental Health Counseling

Your success matters—and so does your well-being. At Austin Community College, we understand that college can be exciting, but it can also be challenging to juggle classes, work, relationships, and more. Our Mental Health Counseling team is here for you. We provide confidential services, wellness programs, and resources across the district to help you build resilience, manage stress, and stay safe, healthy, and balanced—so you can thrive in and out of the classroom.

SCOPE OF SERVICE

The Austin Community College Mental Health Counseling team provides counseling services to support ACC students’ personal, emotional, and mental health needs. These services are available by appointment at no cost to students who meet the following criteria: currently enrolled in a semester (Credit, Adult Education, Continuing Education), physically located in Texas, and not presently receiving counseling from an outside counselor. 

These services can include:

• Initial assessment of needs 
• Short-term, solution-focused or goal-oriented counseling
• Up to 12 sessions within 12-months
• Individual counseling
• Psychoeducational, open and ongoing workshops
• Counseling Groups
• De-escalation/Coping skills
• Referrals to on or off campus resources
• Services are available In-person or video telemental health  

Note: Students under 18 years of age are required by Texas State Law (Texas Family Code Chapter 32.004) to obtain permission from a Parent, Legal Guardian or Managing Conservator to receive counseling services (exceptions apply in accordance with state law). Once you submit a request, the team will provide you with additional information.

SCOPE OF PRACTICE

Austin Community College Mental Health Counselors are dedicated to providing ethical, confidential, and student-centered care. Our Licensed Professional Counselors and Licensed Clinical Social Work Counselors adhere to the highest standards of their respective licensing boards and are committed to supporting the mental well-being of our diverse student body.

Following an initial intake assessment, counseling sessions are offered based on individual student needs. To ensure ethical mental health support, we also provide community referral assistance for students needing long-term counseling. This includes help in identifying providers who offer cost-effective options or who accept the student’s insurance.

Concerns commonly treated include, but are not limited to the following:

• Mild to moderate anxiety, depression, and stress management
• Grief and loss 
• Managing symptoms of trauma 
• Self-esteem concerns
• Identity development issues  
• Adjustment issues such as transitioning to college life or new life circumstances
• Academic-related issues such as difficulty with attention, motivation, perfectionism, test anxiety, or self-management
• Interpersonal relationship issues such as break-ups, interpersonal conflict, communication, assertiveness, and family issues

Services Outside Our Scope of Practice:

While we are here to support as many students as possible, some services fall outside of what we can ethically and sustainably provide. We provide referral assistance for the following types of care

• Eating disorders
• Substance use disorders requiring clinical treatment
• Complex trauma
• Chronic or severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD
• Personality Disorders
• Severe mood or psychotic disorders; psychosis, hallucinations, mania, or delusions 
• Psychological or neuropsychological testing (e.g., ADHD or learning disability assessments)
• DSM Diagnosis (mental disorder)
• Ongoing care after hospitalization for mental health issues
• Medication management or psychiatric services
• Court-mandated or Child Protective Services counseling documentation
• Requests for letters of support concerning any mental health counseling services including, but not limited to the following: scholarship letters, emotional support animals, and accommodations.

Note: The counselor holds professional discretion to terminate and/or end the session(s).

Request Presentations, Trainings or Events

If you would like for one of our Mental Health Professionals to attend an event, schedule a workshop, or present please submit your request with ample advance notice. A confirmation of the event request will be emailed separately.