The student health fee covers many services in our health services office including personal counseling and many medical services (check our services). The fee does not pay for insurance. We have information in the office about individual health and dental insurance that you can purchase for yourself.

If you are new to Student Health Services you may need to fill out some paperwork online, or you can come by to complete a new patient chart.  Once we have your completed forms, you can schedule your first appointment. If your chart is ready and it isn't your first time, just use the student health portal or visit our office to schedule your appointment. We'll be here to help you. 

Click here to schedule an appointment  with a nurse or a therapist.

Students pay a nominal fee for lab testing, prescription medications and some testing. All fees are due at time of service (payable by check, cash or banner). Appointments in the health center are free.

No, services at Student Health Services are confidential.

If you are an enrolled student, you can see a nurse or clinician whenever you need to see them. There is no limit to the number of times that you can be seen, however we do not manage chronic health conditions. So, if your illness requires more than a couple visits to treat, we will refer you out for that condition. You can still be seen in the health center for other acute issues though.

Our therapy sessions are limited. Students are allowed up to eight (8) sessions per semester that they seek services as is appropriate based on the student and defined in the Parameters for Mental Health Therapy Sessions.

If students need more than the 8 sessions, they are given community referrals that are appropriate for their needs. Since we do have long breaks in between semesters, it is often helpful for some students to have additional outside referrals to assist them.  We do not accept payment for our personal counseling services. The reason we limit it to 8 sessions per semester is not financial but rather an issue of accommodating all students who wish to utilize our services. If we offered unlimited sessions to all students, then we would not have space to serve as many students.

Click here for mental health resources

Yes, any current student who pays the student health fee can access services. Our therapy sessions are done in person and online.

We do not offer dental services, but we will refer you to low-cost providers in the community or you can call 1-800-DENTIST for referrals.

Click here for more health resources

We do not refill your current medications from another provider. We prescribe and dispense medications for conditions that our clinicians diagnose in the Student Health Center.

Yes!  Sexual and Reproductive health care is free and confidential.  Cuesta Student Health Center partners with The Center CapSLO one day a week to provide these services on our campus for students.  However, we do offer limited services during our regular operating hours, such as pregnancy testing and emergency contraception or we will refer you to a local clinic for free services if we cannot provide what you need.  If you need help with sexual reproductive services, and we are not open, call (805) 544-2478 or visit The Center’s webpage.

No, we do not provide complete physical exams.

We are not a primary care provider and do not manage chronic medical conditions. We will refer you to providers in the community who provide primary care.

We do not provide x-rays at the health center. The registered nurse or clinician will refer you to a community clinic that provides x-rays if it is necessary.

Students are allowed up to 8 sessions per semester that they seek services as is appropriate based on the student and defined in the Parameters for Mental Health Therapy Sessions.

If a student, who has exceeded their maximum session allocation, is in crisis, they can be seen for a crisis intervention session leading to potential referral to the community. Students may also come in at any time seeking a community referral.

40-50 minutes.

Yes, normally you are scheduled with a therapist who fits best with your schedule and if you are comfortable with this counselor you would have all your sessions with him or her.

No, any student can talk to a therapist/counselor for any reason. Sometimes we just need someone to listen to us or to get a different perspective on our life. Any issue no matter how small it may seem is worth talking to a counselor about.

We see everything you can imagine, but the most common issues are: stress, anxiety ( including test-anxiety), relationship issues, depression, grief and loss, alcohol/drug or other addiction concerns, eating disorders, self-esteem issues, low motivation, procrastination, loneliness and/or isolation, homesickness, financial concerns, sexual assault, sexual identity confusion and difficulty transitioning to being independent from one's family. 

Yes, everything that you share with your therapist is confidential with some state-mandated exceptions. These include: 1) reported current sexual, physical or emotional abuse to a minor, dependent adult or elder and 2) reported intent to harm oneself or someone else. Otherwise, all information shared is strictly confidential including the fact that you are seeing a therapist/counselor.

Absolutely not! All paperwork that is filled out in Student Health Services is kept locked in our confidential files and is not part of the students' records in the admissions office.

Yes! If one of you is a currently registered student at Cuesta, you can bring a friend, roommate, child, significant other or family member to counseling with you.

If students need more than the 8 sessions, they are given community referrals that are appropriate for their needs. Since we do have long breaks in between semesters, it is often helpful for some students to have additional outside referrals to assist them.

Yes, our sessions are either in person or telehealth via Zoom.

Of course not. You are eligible with your student health fee for 8 sessions per semester, but that does not mean that if you come in you must be seen five more times that semester. Sometimes one session can be just what you needed to get clarity on an issue. It is up to you whether you would like to reschedule.

If you are experiencing an emergency during the hours that Student Health Services is open, (Monday- Friday) please call us at 805-546-3171 or visit our virtual lobby and let us know that you would like to get a message to your therapist or to see whoever is available for a crisis appointment that day (your therapist may not be available but another therapist will be able to help you or refer you to an appropriate community agency). If you are experiencing an emergency outside of our normal business hours you can call the 24-hour community crisis line at 1 (800) 783-0607, the SLO Hotline for 24-hour suicide and crisis support by calling (805) 783-0607 or text "courage" to 741741 or 911.

Our therapists are only available during each semester and when they are on campus during their scheduled hours. Therapists will give you community referrals if you would like counseling or support in between semesters. You can visit our webpage for community referrals: Health resources