Life Skills Center
The Life Skills Center at
Los Angeles Harbor College
There are times in everyone's life when one feels stuck or needs someone to talk to. You are not alone. The Life Skills Center offers personal and psycho-educational group counseling, with an emphasis on student success and family support.
How to find us
Hours: Walk-in sessions are available at the Student Health Center, CA 110
Monday and Friday 10 a.m. � 12 noon
Tuesday through Thursday 11 am � 1 p.m.
Individual sessions by appointment.
Appointments are scheduled by therapist or by calling
(310) 233-4586
Locations: The Life Skills Center
Library front corridor: LRC 129, for private and group sessions
The administrative office: CAFE 108
Student Health Center: CAFE 110, walk in sessions
Common Issues
Our staff consists of a licensed psychologist who supervises eight marriage and family therapist trainees and pre and post-doctoral interns.
Students discuss problems related to test anxiety, math anxiety, worries about grades, stress management, time management, depression, relationship issues, child and family problems, dating problems, trauma, loneliness, divorce, self-esteem, reactions to violence and domestic abuse, sexual abuse and rape, uncertainty, communication problems, fears, substance abuse and other unidentified learning problems. No problem is too big or too small to bring to counseling.
Individual Counseling: Everyone�s concerns are unique. Usually, you meet with an individual counselor from one to six times. If issues of importance are not resolved in that time, special arrangements may be made for additional sessions or the student will be referred to an outside agency or therapist.
Group Counseling: Small groups of students who share similar concerns meet with a counselor weekly to share and learn from each other. Support group communications are confidential. A variety of groups have been offered, depending on student�s needs.
Workshops: Throughout the academic year workshops are offered to provide students with effective communication skills, stress management, parenting skills, self motivation techniques, conflict resolution, and help dealing with issues like loneliness, anger, and fears. The workshops vary and are sometimes co-sponsored by other campus services.
Eligibility
Any enrolled student is eligible for services.
Fees
Our services are free to eligible students. Occasionally a student�s problems are more complex and we will make a referral to an outside agency or mental health provider. In some cases those agencies or providers will charge for their services.
Confidentiality
All counseling sessions are confidential within legal constraints. Your records are not part of your student academic record. Information shared in counseling sessions may be discussed during consultation or intern supervision, but will not be disclosed outside the Life Skills Center.
California law mandates that your communications and identity be kept confidential. However, we are required by law to report child abuse, elder abuse, or abuse of a dependent adult to the state. We are also required to report any concern we have about a client hurting herself or himself or anyone else to the authorities. Also, if we receive a court order to release records to the court we are mandated to comply.
Student Rights
You have rights in counseling to:
Expect respectful, helpful treatment
Expect a safe environment
Know the limits of confidentiality
Expect your counselor to be available for appointments and in a crisis
Expect that if your counselor is not available arrangements will be made to assist you in crisis
Refuse to answer any question
Request a transfer copy of your file to any therapist or agency you choose
Request information about the counsel9r�s experience and capacities
Report unethical and illegal behavior by a counselor
Terminate therapy at any time you are ready to do so
Therapeutic Orientation
The Life Skills Center offers brief person-centered therapy designed to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for our students' success in academia, in relationships, and in their future.