Mental Health Counseling

Free, confidential personal counseling is available for all currently enrolled students who pay the student health fee, regardless of their citizenship status. Students come with all types of concerns, big or small. You do not have need ot have a serious psychological issue to reach out.

Get started with Cranium Cafe using our help resources.

Video chat on Cranium Cafe with Melissa DaPonte

To schedule appointment with Melissa, please email her at melissa.daponte@missioncollege.edu. Please include your name, phone number and ID.

Mental Health Counseling Includes

Individual psychotherapy, up to eight free sessions per semester.
Referral to DSPS accommodations.
Information and referral to campus and community resources.

What are Some Things I Can Talk About?

Whatever is on your mind
Stress and anxiety
Relationships and communication
Substance use and addiction
Death or loss
Suicidal thoughts
Academic pressure
Depression and loneliness
Sexuality and gender
Disordered eating
Cultural adjustment
Sexual assault

Who Are the Staff?

Licensed mental health professionals.

What About Privacy? Are Services Confidential?

Yes. Student Health Services maintains a strict policy of confidentiality with HIPAA guidelines.

For Crisis Help

24 Hour Suicide and Crisis Service, County of Santa Clara: (855)278-4204.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800)273-8255.
911 for Life Threatening Emergencies.
Crisis Text Line: Text COURAGE to 741741.

Therapy Assistance Online (TAO)

TAO-v3-EXPLAINER-US-Website from TAO Connect on Vimeo.

Therapy Assistance Online (TAO) is an interactive and easy-to-access online program designed to address issues related to anxiety, depression, and other concerns commonly faced by university students.

TAO is tailored to fit your schedule and your needs. The exercises can be completed through a smartphone, tablet, or computer and are accessible 24/7. TAO self-help is free, anonymous, and self-directed. It does not require counselor approval.

How to Register for TAO

In your browser window, navigate to https://us.taoconnect.org/register.
Enter First Name, Last Name, and your school email address.
Create a password and confirm your password.
Leave the 'Enrollment Key' field blank.
Click sign me up.
Check your email. You will be sent a Welcome to TAO email with a confirmation link which you must click on to sign in.