West County Health Centers, Inc. is a private, non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center, receiving Section 330 grant funding from the federal government to provide quality health services to the whole community, regardless of ability to pay.
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Services Offered
Behavioral Health Services
At WCHC, we offer Behavioral Health care including crisis counseling and brief therapy for specific behavioral issues. Services are available to all patients of WCHC including adults, adolescents and children. Our Behavioral Health providers work with you and your medical provider and care team to help you manage and achieve your health care goals. Behavioral health can support you in learning to manage chronic health conditions such as diabetes or hypertension, work on weight management, addictions to drugs, alcohol, tobacco or food, help to reduce and manage depression and anxiety, learn to cope effectively with stress, and help with chronic pain issues. Behavioral health sessions can be anywhere from one to several visits depending upon your needs and goals.
We also offer longer term counseling and psychotherapy for adults through regular weekly to biweekly visits with a licensed mental health provider. We provide support for a wide range of presenting issues, including depression and other mood disorders, anxiety and panic, abuse and trauma issues, HIV/ AIDS issues, relationship problems, gay/ lesbian issues, and stress management. Services are available to individuals and, on a limited basis, to couples or families. The number of sessions scheduled will be based upon your medical and mental health needs and goals and are determined with your mental health provider.
Fees and Payment
We accept most major insurances including Medicare (Medicare Advantage fee for service plans also accepted) and Medi-Cal.
Free and low cost programs for the uninsured: The following programs provide services based on income for uninsured or individuals who are underinsured.
SLIDING SCALE: Discounted services including medical, dental and mental health.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens Children
Special Groups: LGBTQ
Payment: Sliding Scale Medicare Medicaid
If You Call, Please Let Us Know How it Went:
Were You Able to Make an Appointment?
One quick last question. Who was seeking counseling today?
Do you know the reason they are not accepting clients?
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.