Founded in 1984, South Coast Community Services (SCCS) set out to take a leadership role in filling a critical hole in the safety net of our communities. SCCS saw a significant and under-met need to provide shelter, care, therapy and essential support services for those who are too often left behind: abused, neglected and underprivileged children and youth. Over the intervening 30+ years, SCCS has grown and expanded to provide a wide variety of services in homes, in clinics, and in community settings to people in all walks of life who "sometimes need a little help".
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Services Offered
In-Clinic & in-Community
We provide a broad spectrum of mental health counseling, therapy, and psychiatric services. Ages from four years old, to teens, to younger adults, to older adults. We have clinics in San Bernardino County and Orange County.
We have community-based programs, too. That means we come meet with kids and their families at their schools, homes, and sometimes at community locations.
We serve over 8,000 kids, teens, and adults each year... plus their families. May we have the honor of helping you?
Fees and Payment
Almost all of our services are funded by outside sources, like County government, school districts, or Special Education Local Plan Areas.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens Children
Special Groups: Bilingual
Payment: Pro-bono
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?
Qualifying for assistance from California's program usually depends on the severity of your condition and financial circumstance. Read our full guide to California's program.
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.
