What to Expect From Your MSJC Counselor Appointment

What happens at an MSJC counselor appointment

MSJC stands for Mojave Southern Junior College, and their counselors work with students on academic planning, course selection, and personal or mental health concerns that affect school performance. Your first appointment will likely be a combination of intake and planning — the counselor will ask about your background, what brought you in, and what you're hoping to work through or decide.

If you're coming in for mental health support specifically, the counselor will ask about your current situation, any symptoms you're experiencing, and whether you've seen a therapist or psychiatrist before. They'll also ask about your academic standing and whether stress, anxiety, depression, or other factors are getting in the way of your classes. This isn't an interrogation — it's how they figure out whether they can help you directly or whether you need a referral to someone else.

The appointment itself usually lasts 30 to 50 minutes. You'll sit in a private office, and what you say stays between you and the counselor, with a few exceptions: if you're in immediate danger, if someone else is in danger, or if there's abuse or neglect involved, the counselor is required to report. They'll explain those limits at the start.

Key Takeaways

• MSJC counselors are available to all enrolled students and handle both academic advising and mental health support, though they are not therapists and may refer you elsewhere for ongoing treatment.
• Your first appointment involves questions about your background, current concerns, and academic situation so the counselor can understand what kind of help you need.
• Counselor-student conversations are confidential except when someone is in immediate danger, abuse is involved, or a child is being harmed.
• You can schedule an appointment through the MSJC student portal, by calling your campus counseling office, or by walking in during drop-in hours if your campus offers them.
• If the counselor determines you need ongoing therapy or psychiatric care, they will give you referrals to community providers or the college's mental health resources.

How to schedule your appointment

MSJC has two main campuses — Victorville and Apple Valley — and each has its own counseling office. The fastest way to book is through the student portal if you have your login. Look for "Counseling Services" or "Student Services" and select "Schedule an Appointment." You'll see available time slots and can pick one that works for you.

If you don't have portal access or prefer to call, contact your campus counseling office directly. Victorville's main number is (760) 245-4271 and Apple Valley is (760) 242-2330. Ask for the counseling department and they'll tell you what slots are open. Some campuses also offer drop-in hours — usually early morning or between classes — so you can show up without an appointment if you need to talk to someone that day.

If you're in crisis or having thoughts of harming yourself, don't wait for an appointment. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 (call or text), or go to your nearest emergency room. MSJC counselors can also connect you to crisis resources when you call.

What to bring and how to prepare

Bring your student ID or the name and student number you registered with. You don't need to prepare a speech or have everything figured out — counselors expect you to be uncertain or confused about why you're there. If you're coming in about a specific issue (trouble concentrating, anxiety before exams, relationship stress, grief), it helps to have a rough sense of when it started and what's making it worse or better, but that's not required.

If you've seen a counselor, therapist, or psychiatrist before, bring the name and contact information if you have it. If you're on medication, know the name and dose — you don't have to have the bottle with you, but the counselor may ask. If you have any documents related to your concern (a letter from a doctor, records from a previous therapist, or notes about what you've tried), bring those too, but again, it's not necessary to start the conversation.

Arrive 5 to 10 minutes early so you can check in at the front desk. The counselor will call you back when they're ready, and you'll go to their office for the session.

What the counselor will ask you

Expect questions about your mental health history, current stressors, and how you're doing in school. They'll ask whether you're sleeping, eating, and exercising normally, and whether you've noticed changes in your mood, energy, or ability to concentrate. They may ask about substance use, family history of mental health conditions, and whether you've had thoughts of harming yourself or others. These aren't trick questions — they're standard screening questions that help the counselor understand what's going on.

They'll also ask about your support system: who you talk to when things are hard, whether you have friends or family nearby, and whether you feel isolated. They want to know what you're hoping to get out of counseling — whether you want to work through a specific problem, learn coping skills, figure out your next steps, or just have a space to talk.

You don't have to answer anything you're not comfortable with, and you can say "I'd rather not talk about that right now." A good counselor will respect that and move on.

Understanding what happens after your first appointment

After the first session, the counselor will either schedule you for follow-up appointments or give you a referral. If they think they can help you work through what's going on — managing test anxiety, processing a breakup, or building study skills — they'll offer you regular slots, usually weekly or every other week. These are short-term, typically 4 to 8 sessions, because MSJC counselors are stretched thin and focus on immediate support and problem-solving.

If you need longer-term therapy or psychiatric medication management, the counselor will refer you to community mental health providers. They may give you a list of therapists, psychiatrists, or clinics that accept your insurance or offer sliding-scale fees. Some referrals are to county mental health services, which are free or low-cost for students who may have access to. The counselor will explain the referral and help you understand next steps, but you'll be responsible for making the call and scheduling with the outside provider.

If the counselor thinks you're in crisis or at risk, they may involve your campus safety office or emergency services, and they'll tell you that's happening. This is rare and happens only when someone is in immediate danger.

What to do if you need help between appointments

If something urgent comes up between sessions — a panic attack, a conflict with a roommate, thoughts of harming yourself — contact your counselor's office right away. Leave a message with your name and a brief description of what's happening, and they'll try to fit you in or direct you to crisis support. If it's after hours or the office is closed, call 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or go to an emergency room.

MSJC may also have a crisis text line or peer support services — ask your counselor about those resources during your appointment. Some campuses have mental health apps or online resources available to students, and your counselor can point you to those as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my parents or the college find out what I talk about in counseling?

No. Counselor conversations are confidential and won't be shared with your parents, professors, or other college staff unless you're in immediate danger, someone else is being harmed, or a child is being abused. The counselor will explain those limits at the start of your first appointment. You can also ask them directly what they will and won't share.

Do I have to pay for counseling at MSJC?

No. Counseling services are included in your student fees and are free to all enrolled students. If you're referred to an outside provider, that may involve a copay or cost depending on your insurance, but the counselor will tell you what to expect before making the referral.

What if I don't think the counselor is helping?

Tell them. A good counselor wants to know if the approach isn't working and will either adjust or refer you to someone else. You can also ask to see a different counselor at your campus if you feel like there's a personality mismatch. You're not locked in — you can stop going at any time.

Can I see a counselor if I'm not sure what's wrong?

Yes. You don't need a diagnosis or a clear problem to come in. Many students see a counselor just to talk through stress, confusion, or big decisions. The counselor's job is to help you figure out what's going on, not to judge you for not having it all figured out already.

What if I need help on a weekend or holiday?

MSJC counseling offices are closed on weekends and holidays. If you're in crisis, call 988 or go to an emergency room. If it's urgent but not a crisis, leave a message with the counseling office and they'll get back to you when they reopen. Some community mental health centers have weekend or evening hours — your counselor can give you those numbers.