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Counseling Center

The Vanguard University Counseling Center (VUCC) exists to empower individuals to live a more productive, responsible and holistic Christian lifestyle through Christian care, compassion, professional competence and shared knowledge.

It is within this atmosphere of love and God's grace that VUCC assists students in identifying and understanding negative emotions and destructive behaviors that are the result of life's problems. This process fosters change and growth by helping students develop new habits, which contribute to productive and healthy living.

One task of VUCC is to provide effective clinical services while equipping future Christian professionals. Therefore, the Counseling Center serves as a training ground for doctoral students in Psychology, as well as graduate students in Marriage and Family Therapy. VUCC provides intensive supervision and evaluation of its clinicians by licensed therapists.

Students come to the Vanguard University Counseling Center (VUCC) for a variety of reasons. Some are looking for help in coping with the pressures associated with a challenging academic environment or adjustment to college life. Others want to learn how to be more effective in developing, negotiating, or maintaining relationships with others. Counseling can be beneficial for students who are feeling depressed or anxious, as well as those who want to examine their beliefs or explore their current life situation.

VUCC offers students the opportunity to look at themselves and their environment and to change the way they think, feel, and behave so that they can make the most of their time at Vanguard University. VUCC provides free services to currently enrolled undergraduate, graduate and SPS students. These services include:

  • Individual counseling
  • Couples counseling
  • Premarital counseling
  • Group counseling
  • Crisis intervention
  • Training and educational workshops

Please contact us to schedule an appointment or get additional information. VUCC discourages the use of email to communicate with our office, as the confidentiality of these messages cannot be guaranteed. In emergency situations, first call 911 and then contact the Department of Campus Safety.

Therapists

The therapists at VUCC are graduate-level MFT Trainees or Doctoral Practicum Students who work under the supervision of the Director and Clinical Supervisor. The staff is selected each year on the basis of competence, interest in serving college students, and freedom from bias in meeting the needs of Vanguard’s diverse student population. VUCC works with therapists from the graduate programs at Vanguard University, Azusa Pacific University, Chapman University, Hope International University and Pepperdine University, as well as from the doctoral programs at Azusa Pacific University, Fuller University and Rosemead.

MFT and Psychologist Trainees interested in applying for practicum at the VUCC, should send a Cover Letter, CV/Resume, and Statement of Faith to CounselingCenter@vangaurd.edu. Psychologist Trainees should also include two letters of recommendation. Trainees may view this brief video for more information.

Elizabeth Banks, BA

Titles: Assistant Director
Email:
Phone Numbers:
School: 714-619-6482

Rachael Berg-Martinez, PhD

Titles: Clinical Supervisor
Email:
Phone Numbers:
School: 714-619-6480

Douglas Hutchinson, M.S.

Titles: Director of Counseling Center
Email:
Phone Numbers:
School: 714-619-6481

Location and Hours

Counseling services are available to all Vanguard University students currently enrolled in Undergraduate, Graduate or Professional Studies Programs.
 
Hours of Operation:

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Counseling Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 8:00 pm
Saturdays appointments may be available. Hours subject to changed based on availability of Therapists.
 

Location:

The Counseling Center is located on the 1st floor in Smith Hall.

Contact Us

Phone:
(714) 662-5256

Email:
counselingcenter@vanguard.edu

Appointments may be requested online by logging into the student portal, in person or by calling our office.

In emergency situations,
call 911.

In case of an emergency, please call 911 or any of the following hotlines:

Alcoholics Anonymous:
(714) 556-4555

California Youth Crisis:
(800) 843-5200

Child Abuse Hotline:
(714) 938-0505

Domestic Violence Hotline:
(800) 978-3600

National Drug/Alcohol Info:
(800) 622-2255

Newhope 24-Hour Hotline (Counseling crisis):
(714) 639-4673

S.O.S. Free Clinic (Medical):
(949) 650-0640