Counseling & Mental Health

• Brief mental health counseling for enrolled Scott Community students, 18 years or older.  

• Assistance with locating and accessing community resources. Such as; affordable housing, addressing food insecurity, clothing, hygiene products, childcare, and more. 

• Provide referrals for students who wish to access mental health professionals or other support services within the community.  

• Train and educate students on how to respond and assist someone who may be suicidal, using evidence-based curriculum.  

At our counseling center, we recognize that addressing mental health concerns often involves addressing broader social and economic factors that impact an individual's well-being. Therefore, in addition to providing counseling services, the counselor can also provide resource information and assistance to students to meet their basic needs. This can include; assistance with locating affordable housing, food insecurity, clothing, hygiene products, locating childcare, and more. 

 

Sarah Brennan, a proud Quad City native and SCC alumna, has worked in education and mental health for more than 15 years. She empowers students by helping them identify tools and solutions that lead to success. Brennan is an advocate for equitable access to mental health services and community resources. She provides short term counseling, referrals to mental health services, and can help you secure vital resources like childcare, food, housing, employment, and more.

Brennan’s specialty areas include:

• Stress and anxiety
• Depression
• Grief and loss
• Life transitions
• Substance misuse
• Trauma and PTSD
• Relationship and peer issues
• LGBTQIA+ affirmative

How much are services? 

Counseling services are free for enrolled Scott Community College students, who are 18 years of age or older.  

I already have a therapist; can I still see the counselor on campus? 

If a student already has an established therapist in the community, they are not eligible to receive therapy services from the counselor on campus.  

How do I make an appointment? 

To schedule an appointment, please go to our website and click, “New client.” You can also call us at (563) 441-4128 or e-mail at sjbrennanFREEEICC  

I am having a mental health crisis. Can I be seen today, or do I need an appointment? 

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis on campus during the school day, and the counselor is available, you can access services that day. To do so, please call the counselor at (563) 441-4128, or stop by the counseling office.  

How many sessions can I have? 

Students can see the counselor up to six times per semester.  

What can I expect at my first appointment?  

During the first session, students can expect the counselor to listen, assess your concerns, and develop a plan with you to address your concerns. The counselor will answer any questions you may have about the counseling process. Additionally, the counselor will ask for information about yourself, family background, general health, and other important factors in your life.  

If the counselor feels you would benefit from counseling outside of school, referrals can be made to ensure your concerns are addressed with the appropriate provider. Please see limitations of services for more information.  

Limitations of Service  

The role of Scott Community College Counseling Center office is to provide brief, mental health counseling and related services to help students identify barriers, improve coping, and achieve personal goals. While we would like to accommodate all students, we are limited in doing so, due to our scope of practice. Limitations include, but are not limited to:  Active symptoms of psychosis, Mandated and/or court ordered therapy services, Concerns which require specialized care and/or fall outside the scope of practice. 

What kind of things do people talk about?  

That depends! Some students prefer to talk about academic concerns, while others prefer to talk about personal matters. Common topics that students talk about include; anxiety, depression, relationship issues, boundaries, self-care, substance misuse, grief, family issues, and domestic violence.  

Do you prescribe medication? 

No. However, the counselor can assist students in providing referrals to community agencies who can.  

Can I get help with finding a therapist off campus? 

Yes!  

Will faculty, staff, parents, etc., know that I am going to the counseling center? 

No, your privacy is of the utmost importance. Confidentiality is the foundation to establish a trusting relationship between you and the counselor. However, there are specific limits to confidentiality, which are governed by state and federal laws. These exceptions include:  

It is determined you are an imminent danger to yourself or others.  

There is disclosure that a child or dependent adult is being abused or neglected.  

As subpoena by the court of law.  

How long are sessions? 

Sessions typically last 30-45 minutes, depending on the student's needs.