COMMUNITY-BASED
COUNSELING
In addition to school-based counseling, quality community-based counseling services and case management services are also provided by PVPSA. We serve community members of all ages - children, youth, and families. PVPSA’s counseling programs help keep students and families healthy and strong. If your child or family needs any of the below counseling services, call us at 831-728-6445, Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm, or fill out our online referral form on the bottom of our Programs page, via this link.
We help people experiencing:
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Anxiety and depression
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Family conflicts
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Drug and alcohol abuse
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Grief and loss transitions
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ANYPAYER COUNSELING
Mental health services for students regardless of health insurance type or insurance access. Services will be guided by an assessment and treatment plan. Services are available in person and through telehealth. Referrals can be made online by clicking here.
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MIGRANT HEAD START SUPPORTS
PVPSA is the dedicated mental health support agency for the Seasonal Migrant Head Start Program. Through this program, our team provides migrant head start staff and families with education about the importance of mental health and is available to provide assessment of children and youth for mental health services. For more information contact Erica Padilla-Chavez at epadillachavez@pvpsa.org.
SCHOOL-BASED COUNSELING
In our school-based counseling programs, we serve thousands of Pajaro Valley Unified School students each year. Kid’s Korner and the Secondary Student Assistance Program (SAP) counselors help students with numerous issues including school transitions, grief and loss, peer, family and teacher conflicts, drug and alcohol issues, and anger management. Our counselors help students stay in school and succeed. We offer mental health counseling services in over 20 school sites within the Pajaro Valley Unified School District. Our counseling staff includes licensed therapists and interns on Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) and Clinical Social Work (CSW) tracks, as well as youth development specialists.
HEALTHY PAJARO AND LAS LOMAS COLLABORATIVE / 0-5 YEARS OLD
Counseling services are offered to children, aged 0-5 years, and their families, who reside in Monterey County, including the communities of Pajaro, Royal Oaks, and Las Lomas. This is a partnership program between PVPSA, PVUSD, and First Five Monterey County, in which services include playgroup education for caregivers and children, counseling, and positive discipline education series. Referrals can be made directly to PVPSA through Ohlone, Hall, Pajaro Middle School or Healthy Start contacts, or please contact Sonia Heredia at 831-761-6633 x4169 or sonia_heredia@pvusd.net for more information.
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KID'S KORNER / ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Kid’s Korner is a school-based, short-term counseling program for elementary aged students. PVPSA provides a counselor and a safe, nurturing place for students at nearly all of the PVUSD elementary schools. Interns provide counseling for a variety of issues a student might be having from challenging classroom behavior to loss of a loved one, to family issues at home or bullying at school. Services are provided during school hours and free to the students. All PVUSD elementary school students are eligible. Referrals can be made directly to PVPSA through school personnel, or by community members online by clicking here.
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SECONDARY STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM / MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOLS
Available at some Middle and High schools, PVPSA offers individual counseling and peer support groups for students engaged in at-risk behavior such as substance use, truancy and gang involvement. Short-term family counseling and referrals to community resources are provided. Referrals can be made directly to PVPSA through school personnel, or by community members online by clicking here.
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DRUG & ALCOHOL SERVICES / MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOLS
Our team works with youth who are experiencing life challenges due to substance use and abuse, using individual and group counseling approaches to help students find community, hope and healing as they work through drug and alcohol problems. Our goal is to help students find success by teaching life skills that will assist them in making positive choices and experiencing success in every aspect of their lives. Group and case management services offered to youth who are experimenting or at risk of using alcohol and drug substances. Services are provided at various school sites by trained personnel using evidenced-based approaches that motivate a decision and commitment to change and support success in implementing the desired changes. Referrals can be made directly to PVPSA through school personnel, or by community members online by clicking here.
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CRISIS MOBILE RESPONSE TEAM / ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOLS
A new program to support all PVUSD students in addressing crisis and urgent needs for non-MERT crisis situations. Counselors respond in real-time to facilitate safety plans and develop service plans or referrals as needed. Crisis Counselors can support with parents, teachers, or staff. For crisis requests or more information, please call Crisis Lead Counselor, Zak Bauman at 831-227-9402.
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*Students and families with Medi-Cal (Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties): Quality counseling services are provided to students with Medi-Cal from Santa Cruz and Monterey County. Services are offered by experienced professionals at various school sites including the elementary, middle and high schools. Referrals can be made directly to the agency or through school personnel.
**Students and families without health insurance (Monterey County): Quality counseling services are provided to students and families that reside in Monterey County and are uninsured. Services are offered by experienced professionals at the school sites and in our counseling center. Referrals can be made directly to the agency by calling the counseling center at 831-728-5808 or through school personnel.
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***Sliding Scale Clinic: More information coming soon.
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