CalArts provides students with counseling services at no cost throughout the school year.
Our counselors have experience and skills ideally suited for CalArts students. See counselors below:
- Melissa Shepherd-Williams, LMFT
- Susan B. Perry, MA, LMFT
- Lily Rodriguez, LMFT
Registered students are allowed 12 individual counseling sessions per school year. This format is meant for short term needs. If you seek long term on-going therapy, please contact your Member Benefits on the back of your insurance card. If you have the CalArts Student Health Insurance Plan through United Health Care, please email healthinsurance@calarts.edu for assistance navigating your health insurance and benefits.
The counseling staff can also provide workshops and information on a wide variety of issues, and are available to help coordinate student self-help groups. In addition, they can make referrals to outside professionals and agencies when appropriate, such as when longer-term therapy is indicated.
Therapy sessions for Fall 2023 will be provided in person or by tele-health format, based on your preference. This can be through Zoom Health or by telephone.
To schedule an appointment, students will need to fill out this form. A therapist will get back to you as soon as possible to coordinate an appointment.
Student Appointment Form
There are two 30-minute drop in sessions available M-F between 12-1 pm. Due to safety concerns and protocols, students can access these sessions by calling 661-388-5306. These are one time sessions for evaluation purposes only, or emergency crisis intervention, and not to be utilized or repeated in place of regularly scheduled appointments.
CalArts also has a 24/7 crisis counseling line dedicated to CalArts students only. This is free and can be called from anywhere in the U.S. at 855-364-7981.