SBCC School of Extended Learning Offers Free Mental Health Services

The new program aims to help noncredit students with a variety of issues and support their academic, career, and personal goals.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Santa Barbara City College's (SBCC) School of Extended Learning (SEL) will now offer free one-on-one mental health counseling to students for the first time ever. The new services will be available at the Schott and Wake campuses, providing students with support for coping/stress management, emotional issues, and general life management.

Why it matters

This new mental health counseling program is an important addition to support the needs of SBCC's noncredit students, who may face unique challenges in achieving their educational and personal goals. Providing these free services on campus can help remove barriers and improve student success.

The details

Starting this week, SEL will offer mental health counseling and connections/referrals to resources on both the Schott and Wake campuses. Students can access these services by visiting the office adjacent to the Welcome Center on each campus. The counseling will assist students with a wide variety of issues and help identify roadblocks toward academic, career, relationship, and personal success.

  • The new mental health counseling services will begin this week at SBCC.

The players

Monica Campbell

Director of SBCC's School of Extended Learning.

Lacey Peters

SBCC Mental Health Counselor, LMFT.

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What they’re saying

“The mental health counseling will help SEL students enrich and enhance their personal lives and personal growth, which will then advance them in achieving their educational goals.”

— Monica Campbell, Director of SBCC's School of Extended Learning (independent.com)

“The SBCC Mental Health Counseling Department is excited to collaborate with the School of Extended Learning to provide much needed mental health services to our noncredit students.”

— Lacey Peters, SBCC Mental Health Counselor, LMFT (independent.com)

The takeaway

This new mental health counseling program at SBCC's School of Extended Learning is an important step in supporting the holistic needs of noncredit students and helping them achieve their academic, career, and personal goals.