Frequently Asked Questions
About South Coast Community Services
What sets South Coast Community Services apart?
At South Coast, we take a client-centered approach, tailoring services to meet the unique needs of each person. We provide compassionate, comprehensive, trauma-informed care. Our collaborative team is dedicated to empowering clients to lead healthier, happier lives
How does South Coast support families in treatment?
We take a family-centered approach, offering programs that involve parents and caregivers in the treatment process. This includes family therapy, education on mental health challenges, and our wraparound programs.
What can I expect during my first visit to South Coast?
During your first visit, you’ll meet with a member of our team for an initial assessment. This allows us to better understand your needs and determine the most effective treatment plan. From the very first step, we prioritize creating a welcoming and supportive environment for you and your family.
Mental Health Services
Do you serve adults?
Yes. We serve individuals ages 0–100.
What do you treat?
We treat ADHD, Anger, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Psychosis, Eating Disorders, Grief, OCD, PTSD, Self-Harm, and Suicidal Ideation.
Outpatient Therapy
How do I know if outpatient therapy is right for me or my child?
Outpatient therapy may be a good fit if emotional, behavioral, or relationship challenges are affecting daily life but do not require intensive or residential care. A clinician can help assess needs and recommend the appropriate level of support.
How often are outpatient therapy sessions typically scheduled?
Sessions are commonly scheduled once a week, though frequency may vary based on clinical needs, goals, and progress over time.
How long does outpatient therapy usually last?
The length of therapy varies. Some individuals benefit from short-term support, while others may continue longer depending on goals, progress, and the nature of concerns being addressed.
Can outpatient therapy be combined with medication support or other services?
Yes. Outpatient therapy can be coordinated with medication support, care management, school-based services, or other programs when appropriate.
Do you offer in-person and telehealth outpatient therapy?
Yes. SCCS offers both in-person and telehealth outpatient therapy, depending on location, provider availability, and client preference.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy
What is EMDR therapy and how does it work?
EMDR is a structured therapy that helps the brain reprocess distressing memories using bilateral stimulation, such as guided eye movements. This process reduces the emotional intensity of memories while supporting more adaptive beliefs and responses over time.
Who is EMDR for?
EMDR may be appropriate for children, teens, and adults whose current symptoms are connected to past experiences. Our clinicians assess readiness and stability before beginning trauma processing.
Does EMDR work for anxiety?
Yes—especially when anxiety is connected to past experiences. EMDR helps process the underlying memories or situations that may be contributing to ongoing anxiety, panic, or feeling on edge. Many people find that as those experiences are processed, their overall anxiety becomes more manageable and less reactive.
What should I expect after an EMDR session?
After a session, it’s normal to feel a bit tired or notice emotions, thoughts, or memories continuing to surface. This is part of your brain continuing to process. These effects are usually temporary and tend to settle between sessions. Your therapist will help you leave each session feeling grounded and prepared.
How do I prepare for EMDR?
You don’t need to prepare anything specific in advance. Early sessions focus on getting to know you, understanding your experiences, and building tools to help you feel comfortable and supported. Your therapist will guide the process and make sure you feel ready before beginning EMDR.
How do I know if I’m ready for EMDR therapy?
Readiness for EMDR is determined collaboratively with your therapist. Before trauma processing begins, clinicians focus on safety, stability, and coping skills to ensure EMDR is appropriate and supportive for you at that time.
Do I have to talk in detail about my trauma during EMDR?
No. EMDR does not require sharing detailed descriptions of traumatic experiences. The focus is on how memories are processed internally, rather than retelling events out loud.
What happens if strong emotions come up between EMDR sessions?
Your therapist will help you develop grounding and regulation strategies to use between sessions. Ongoing check-ins ensure support if difficult emotions arise outside of therapy.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
What is TF-CBT?
TF-CBT is a structured, trauma-specific therapy that combines coping skills, gradual trauma processing, and caregiver involvement to help reduce trauma-related symptoms and support emotional regulation.
Who is TF-CBT for?
TF-CBT can work for all individuals, and is particularly effective for children and teens who have experienced trauma, with active involvement from caregivers to support healing and stability.
Can TF-CBT be used with adults?
Yes. While TF-CBT is most commonly used with children and teens, many of the same principles can be adapted for adults. It can be especially helpful for processing trauma, building coping skills, and addressing unhelpful thought patterns connected to past experiences.
How many sessions does TF-CBT take?
TF-CBT is typically a short-term, structured therapy that often lasts around 12–20 sessions. The exact length can vary depending on individual needs, the nature of the trauma, and how quickly skills and processing progress.
How often are TF-CBT sessions conducted?
TF-CBT sessions are usually held once per week. Regular, consistent sessions help build momentum, reinforce skills, and support steady progress over time.
How long does TF-CBT typically last?
TF-CBT is generally time-limited, often lasting several months, though length may vary based on individual needs, goals, and progress.
What role do caregivers or parents play in TF-CBT?
Caregivers are often actively involved and learn skills to support the child’s healing, improve communication, and reinforce coping strategies at home.
Polyvagal-Informed Therapy
What is Polyvagal-informed therapy?
Polyvagal-informed therapy is an approach grounded in understanding the nervous system’s response to safety and threat. It helps clients build awareness of bodily cues and develop regulation strategies that support emotional stability and connection.
Who is polyvagal-informed therapy for?
Polyvagal-informed approaches may be helpful for children, teens, and adults whose emotional experiences are closely connected to physiological responses to stress.
How is Polyvagal-informed therapy different from talk therapy?
Polyvagal-informed therapy places greater emphasis on bodily sensations and nervous system responses, helping clients understand how physiological states influence emotions, behaviors, and connection.
Can Polyvagal-informed approaches be used alongside other therapies?
Yes. Polyvagal-informed approaches are commonly integrated with other evidence-based therapies to support regulation and emotional safety.
Is Polyvagal-informed therapy helpful if I don’t feel “traumatized”?
Yes. It can be helpful for individuals experiencing stress, emotional reactivity, or difficulty regulating emotions, even without a specific trauma history.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
What is DBT therapy?
DBT is a skills-based therapy that combines mindfulness with practical strategies to help individuals balance acceptance and change, manage intense emotions, and respond more effectively to stress and relationships.
Who is DBT for?
DBT may be helpful for teens and adults who experience intense emotions, difficulty regulating emotions, or relationship challenges. A clinician will help determine whether DBT skills are an appropriate part of treatment based on individual needs and goals.
Is DBT only for people in crisis or with severe symptoms?
No. While DBT can support individuals in crisis, it is also helpful for people who want to improve emotional regulation, coping skills, and relationships.
Is DBT helpful for depression?
Yes. DBT can be helpful for depression, especially when it’s connected to intense emotions, negative thought patterns, or difficulty coping with stress. It provides practical tools to manage emotions, build motivation, and create more stability day-to-day.
How long does DBT therapy take?
The length of DBT can vary depending on individual needs. Many people participate in DBT for several months to a year, though some may benefit from a shorter or longer duration depending on their goals and progress.
What are DBT skills, and how are they used?
DBT skills are practical tools you can use in everyday situations—especially when emotions feel overwhelming. In therapy, you’ll learn how to apply these skills in real-life moments, helping you respond more effectively instead of reacting automatically.
Can DBT be part of individual therapy, or does it require a group?
DBT skills can be incorporated into individual therapy. Some clients may also participate in skills groups, depending on treatment needs and availability.
Enhanced Care Management (ECM)
What is Enhanced Care Management (ECM)?
ECM provides whole-person care coordination for individuals with complex needs. ECM can be delivered anywhere SCCS provides services, including in homes, schools, community settings, via telehealth, or in the Wellness Center.
How is ECM different from case management or therapy?
ECM focuses on coordinating care across systems rather than providing therapy. It supports connection between medical, behavioral health, and community services through a single care manager.
How long can someone receive ECM support?
The length of ECM services varies based on individual needs and eligibility, and support may continue as long as coordination and engagement remain beneficial.
Can ECM support families as well as individuals?
Yes. ECM often involves working with both individuals and their families to support care coordination, communication, and follow-through.
Medication Support Services (MSS)
Do I need to be in therapy to receive medication support?
Medication support is most effective when coordinated with therapy, but services are tailored to individual needs. Our prescribers work closely with the care team to determine the appropriate level of support.
Who provides medication support at SCCS?
Medication Support Services are provided by qualified psychiatric prescribers who collaborate with therapists, care coordinators, and other team members.
How often are medications reviewed or adjusted?
Medication plans are reviewed regularly to monitor effectiveness, side effects, and changes in symptoms. Adjustments are made as needed, in collaboration with the individual and care team.
CSC-FEP (Early Psychosis Services)
What is considered “early” or “first episode” psychosis?
Early psychosis refers to the initial onset of symptoms such as changes in thinking, perception, or behavior. Early intervention during this phase can significantly improve long-term outcomes.
Do families participate in early psychosis services?
Yes. Family education and involvement are a core part of CSC-FEP services, helping families understand symptoms and support recovery.
How is CSC-FEP different from general therapy?
CSC-FEP is a coordinated, team-based program that combines therapy, medication support, family education, and assistance with school or work functioning.
Crisis Support
What should I do in a crisis?
If you require immediate crisis support, please call 911.
What qualifies as a behavioral health crisis?
A crisis may include intense emotional distress, safety concerns, or behaviors that feel unmanageable without immediate support.
What happens after a crisis is stabilized?
After immediate concerns are addressed, the focus shifts to safety planning and connecting the individual to ongoing support or follow-up care.
Post-Adoption Support (also known as Adoption Wrap)
Do you support pre-adoptive families?
SCCS Post-Adoption services (also known as Adoption Wrap) focus on Post-Adoption families.
Can families self-refer for Post-Adoption services (also known as Adoption Wrap)?
Yes. Families can contact us directly at (877) 793-7591 or complete the Get Help form on our website. A team member will follow up.
Who can access Post-Adoption Support services (also known as Adoption Wrap)?
Post-Adoption services (also known as Adoption Wrap) are available to adoptive children, teens, and families seeking support related to attachment, identity, trauma, or behavioral challenges.
Do families need a referral to receive Post-Adoption Support (also known as Adoption Wrap)?
Families may contact SCCS directly to inquire about Post-Adoption services (also known as Adoption Wrap). Our team can help guide families through eligibility and next steps.
What types of support are included in Post-Adoption services (also known as Adoption Wrap)?
Services may include adoption-competent therapy, caregiver support, case management, and Adoption Wraparound when appropriate.
Insurance & Payment
What insurance do you accept?
SCCS accepts Medi-Cal, Kaiser, Evernorth/Cigna, Magellan, Health Net, and Aetna.
What if my insurance isn’t accepted?
If your insurance is not accepted, we offer flexible payment options and can discuss potential alternatives to help you access care.
Will my and my family’s confidentiality be protected?
Absolutely. Your privacy is our top priority. We follow all HIPAA guidelines to ensure that your personal information is secure and confidential.
How much does South Coast cost?
The cost of services varies depending on your insurance coverage. We work with your insurance provider to ensure you receive the benefits available to you. If you have any questions, our billing team is happy to assist you.
School Services
How can a school or district partner with SCCS?
District leadership can contact SCCS directly at (877) 312-3758 or submit a contact form to discuss Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 school-based services.
How does SCCS partner with school districts and SELPAs?
SCCS works collaboratively with districts, SELPAs, and school sites to align services with existing frameworks, policies, and student support systems. Services are designed to integrate with MTSS, IEPs, and other district-led initiatives.
What role does SCCS staff play on campus?
SCCS staff provide mental health services within agreed-upon scopes, collaborate with designated school personnel, and participate in meetings such as SSTs or IEPs when appropriate. Our role is to supplement—not replace—school-based staff.
What services does SCCS provide in schools?
SCCS provides school-based mental health services across Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 levels, including staff training, classroom and SEL support, small group and individual counseling, and intensive therapy with care coordination.
At the Tier 3 level, services extend beyond the school setting through a wraparound approach that supports students and families across home, school, and community.
What is Family Wrap?
Family Wrap is SCCS’s intensive, team-based Tier 3 service that provides coordinated mental health support for students with the highest levels of need. Services extend beyond the school setting to align care across home, school, and community environments.
Who is eligible for Family Wrap services?
Family Wrap is typically provided to students with intensive mental health or behavioral needs who require coordinated, multi-setting support. Services are delivered under IEP-affirmed authorizations in partnership with school districts and may involve collaboration with caregivers and community providers.
How does SCCS support neurodiverse students, including those with autism?
SCCS provides mental health and emotional support for neurodiverse students, including those with autism, alongside existing behavioral services such as ABA or RBT support. Services focus on emotional regulation, coping skills, social development, and coordination across school, home, and clinical providers.
High-Fidelity Wraparound
What is High Fidelity Wraparound?
High Fidelity Wraparound is an intensive, team-based model designed for youth with complex mental health and behavioral needs. These services are designed to address mental health, behavioral, educational, and social needs, bringing together a team of professionals to support the individual and their family in a coordinated, personalized way.
Who is eligible for High Fidelity Wraparound?
High Fidelity Wraparound services are typically available to children and families facing complex challenges, such as mental health conditions, behavioral problems, or involvement with the child welfare or juvenile justice systems. Eligibility is determined through county agencies based on clinical need.
How do families access High Fidelity Wraparound services?
Services are accessed through referrals from Child and Family Services (CFS) or the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH). Families are connected to the program through these systems when this level of support is identified as appropriate.
What services are included in High Fidelity Wraparound?
Services may include individual and family therapy, care coordination, crisis support, Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings, and connection to community-based resources. Support is tailored to each family’s needs and goals.
How long does High Fidelity Wraparound last?
The length of services varies based on individual needs, but programs are typically time-limited and focused on building stability, skills, and long-term support systems.
Post-Psychiatric Hospital Support
What is post-psychiatric hospital support?
Support provided after discharge to help individuals transition safely back to home and community with continued care and resources.
Who is this service for?
For individuals recently discharged from a psychiatric hospital who need ongoing support to maintain stability and reduce the risk of readmission.
What services are included?
Services may include discharge planning, therapy, medication support, and connections to resources such as housing, transportation, and basic needs.
How soon can support begin?
Services are typically initiated as soon as possible after discharge to ensure continuity of care.
Suicide Prevention Services
Who are suicide prevention services for?
For individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, those at risk, and families or caregivers seeking support or guidance.
What should I do if someone may be at risk?
If there is immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Otherwise, contact South Coast to speak with a clinician.
What types of support are available?
Support may include risk assessment, safety planning, therapy, and coordination with families, schools, or other providers.
Is this only for people in crisis?
No. Services also focus on early intervention to identify risk and provide support before a crisis occurs.