Business Details
Affordable Counseling Services in Santa Barbara, CA
Community Counseling & Education Center has been dedicated to providing accessible mental health services to the Santa Barbara community for over 40 years. Founded by Patricia Cooper and Jaclyn Henretig, our mission is to offer low-cost counseling through a structured Clinical Training Program that pairs clients with skilled trainee and associate therapists. Our bilingual team specializes in helping individuals, couples, families, and teens navigate life transitions, relationship challenges, and emotional distress through weekly sessions designed to build trust and consistency.With over 3,000 hours of direct service annually, we prioritize community-driven support, ensuring financial accessibility through donor subsidies that reduce session costs to $35 - $75 based on income. Under the leadership of Executive Director Mariela Marin, we continue to train future therapists while maintaining a commitment to holistic healing and community well-being.
Services
Individual Counseling
Family Therapy
LGBTQ Support Groups
Clinical Training Program
Bilingual Counseling
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of community-focused mental health expertise.
- Our bilingual staff provides culturally responsive care in English and Spanish.
- Subsidized rates ensure therapy is accessible to all income levels.
- 3,000+ annual service hours delivered by rigorously trained therapists.
- Structured 8-week programs build therapeutic consistency and trust.
Services
Individual Counseling
Our individual counseling sessions help clients manage life transitions, emotional distress, and self-defeating coping mechanisms. Therapists provide tools for healthier communication and personal growth through weekly 50-minute appointments. Clients commit to a minimum 8-week program to build therapeutic consistency.
Family Therapy
Family therapy addresses dysfunctional communication patterns and relationship conflicts through structured sessions. Our bilingual therapists work with families to establish healthier boundaries, resolve power struggles, and improve emotional connections in a supportive environment.
LGBTQ Support Groups
The SpeakOut program offers specialized support for LGBTQ teens through group sessions and individual counseling. We provide resources for identity exploration, mental health support, and community building in a safe, affirming space.
Clinical Training Program
Our accredited training program develops future mental health professionals through supervised clinical practice. Trainees receive mentorship from experienced therapists while providing affordable services to the community under strict quality oversight.
Bilingual Counseling
Bilingual counseling services are available for Spanish-speaking clients through trained associate therapists. Sessions focus on cultural sensitivity and language accessibility to ensure effective treatment for diverse community members.
People
Mariela Marin
Executive Director
Mariela Marin leads CCEC with 20+ years of experience in clinical therapy. A graduate of Antioch University, she specializes in process therapy and oversees therapist training while maintaining community outreach initiatives.
Sarah Marin
Director of Operations
Sarah Marin manages CCEC's nonprofit operations, focusing on sustainable business practices that align with community mental health goals. She holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Patricia Cooper
Founder
Patricia Cooper co-founded CCEC 40 years ago to expand mental health access. A licensed therapist, she established the center's community-funded model that continues to provide affordable care today.
Jaclyn Henretig
Co-Founder
Jaclyn Henretig co-founded CCEC with Patricia Cooper, creating a legacy of accessible mental health services. Her vision for community-driven therapy remains central to the center's mission.
Shannon Kennedy
Clinical Staff
Shannon Kennedy provides direct therapy services as part of CCEC's clinical team. She works with clients on emotional regulation and communication skills under the center's supervisory framework.
Questions
What counseling services does CCEC offer?
CCEC provides individual, family, and group therapy for adults, teens, and children through licensed therapists and supervised trainees.
How are therapy rates determined?
Session fees range from $35–$75 based on income, subsidized by community donations to ensure financial accessibility for all clients.
What is the Clinical Training Program?
Our accredited program trains graduate students and associate therapists under experienced supervisors to provide quality care while expanding mental health access.
Are bilingual services available?
Yes, we offer Spanish-English counseling through trained bilingual therapists to support diverse community needs.
How long are therapy sessions?
Each session lasts 50 minutes, with clients committing to weekly appointments for a minimum of 8 weeks to build therapeutic consistency.
What happens during the intake process?
A confidential phone intake assesses your needs and matches you with an appropriate therapist, typically within 6–8 weeks of initial contact.
