Health & Counseling Services

The Health Services office is located on the 2nd floor of the Kent Campus Building near Student Development. A private entrance is at the end of the hallway and is shared with Counseling Services. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Students can schedule an appointment by emailing healthservices@simpson.edu or calling 515-961-1604. Services are free, and Health Services does not bill insurance. If this is a more urgent matter, please notify your Community Advisor (CA) and call Campus Security at 515-961-1711. If this is a medical emergency, please call 911.
 

Free and discounted products and services available to students

Services offered:

• Emergency first aid services
• Assessment of illness and injury
• Referral and appointment assistance to appropriate health care providers (specialists, dentists, immunizations, etc. at the student’s expense)
• Over-the-counter medications and basic medical supplies at no charge. Includes acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, cold symptom relief, throat lozenges, cough drops, antibiotic ointment, bandages, disposable thermometers, etc.
• Some prescription medications may be ordered at HS and picked up at the local pharmacy
• Medical equipment at no charge: crutches, slings, ace wraps, ice packs, etc.
• Free testing: Strep, Urine, Blood Glucose, Pregnancy, COVID-19, influenza, and STI testing
• Emergency Contraception
• Ongoing birth control shots such as Depo
• Health education materials and resources
• Wellness programming and events throughout the year
• No allergy shots are given at Health Services.  Please see the list of local providers for such services.

Transportation
Transportation options for students in Indianola and surrounding area can be found here. 

Health Care Providers
Indianola and Des Moines have excellent medical care options.

Simpson College's Office of Counseling Services is available to students Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To schedule an appointment, email counseling.services@simpson.edu or call 515-961-1332.

If you would like to speak with a counselor and have not booked an appointment, you may come in during walk-in hours. First come, first serve. 

Things to know about counseling provided by Simpson College Counseling Services:

• We are continuing with any current clients who wish/are able to do so and WILL BE TAKING NEW CLIENTS throughout the rest of the academic year.
• If you would like, we are also happy to assist with referrals to services in your home community.
• Sessions remain confidential.
• Initial sessions will still be 30-45 minutes, regular sessions will be 45-50 minutes.
• If you would like to schedule a session, we will send you links to paperwork for you to complete prior to your session or when you arrive early for your session.

Jenny Vargas, LISW CADC
Director of Counseling Services
Kent Campus Center, 2nd Floor
515-961-1556, jenny.vargas@simpson.edu

Office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday.

To schedule an appointment: counseling.services@simpson.edu, 515-961-1332

Counseling Services is here to help you resolve personal concerns that may interfere with your academic progress, social development and satisfaction at Simpson. Free individual, group and couples counseling for all Simpson students is available as well as prevention and consultation services for the college community.

Free counseling available to students dealing with:

• Difficulty with friends, roommates, or family members
• Depression and anxiety
• Sexual identity
• Lack of motivation or difficulty relaxing, concentrating or studying
• Eating disorders
• Substance abuse
• Sexual assault and sexual abuse recovery
• Uncertainties about personal values and beliefs
• Other issues impacting a student's life and academic performance

Emergencies
If an emergency occurs during business hours, please contact Counseling Services in person or by phone and ask to speak to a counselor immediately. Please note that email is not constantly monitored during business hours. If after hours, contact Campus Security at (515) 961-1711 or the police at 911.

Additional resources include:
Iowa Lutheran Hospital: 515-263-5120
Mercy Medical Center: 515-247-3121
Crisis Observation Center: 515-564-5742
National Suicide Hotline: 800-273-8255
Statewide Crisis Line: 800-332-4224

Whether you are new to counseling or have had counseling experience before, you may have questions about what to expect from counseling at Simpson. Take a look at some frequently asked questions or contact us directly at counseling.services@simpson.edu