Most Frequently Asked Questions

What is mental illness?
Everyone experiences emotional problems sometime in life. You feel sad, angry, alone, or frustrated. Oftentimes, you may feel better by expressing these feeling with someone you feel close to. However, when the problem persists for a period of time, you are unable to function at home, school, or work, you must seek professional help. You may have or have developed something more than just an emotional problem. You can be suffering from mental illness.  Being mentally ill seems to carry a heavy burden of social stigma, embarrassment, and fear that are difficult to overcome. However, today's improved medication, diagnostic and therapeutic techniques and strong support system, a great number of mentally ill persons and their family live productive lives just like everyone else.

If you or someone you know may be suffering from mental illness, please call Asian Pacific Counseling and Treatment Centers at (213) 252-252-2100. Our professional staff can help you and your family.

I don't speak English. Can I still get service?
APCTC staff consists of over eighty bilingual staff members who can provide assistance in your language. The languages spoken at the centers are Cambodian, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin and Taiwanese), French, Italian, Filipino (Cebuano, Ilocano, and Tagalog), Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Spanish, Thai, and Vietnamese.

Is my record shared with someone outside of the Clinic?
All information obtained from clients are strictly confidential unless clients give an authorization to release information.  However, we are obliged to disclose information by law in certain circumstances. The limits of confidentiality are indicated and need to be carefully evaluated in situations where there is a reasonable suspicion of child, elderly, dependent adult, or spousal abuse; where there is a reasonable suspicion that the client presents a danger of violence to others or where the client is likely to harm her or himself unless protective measures are taken.


What is the fee? How can I pay for service?
We accept Medicare, Medi-CAL, and/or authorized private insurance for our service.  Although there are fees applied to some of our programs, no one will be denied for our service because of inability to pay.  The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health subsidizes service fee for those without medical insurance. Clients will be asked to make a co-payment that is determined based on her/his income level. A proof of income such as W-4 form or a bank statement must be presented at the initial appointment.

Where can I get my medication?
You can obtain your medication from the County contracted pharmacies. At the initial appointment with your doctor, you will be given a medication card which you need to present to your pharmacist every time you pick up medication. There are more than one hundred County-contract pharmacies in Los Angeles County. Our staff will help you select one nearest to you.
For any other questions and concerns, please call (213) 252-2100.