Services Offered

CONFIDENTIALITY

You can be assured that everything you tell your therapist will be completely private and confidential, and will not be revealed or released to anyone outside of the counseling office (on-or-off-campus) without your written consent, unless it is necessary to prevent injury to yourself or others, or as otherwise required by law. We encourage you to discuss any concerns you have about confidentiality or privacy in your first visit with your therapist. All psychological counselors at CSUDH take their ethical and legal obligation to maintain confidentiality very seriously.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU VISIT US

Learn about our services
Schedule an assessment appointment
Determine what service will best meet your needs

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT US TO DO

Respect your privacy
Respect your unique identities and experiences.
Invite you to co-create your treatment plan
Ask your feedback on your experience with your provider

Individual Counseling

Short-term individual counseling consists of meeting one-on-one with a counselor. Each session lasting approximately 45 minutes. During the counseling process, you and your therapist will work together to establish and work towards counseling goals.

While there are no specific criteria for what or how to talk about your issues in session, most therapists would probably agree that the more you participate, the more you can expect to gain from the experience. All of the psychological staff at CSUDH believe that it is important for you to feel comfortable and safe in counseling, and want you to be the judge of how much you will share, about what, when, and with whom.

If you are interested in counseling services, please call Student Psychological Services for more information, or visit our Scheduling An Appointment page. You will be directed to fill out the forms for Individual Therapy on our forms page here

Support Groups

Group counseling is a highly effective form of psychotherapy that involves meeting with a group of individuals facing similar concerns. These sessions provide a supportive environment where participants can share their experiences and listen to others.

Some groups require a weekly commitment, while others are open for students to join as needed. Certain groups may also have pre-screenings to ensure a good fit for both you and the group.

If you’re interested in participating, please call our office for more information on how to sign up. Consent forms must be acknowledged in the Toro Health Patient Portal to join the services. Since groups are limited in size, we encourage you to reach out as soon as possible. Please note that group offerings may vary from semester to semester based on student needs.

Below is the schedule for Support Groups:

THE LOVE LAB

To foster healthy relationships, it’s essential to cultivate our capacity to love. Join this weekly group to explore love in all its forms, recognize barriers to openness, identify your values, understand attachment styles, and develop the skills necessary for nurturing connections.

Facilitated by Dr. Bruce Wallace and Dr. Norma Quintero, the group meets in person weekly on Tuesdays from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM starting September 17, 2024.

HOME

The group is designed to support students affected by immigration laws, processes, political climate, and/or status. The impact may directly affect you, your family members, and/or your friends. This will be a confidential and safe space to discuss your concerns, learn self-care methods, and access resources to foster an empowered community of support.

Facilitated by Dr. Norma Quintero, the group meets both in-person (LSU Room 111) and via Zoom from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, on the following dates: September 10, October 1 & 22, November 12, and December 3, 2024.

GRIEF & LOSS

This group provides a safe space for exploring grief, sharing stories, and healing through mutual support. It is open to students who have experienced the death of a loved one.

Facilitated by Dr. Sergio Mancilla, the group meets in person from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM on the following dates: September 17, October 15, November 19, and December 3, 2024.

inQUEERies

Join us for a weekly dialogue focused on LGBTQ+ student and community issues. This space encourages open conversation, allowing participants to explore a wide range of topics, including identity, activism, mental health, relationships, and the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals.

Each session aims to foster understanding, support, and connection among participants, providing an opportunity to share experiences, ask questions, and discuss current events impacting the LGBTQ+ community. Whether you’re a student looking for a supportive environment or an ally seeking to learn more, everyone is welcome to contribute to these important conversations.

Come share your voice, gain insights, and help build a more inclusive community.

Facilitated by Dr. Sergio Mancilla, the group meets in person weekly on Tuesdays from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Spirit Rhythm

Join us for a healing drum circle designed to promote wellness, foster community, and enhance connection among participants. This vibrant gathering provides a unique space where individuals can come together to express themselves through rhythm and sound.

Participating in a drum circle can significantly lower stress and anxiety, offering an opportunity to release tension and cultivate a sense of peace. The rhythmic drumming can help synchronize energy within the group, creating a shared experience that encourages mindfulness and emotional healing.

Whether you are an experienced drummer or a complete beginner, this circle is open to everyone. No musical background is necessary—just a willingness to connect with others and explore the therapeutic power of music.

Come be part of this enriching experience, where you can build relationships, find support, and embark on a journey toward greater well-being.

Facilitated by Mj Nguyen, LCSW, the group meets in person from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM on the following dates: October 1 & 31 and November 5 & 19, 2024.

ADHD Workshop

This workshop is specifically designed for students who have been diagnosed with ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder). It provides a supportive environment where participants can explore strategies tailored to their unique experiences and challenges related to ADHD.

During the workshop, students will engage in discussions about coping mechanisms, time management techniques, and organizational skills that can enhance their academic performance and daily life. The sessions may also include interactive activities that encourage peer support and the sharing of personal experiences.

Led by an experienced facilitator, the workshop aims to empower participants by equipping them with practical tools and resources to navigate their educational journey effectively. Whether you’re looking to connect with others who share similar challenges or seeking new strategies to manage your ADHD, this workshop offers valuable insights and a sense of community. Join us to learn, share, and grow in a supportive space tailored to your needs.

Facilitated by Dr. Katie Johnson, the group meets in person from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM on the following dates: November 5, 12, and 19, 2024.

Therapeutic Workshops

We offer three different therapeutic workshops: Anxiety Toolbox, RIO and Coping with Depression. Each workshop is a 3-week psychoeducational workshop series designed to help you learn useful tools for addressing common presenting concerns (e.g., anxiety, stress, depression). It is important that the the workshops are attended in order.

All workshop series come with a student workbook that will allow you to engage in the materials in the sessions and practice your new skills between sessions.

If you are interested in participating in a workshop, please call Student Psychological Services at 310.243.3818 to get information about how to sign-up. You will be directed to fill out the Group Therapy Forms on our torohealth.csudh.edu. Workshops are limited in size, so reach out as soon as possible.

Below is the Therapeutic Workshops Schedule:

ANXIETY TOOLBOX

Anxiety Toolbox is a fast-paced three-session workshop intended to help you increase your understanding and knowledge about anxiety. The goal is to provide you with some skills to recognize and manage anxiety symptoms you may be experiencing. Anxiety Toolbox is a curriculum-driven workshop series with structure and specific learning objectives, with each workshop building on material from the preceding one(s).

Facilitated by Dr. Katie Johnson. This workshop is cancelled for the remaining of the semester.

NOTE: To participate in Anxiety Toolbox, you must be referred by a Student Psychological Services counselor.

RIO

RIO (Recognition, Insight, and Openness) is a 3-week workshop. The main goals of RIO are to learn useful tools to recognize your concerns and to develop a clearer idea of what you want to change in your life. RIO is a great place to start your counseling journey and is typically recommended prior to beginning individual counseling.

Facilitated by Dr. Sergio Mancilla, Dr. Theodore Moore, and Jacqueline Olazaba, AMFT, APCC. Offered in-person on Mondays from 3:30pm-4:30pm, Tuesdays from 1:30pm-2:30pm, or Wednesdays from 10:00am-11:00am.

NOTE: To participate in RIO, you must be referred by a Student Psychological Services counselor.

ADHD WORKSHOP

Increase your understanding and knowledge about Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and learn ways to improve executive skill such as: organization, sustained attention, task initiation, time management, emotional control and working memory.

Facilitated by Dr. Katie Johnson. Offered in-person on Wednesdays from 11:00am-12:00pm.

NOTE: To participate in the ADHD Workshop, you must be diagnosed with ADHD and be referred by a Student Psychological Services counselor.

Faculty & Staff Consultations

Faculty and staff are encouraged to contact us for individual mental health consultations. Some reasons for consultations with SPS might include:

Discussing a student in distress
Discussing disruptive behavior in the classroom
Seeking support around improving mental health in the work environment
Obtaining general mental health information or supportive resources

For more information, please contact:

Denna Sanchez, Ph.D.
Director, Student Psychological Services
dsanchez@csudh.edu
310.243.3818

Telehealth Services

Telehealth is the practice of using technology (telephone and/or video conferencing) to virtually deliver psychological counseling. At Student Psychological Services, we utilize a HIPAA-compliant Zoom which provides the highest level of security available to protect your confidential information.

How to make the most of your Zoom sessions:

Make sure the lighting in your environment is adequate for your therapist to see you
Be mindful of audio quality and possible noises in your environment that may impact your therapist’s ability to hear you
Make sure you are in a comfortable, safe, and private space
If the connection is poor, your therapist may have to call you instead