Student Psychological Services

Contact Us

If you have reached us outside of business hours, your call will be routed to our after-hours call center, available 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays. You can choose to leave a non-urgent message or be connected to a counselor for immediate crisis support.

Services

Individual Counseling

Short-term individual counseling involves one-on-one meetings with a counselor, with each session lasting approximately 45 minutes. During the counseling process, you and your therapist will collaborate to establish and work towards specific counseling goals.

While there are no strict guidelines on what to discuss during sessions, most therapists agree that active participation can enhance the benefits of the experience. The psychological staff at CSUDH believes it is essential for you to feel comfortable and safe in counseling. You are in control of what, when, and how much you choose to share.

If you are interested in counseling services, please call our office at (310) 243-3818 for more information.

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 2:30 PM to 3:30 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 4:30 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.

Therapeutic Workshops

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

All workshop series come with a student workbook that allows you to engage with 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 for information on how to sign up. You will be directed to fill out the Group Therapy Forms on our Toro Health Patient Portal. 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 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM, Tuesdays from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM, or Wednesdays from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

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, the group meets in-person from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM on the following dates: November 5, 12, and 19, 2024.

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

Psychiatric Services

Psychiatric services are available to eligible students. These services aim to support students in managing mental health concerns through comprehensive evaluations and tailored treatment plans.

Referrals to our staff psychiatrist are facilitated by a counselor from Student Psychological Services. This collaborative approach ensures that each student receives the most appropriate care based on their individual needs and circumstances.

If you are interested in scheduling a psychiatric appointment, please contact our office at (310) 243-3818 for more information. Our staff will guide you through the referral process and help you understand what to expect during your appointment. We are committed to providing you with the support and resources necessary to enhance your mental well-being while you pursue your academic goals.

Faculty & Staff Consultations

Faculty and staff are encouraged to contact us for individual mental health consultations. Some reasons for seeking consultations with Student Psychological Services (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—such as telephone and video conferencing—to deliver psychological counseling virtually. At Student Psychological Services, we use HIPAA-compliant Zoom, which provides the highest level of security to protect your confidential information.

How to Make the Most of Your Zoom Sessions:

Ensure the lighting in your environment is adequate for your therapist to see you clearly.
Be mindful of audio quality and any background noise that may affect your therapist's ability to hear you.
Choose a comfortable, safe, and private space for your session.
If the connection is poor, your therapist may need to call you instead.