Meet the Staff

Welcome to Student Psychological Services (SPS), where our commitment is to provide quality mental healthcare and create a community of wellness. We have a remarkable and diverse team of mental health professionals and administrative support staff dedicated to serving students. Recognizing that there are many paths to mental wellness, our goal is to offer a variety of services to help you find the approach that works best for you.

We aim to provide effective psychoeducation, community-informed outreach, and quality psychotherapy and psychiatry services. In all our offerings, we strive to cultivate a welcoming, safe, and affirming environment that celebrates diversity and promotes inclusion.

In these challenging times, where it can be difficult to find a sense of normalcy, health, equity, and racial equality, we are here to support you. It is an honor to serve you! Go Toros!

Denna Sanchez, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)
Director, Student Psychological Services
dsanchez@csudh.edu

PhD in Clinical Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University

Clinical Areas of Interest/Specialty: College student mental health, serving marginalized and underrepresented students, People of Color (POC), identity and developing the whole person.

Lupe Herrera, Psy.D. (she/her/hers)
Psychological Counselor, Liaison, Athletics 

Psy. D. in Clinical Psychology from Rosemead School of Psychology

Clinical Areas of Interest/Specialty: Student-athletes, LGBTQIA2+, Latinx, peak performance, multicultural issues, Emotion Focused Therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, grief and loss

Languages Spoken: English, Spanish

Katie Johnson, Ph.D. (she/her/hers)
Licensed Psychologist 

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology 

Clinical Areas of Interest/Specialty: mood disorders, trauma-informed care, interpersonal and family relationships, multicultural counseling, women and gender-related difficulties, identity exploration, body-image and eating disordered behaviors. 

Jerrie Jones, ASW, MSW (she/her/hers)
Psychological Counselor, Liaison, Toro Guardian Scholars 

Master of Public Child Welfare, University of California at Los Angeles 

Clinical Areas of Interest/Specialty: Former Foster Youth 

Theodore Moore, Psy.D. (he/him/his)
Psychological Counselor

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from Adler University

Clinical Areas of Interest/Specialty: anxiety, imposter syndrome, depression, People of Color (POC), multicultural issues, interpersonal and family-of-origin, psychodynamic, culturally sensitive approach, and relational approach.

MJ Buck, LCSW, MT-BC (she/her/hers)
Psychological Counselor, Liaison, Asian & Pacific Cultural Center

Master of Social Work from State University

Clinical Areas of Interest/Specialty: complex trauma, PTSD, Attachment, Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), expressive arts therapies, racial/ethnic identity development.

Jacqueline Olazaba, AMFT, APCC (she/her/ella)
Psychological Counselor

Master of Science, Counseling from California State University Fullerton

Clinical Areas of Interest/Specialty: relationships, trauma, anxiety, depression, stress management, parenting, BIPOC community, LGBTQIA+, first-generation, person-centered therapy, solution-focused approach, cognitive behavioral therapy, attachment styles, mindfulness, and inner-child work.

Languages Spoken: English, Spanish

Norma Quintero, Ph.D., L.C.S.W. (she/her/ella)
Licensed Psychologist & Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute; Master in Social Work from CSULB

Clinical Areas of Interest/Specialty: multicultural and multigenerational issues, traditionally disenfranchised communities (undocumented and mixed status, Black, Latinx, LGBTQI/A2+, Native American, Asian American, etc.)

Languages Spoken: English, Spanish

Khiana Thomas, LPCC (she/her/hers)
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Liaison, University Housing

Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University

Cognitive behavioral therapy, severe emotionally disturbed youth and adolescents, people of color (POC), multicultural counseling, interpersonal relationships, mood disorders, trauma-informed care, interpersonal and family relationships, and self-esteem.

Bruce Sterling Wallace II, Psy.D. (he/him/his)
Licensed Psychologist

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from The George Washington University

Clinical Areas of Interest/Specialty: psychodynamic, somatic (body-centered), relational, and attachment-oriented approaches to individual and group psychotherapy; impact of oppression/trauma on self-esteem and identity development; mental health of populations of the African Diaspora, mental health and Indigenous American populations; mental health and Latinx populations; peak performance; mindfulness, and the treatment of interpersonal issues

Joseph N. Ortego, M.D. (he/him/his)
Psychiatrist

MD in Psychiatry and Neurology from Louisiana State University of Medicine. Board Certified in Psychiatry.

Clinical Areas of Interest/Specialty: general adult psychiatry

Liliana Arevalo Jimenez, LCSW (her/she/ella)
Toro CARE Coordinator

Master of Social Work, Cal State Dominguez Hills

Clinical Areas of Interest/Specialty: I served as a Psychiatric Social Worker II for the Department of Mental Health for 4 years in providing mental health services to CalWORKs recipients in reducing mental health barriers to employment/school and also provided individual therapy to children. I am certified in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and Seeking Safety.

Language Spoken: English, Spanish

Sergio Mancilla, Psy.D. (he/him/his)
Toro CARE Coordinator

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from University of La Verne

Clinical Areas of Interest/Specialty: LGBTQ+ community, first to go to college, cultural identity, grief and loss

Languages Spoken: English, Spanish

Erin Bealmear (she/her/hers)
Mental Health Educator

Master of Sciences in Marital & Family Therapy at CSUDH (In Progress)

Clinical Areas of Interest/Specialty: Women’s issues, trauma, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, personality disorders, and art therapy.

Rochelle Edwards (she/her/hers)
Administrative Support Coordinator