Mental Health Counseling

Mental Health Counseling offers a wide range of services to enrolled students including:

• Individual counseling
• Couple counseling
• Family counseling
• Group counseling
• Case management
• Community referrals
• Crisis intervention
• Workshops
• Trainings

Visits do not go on your academic record.

Video teletherapy sessions are available to enrolled students (with in-person sessions based on district and public health protocols). To learn more, watch this short video!

If this is a mental health emergency, please call or text 988 or call 911

Request an appointment here. The more availability you provide, the sooner you will be scheduled. Please fill the form completely and do not share any information that is considered confidential. This is not a confidential way to communicate.

Please note counselors are not available to respond nights, weekends, or during school closures. Instead call or text 988.

Crisis Policy

An appointment may be shortened or rescheduled in the event of a presenting crisis or emergency. We appreciate your understanding.

Cancellation/No Show Policy

Please contact Mental Health Counseling at least 24 hours prior to your appointment if you need to cancel so that we may offer that time to another student in need 619-388-3055. Failure to attend two consecutively scheduled appointments may result in a referral to community resources. 

If you or a family member are looking for help with mental health or substance use, Care Solace can help you quickly find treatment options matched to your needs regardless of the circumstance. Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential service provided to students, staff, and their families by San Diego City College. Care Solace’s team is available 24/7/365 and can support you in any language.

If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider:

• Call 888-515-0595 available 24/7/365
• Visit Care Solace and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.

Mental Health Counseling is staffed by Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists, Associate Clinical Social Workers, Associate Marriage & Family Therapists, Associate Professional Clinical Counselors, Graduate Trainees and Interns from Alliant International University (AIU), California State University San Marcos (CSUSM), San Diego State University (SDSU), and University of San Diego (USD).

Leslie CS Easton, LCSW 23099
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Mental Health Coordinator
Pronouns: she/ella
Languages: English, Spanish
Education: M.S., Social Work, San Diego State University

Nadia Sayeh, LMFT 100271
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Active Minds Faculty Advisor
Pronouns: she/ella
Languages: English, Spanish, Arabic
Education: M.A., Marriage & Family Therapy, California School of Professional Psychology

Diana Sabrina Hernandez, APCC 8471
Registered Associate Professisonal Clinical Counselor
First Generation Faculty Advisor
Pronouns: she/ella
Languages: English, Spanish
Education: M.A., Clinical Mental Health Counseling, University of San Diego

Noel Antonio Puga, APCC 8486
Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
Pronouns: he/él
Languages: English, Spanish
Education: M.S., Counseling, San Diego State University

Abigail (Abby) Nel Weisman, LCSW 106101
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Peer Educator Coordinator
Pronouns: she/her
Languages: English
Education: M.S., Social Work, University of Southern California

Alexandra (Alex) Marie Felty, APCC 7273
Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
Pronouns: she/her
Languages: English
Education: M.A., Clinical Mental Health Counseling, University of San Diego

Nicole (Nikki) Devona Gee, APCC 8785
Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
Pronouns: she/her
Languages: English
Education: M.S., Counseling, San Diego State University

Tristan Sotomayor, APCC 10001
Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
Pronouns: he/him
Languages: English
Education: M.A., Clinical Mental Health Counseling, University of San Diego

Julia Parkinson, MFTT
Marriage & Family Therapist Trainee
Pronouns: she/her
Languages: English
Graduate Student: Marriage & Family Therapy, California School of Professional Psychology

Nathan Smith, MFTT
Marriage & Family Therapist Trainee
Pronouns: he/him
Languages: English
Graduate Student: Marriage & Family Therapy, California School of Professional Psychology

Alexis (Castro) Castro, PCCI
Professional Clinical Counselor Intern
Pronouns: she/her
Languages: English
Graduate Student: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, University of San Diego

Samantha Nemirov, PCCI
Professional Clinical Counselor Intern
Pronouns: she/her
Language: English
Graduate Student: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, University of San Diego

Sarah Fox, MSWI
Social Work Intern
Pronouns: she/her
Languages: English
Graduate Student: Social Work, San Diego State University

Michael Brown, MSWI
Social Work Intern
Pronouns: he/him
Languages: English
Graduate Student: Social Work, California State University San Marcos

Jahaziel Aguilera Arredondo, B.S.
Program Support Technician
Pronouns: he/él
Languages: English, Spanish

*Registered Associates, Graduate Trainees and Interns are supervised by Leslie Easton, LCSW 23099 and Nadia Sayeh, LMFT 100271.

Mission

The Student Health Center's departmental mission is to foster the academic and personal success of students by supporting the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the college community.

Student Program Outcomes

The Student Health Center is proud to provide quality, evidenced-based care to students. Among Mental Health Counseling's successes documented:

• Increased student access to community resources by bringing outside community partners to campus.
• Provided campus-wide outreach education and stigma reduction efforts to students, faculty, and staff.
• Provided orientation and follow up services to students, supporting both academic and personal success.
• Demonstrated improvement in functioning as measured by positive changes in assessment scores.

Free and Confidential Screenings

• Interactive Screening Program -Stress and Depression
• MindWise Screenings -Mental Health
• E-Checkup -Alcohol
• E-Checkup -Cannabis

We have been awarded a two-year partnership with Nod granting FREE access for any San Diego City College student and faculty/staff member! This offer will be available through December 2023.

Nod is addressing loneliness on college campuses.
Combining science and student-powered design to give college students the skills they need to build meaningful social connections.

Nod is rooted in the latest evidence-based practices including positive psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, and mindfulness self-compassion.

How take advantage of this amazing resource:

1. Download the Nod app on your mobile device. Nod can be downloaded on the App Store or Google Play.
2. Once installed, select San Diego City College from the school selection screen.
3. Create your own username and password.
4. Confirm your account/email via your emailed verification link. Please note: you must open the email and click the verify link from the mobile device you have installed Nod.
5. Have fun and explore ideas, reflections, and testimonials!
   • Ideas: prompts based on the science of social connection that help you take action.
   • Reflections: short in-app exercises to process social experiences, track your mood, reduce self-criticism, and build resilience.
   • Testimonials: real student perspectives on social connection.

We are excited to partner with Headspace and provide FREE access to the entire Headspace Library for any San Diego City College student and faculty/staff member! This offer will be available through November 10, 2023. 

Student Wellness

• Student Health Center Canvas, self-enroll to add to your Dashboard
• Mental Health Counseling YouTube
• Campus & Community Support Services and Resource Guide: Taking Care of You
• Mental Health Wellness Apps
• Wellness Central
• Mental Health Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Tips for Self-Care During COVID-19, (in Spanish), (in Arabic)
• Immigrants Rising (for Undocumented Students)

Basic Needs

• Assistance Finding Food, Paying Housing Bills, or other Essential Services, Use the Search Bar Above to Find Your Local 211 or Dial 211 to Speak to Someone Who Can Help
• Food Assistance Resources (in multiple languages)
• CalFresh, Covered California, and/or CARE Enrollment
• Under 26 & Uninsured, (in Spanish)
• Adult Mental Health Outpatient Walk-in Clinics
• Housing Eligibility
• Shelter Bed Availability
• Basic Needs (For SDCC Students)
• Need Help Accessing Basic Needs? (For SDCC Students)
• Holiday Assistance Programs 2022

Additional

• Resource Guide for Victims of Sexual Violence
• San Diego Domestic Violence Resources

March Events

For detailed descriptions of each visit the City College Calendar of Events (or scroll down).

Active Minds Chapter

Active Minds is the nation's leading nonprofit organization supporting mental health awareness and education for students. Powered by a network of over 800 campus chapters, Active Minds is creating communities of support and saving lives! We proudly advise the student-led Active Minds at San Diego City College. This chapter is a team of students who serve as advocates, stigma fighters, and educators for mental health! They hold regular meetings, host campus-wide events, collaborate with on-campus departments or programs and other student-led groups, collaborate with off-campus Active Minds chapters or local agencies, and seek Active Minds mini grants or other funding and leadership opportunities. All enrolled students are welcome to join! There is NO membership fee. To join this spring 2023 or for more information, contact: Active Minds Faculty Advisor, Nadia at nsayeh@sdccd.edu.

Peer Educators

As part of our suicide prevention efforts, we recruit students as Peer Educators. Peer Educators serve as a link between the student body and Mental Health Counseling, promoting the personal and academic success of all students by supporting overall wellness. Peer Educators conduct presentations and host numerous de-stress events throughout the academic year, educating the campus community on mental health in effort to reduce stigma associated with diagnoses and increase help seeking behaviors. All enrolled students are welcome to apply! We offer course credit through Work Experience and work-study through the Veteran Affairs Office. Applications are accepted shortly before each semester. For more information, contact: Peer Educator Coordinator, Abby at aweisman@sdccd.edu.

Request a Classroom or Department Presentation

We offer a variety of presentations on available services and the warning signs of suicide as well as other mental health issues and challenges.

Spring Non-Flex:

We Matter Monday | 2nd & 4th Monday | SHC A-180
11:00 AM-12:00 PM

Spring Flex:

Suicide Prevention Training | February 28 | MS-162
12:00-1:00 PM #11616 (English)
1:00-2:00 PM #11617 (Spanish)

Validate-Appreciate-Refer Training | April 11 | MS-140
12:00-1:00 PM #16218

Suicide Prevention Training | May 2 | MS-162
11:00 AM-12:00 PM #16413 (English)
12:00-1:00 PM #16414 (Spanish)

Faculty/staff consultations are also available.

_______________________ 

SDCC & SDCCE Mental Health Partnership

In July of 2017, the California Community College Chancellor's Office awarded San Diego City College (SDCC) and San Diego College of Continuing Education (SDCCE) a mental health services grant to increase student access to mental health support. Be Well CE represents the partnership between SDCC Student Health Center and SDCCE Outreach.

Key Objectives

• Promote and provide screening services
• Promote culturally competent referrals and response
• Increase access and reduce racial disparities
• Develop and implement stigma reduction programming
• Implement education and training to faculty, staff and students
• Develop partnerships with behavioral health clinics in the community

MindWise Screenings

MindWise Screenings are designed to provide a safe and anonymous way for individuals to check in on their mental health. MindWise validated screening tools allow students to take self-assessment questionnaires for 10 mental health conditions: depression, anxiety, substance use disorder (including opioids, tobacco, marijuana, cocaine, inhalants, and more), alcohol use disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, eating disorder, bipolar disorder, psychosis, gambling disorder, and adolescent depression (to be completed by parent or guardian). Results are not a medical diagnosis but a suggestion, and starting place to learn more. Students will receive resources emailed to them upon completing the assessment.

Outreach and Training

Be Well CE is committed to promoting the training of faculty/staff and students on early identification, intervention and referral services to better serve our students. Trainings provided:

• LGBTQ Academy
• SafeZone Training
• QPR Suicide Prevention
• De-escalation Training for Distressed Students
• Trauma Informed Response to Sexual Assault Disclosures
• Mindfulness, Meditation and Stress Reduction
• And many more!

The Board of Behavioral Sciences receives and responds to complaints regarding services provided within the scope of practice of clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and professional clinical counselors. You may contact the board online at www.bbs.ca.gov, or by calling 916-574-7830.

The Mental Health Counseling of the San Diego City College receives and responds to complaints regarding the practice of psychotherapy by any unlicensed or unregistered counselor providing services at San Diego City College. To file a complaint, contact 619-388-3055, leaston@sdccd.edu, www.sdcity.edu/mentalhealthcounseling, or Mental Health Counseling A-180, 1313 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101.

Crisis Policy

An appointment may be shortened or rescheduled in the event of a presenting crisis or emergency. We appreciate your understanding.

Cancellation/No Show Policy

Please contact Mental Health Counseling at least 24 hours prior to your appointment if you need to cancel so that we may offer that time to another student in need 619-388-3055. Failure to attend two consecutively scheduled appointments may result in a referral to community resources.