Mental Health Counseling
We Are Here For You!
Let's connect! Follow us on Instagram @active_minds_sdcitycollege and @sdcitymentalhealth, Tiktok @citymentalhelp, Facebook @mentalhealthcounselingsdcitycollege. Download FREE Nod app for San Diego City College: combining science and student-powered design to give students the needed skills to build meaningful social connections! Download FREE Headspace app for San Diego City College.
In Crisis?
Call or Text 988
Lifeline | Free 24/7, Confidential
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.
In-person and 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.
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.
We've partnered with TimelyCare, a student-centered platform, to offer San Diego City College students FREE on-demand access to health and wellness (physical and mental health, basic needs) support 24/7!
While the Student Health Center is still your FIRST STOP for student health needs, this partnership offers support and resources 24/7; evenings, weekends, and even during semester breaks!
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, LPCC 14532
Registered 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
Registered Associate Clinical Social Worker
Pronouns: he/him
Languages: English
Education: M.S., Social Work, California State University San Marcos
Lissa Margott Garcia, APCC 11810
Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
Pronouns: she/her/ella
Languages: English, Spanish
Education: M.S., Counseling, San Diego State University
Abraham Galvan, PCCI
Professional Clinical Counselor Intern
Pronouns: he/his
Languages: English, Spanish
Graduate Student: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, University of San Diego
Karli Cirovski, PCCI
Professional Clinical Counselor Intern
Pronouns: she/her
Language: English
Graduate Student: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, University of San Diego
Serene Shibly, PCCI
Professional Clinical Counselor Intern
Pronouns: she/her
Languages: English, Arabic
Graduate Student: Social Work, San Diego State University
Carina Dimapilis, MFTT
Marriage & Family Therapist Trainee
Pronouns: she/her
Languages: English
Graduate Student: Marriage & Family Therapy, California School of Professional Psychology
Mia Jackson, MFTT
Marriage & Family Therapist Trainee
Pronouns: she/her
Languages: English
Graduate Student: Marriage & Family Therapy, California School of Professional Psychology
Josephine (Jodi) Schenck, MSWI
Clinical Social Work Intern
Pronouns: she/her
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:
- Download the Nod app on your mobile device. Nod can be downloaded on the App Store or Google Play.
- Once installed, select San Diego City College from the school selection screen.
- Create your own username and password.
- 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.
- 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've partnered with Headspace to provide San Diego City College students and faculty/staff members FREE access to the entire Headspace Library!
- Start here.
- Create a new Headspace account, or login to an existing account.
- For students, verify your association to San Diego City College by typing in your @student.sdccd.edu email address. For faculty/staff, verify your association by typing in your @sdccd.edu email address.
- Visit your SDCCD inbox to confirm your Headspace account.
- Download the Headspace app on your phone and login using your information from step 2.
- Meditate!
Need help? Headspace is available for support at teamsupport@headspace.com
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
For detailed descriptions of each visit the City College Calendar of Events (or scroll down).
The Mindful City September Newsletter
For detailed descriptions of each event 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. Fall Meeings: Mondays 12:00-1:00 PM in A-180. To join 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 Student Health Center, 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 health and wellness 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.
Fall 2023 Flex Trainings
Student Care De-Escalation Techniques #20167
August 15th | 1:00-2:00 PM | Zoom
Mindfulness & Self-Compassion #20135
August 16th | 12:00-1:00 PM | Zoom
Validate-Appreciate-Refer (VAR) Training #20465
September 20 | 12:00-1:00 PM | Zoom
Suicide Prevention Training (English) #TBA
November 16 | 1:00-2:00 PM | S-113
Suicide Prevention Training (Spanish) #TBA
November 16 | 2:00-3:00 PM | S-113
Faculty/staff consultations are also available.
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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.