background image
background image skip navigation to main content

About Us

Who Uses the Psychological Counseling Center

The goal of the Psychological Counseling Center is to provide professional counseling services to currently enrolled CSUSB students. Most students who utilize the Center are free of any mental illness and may be experiencing a variety of difficulties including: stress, anxiety, homesickness, depression, relationship problems, grief or trauma. Students may attend a single session, but most students return for additional sessions with their counselor. Counseling is completely confidential, and students are assured they will have privacy. Professors, deans and parents are not notified that a student is receiving counseling, unless a student requests such contact and signs a release permitting such. One exception is when a student poses a risk to self or others. When an individual's needs are beyond the scope of the PCC services, referral options will be provided.

back to top back to top

Common Concerns and Issues Discussed

  • Confusion, anxiety, or depression
  • Mood variability
  • Needing help with an important decision
  • Loneliness
  • Adjusting to living away from parents
  • Friendship problems
  • Romantic concerns
  • Family concerns-including parental divorce
  • Compulsive eating
  • Self-destructive use of alcohol or drugs
  • Loss of a relationship
  • Balancing academics and social needs
  • Shyness
  • Illness or death of a friend or family member
  • Personal trauma such as sexual assault
  • Illness or death of a friend or family member
  • back to top back to top

    Meet Our Staff

    Patricia Smith, Dr.P.H.
    Title: Director of Student Health and Psychological Counseling Center
    Education: Dr.P.H. Loma Linda University School of Public Health
    License: Public Health Nurse, Registered Nurse

    Terry Schmitt, Ph.D.
    Title: Associate Director of Student Health & Psychological Counseling Center
    Education: Ph.D. in Psychology from University of California, Riverside
    License: Clinical Psychologist

    Shelley Pope, M.S.
    Education: M.S. in Clinical/Counseling Psychology from California State University, San Bernardino
    License: Marriage and Family Therapist

    Rachel Keener, Psy.D.
    Education: Psy.D. from Fuller Graduate School of Psychology
    License: Clinical Psychologist

    Bridget Tucker, M.S.
    Education: M.S. in Clinical/Counseling Psychology from
          California State University,San Bernardino
    License: Marriage and Family Therapist

    Julie Simmons, M.A., Psy.D.
    Education: M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from
          Azusa Pacific University
    Psy.D. in Clinical Family Psychology from
          Azusa Pacific University
    License: Marriage and Family Therapist
                  Clinical Psychologist

    Jeffrey Andreas Tan, Ph.D..
    Education: Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from
          The University of Missouri-Columbia
    M.A. in Counseling Psychology from
          The University of Missouri-Columbia
    License: Clinical Psychologist



    Current Trainees

    Shane Calhoun
    Education: M.A. Clinical Psychology, Rosemead School of Psychology
    Pursuing a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology at Loma Linda University, specializing in Health Psychology.

    Jennifer Gless
    Education : M.Ed. in Health Education from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
    Pursuing a M.S. in Clinical/Counseling Psychology from Cal. State University, San Bernardino

    Amy Pitchforth
    Pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Loma Linda University with an emphasis on Health Psychology


    Post-Doc Interns:

    Beth Jaworski, Ph.D
    Education: Ph.D. Psychology, Syracuse University
    Pursuing California licensure as a clinical psychologist.

    Alice Thomson. Ph.D
    Education:Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Loma Linda University
    MA in General Experimental Psychology, Loma Linda University
    BA in Psychology from California State University, San Bernardino



    Support Staff
    Gayle Villavicencio, Administrative Support Coordinator
    Diane Umland, Administrative Support Assistant


    Psychological Counseling Center Staff

    From left to right back row:Jennifer, Dr. Keener, Michelle, Evan, Dr. Tan, Briget, Shelley, Dr. Thomson, Dr. Schmitt
    From left to right front row:Diane, Amy, Dr. Smith, Shane, Dr. Simmons, Gayle



    back to top back to top

    Eligibility

    All students enrolled for academic credit (full-time or part-time, undergraduate or graduate) may use the Student Health and Counseling Center.

    Note: If you are taking a quarter off from CSUSB and desire counseling you may be eligible for services if the following criteria are met: You intend to return to CSUSB the following quarter; you have been enrolled at CSUSB for the past two consecutive quarters; and you pay the one time quarterly Health Fee before seeing a counselor.

    Students enrolled in continuing education, extension or Open University courses are not eligible for services.

    A non-student may be served only as part of couples counseling when the non-student's significant other is currently enrolled at CSUSB.

    Summer Eligibility: Students who are enrolled in summer classes are eligible for counseling services during the summer quarters. Students who desire counseling services during the summer quarter and are not enrolled in summer sessions, have the option to pay the health services fee and receive counseling services.

    back to top back to top

    Cost

    The Psychological Counseling Center is funded by the student health fee paid at the time of enrollment to CSUSB. No other fees apply.

    back to top back to top

    Location

    The Psychological Counseling Center is currently located in the TA Building just north of the Student Health Center building and expansion project (Map). Please go to room TA104B to check in.

    back to top back to top

    Office Hours

    During the academic year the Psychological Counseling Center is open:
    DayHours
    Monday8:00am - 5:00pm
    Tuesday8:00am - 7:00pm
    Wednesday8:00am - 7:00pm
    Thursday8:00am - 5:00pm
    Friday10:00am - 5:00pm


    The PCC may be closed for lunch between the hours of 12:00 and 1:00pm, special events and University Holidays.

    Summer Hours

    Monday - Thursday 8:00am - 5:00pm
    The PCC will be closed between 12:30pm to 1:30pm.

    back to top back to top

    Scheduling Appointments

    Students may schedule appointments in person at the PCC or via telephone. Please call the Psychological Counseling Center at (909) 537-5040 to schedule an appointment.

    The PCC is unable to schedule appointments via a third person.

    back to top back to top

    Confidentiality and privacy

    All contacts with the Psychological Counseling Center are confidential, except in situations where laws or ethics require notification of a family member or others.

    The Psychological Counseling Center does not release any information regarding whether a student has used the service nor matters discussed in counseling. Except under certain specific circumstances, no parent, dean, faculty member, or other student can get access to information about client without express written permission.

    Exceptions:

      1. A student who has used the PCC services may give authorization to us to release records or to disclose information to anyone the student chooses. However, a request to exchange confidential information must first be completed and signed.
      2. If the counselor believes that there is danger to self or others, safety considerations will prevail, and the counselor will notify appropriate family members or other authority. Such disclosure is for the purpose of providing the necessary care and protection of the student.
      3. In very rare circumstances, the court may order the release of confidential information.
      4. Unlicensed counselors work under the supervision of a licensed counselor who has access to counseling records in order to perform supervision responsibilities. In addition, a student may grant permission for a counselor to audiotape or videotape a session for the counselor to review with his/her supervisor.
      5. Counselors are mandated reporters of suspected elder or child abuse and will notify the appropriate agencies.
    back to top back to top