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, trauma. Students may attend a single session, but most students return for five to ten sessions with the same 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.
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
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 the 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: Post-doctoral Intern
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
Current Trainees
Danusia Nedilskyj, M.A.
Dennis Hollis, B.A.
Victoria Keyser, M.S.W.
Daniel Parker, M.A.
Education: Ph.D. candidate from California School of Professional Psychology
License: Pre-doctoral trainee
Support Staff
Gayle Villavicencio, Administrative Support Coordinator
Diane Umland, Administrative Support Assistant
From left to right: Dr. Smith, Diane, Dr. Keener, Dennis, Bridget, Victoria, Gayle, Danusia, Shelley, Daniel, Dr. Simmons, Dr. Schmitt
All students enrolled for academic credit (full-time or part-time, undergraduate or graduate) may use the 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.
The Student Health and Psychological Counseling Center is located in the Health Center building just north of the Commons and between the Student Union and Jack Brown Hall (Map). Please go to room 136 to check in.
During Winter 2008 The Psychological Counseling Center is open Monday, Thursday and Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm and Tuesday and Wednesday 8:00am - 7:00pm.
We may be closed for lunch between the hours of 12:00 and 1:00pm, special events and University Holidays.
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.
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 our services nor matters discussed in counseling. Except under certain specific circumstances, no parent, dean, faculty member, or other student can get access to information about you without your permission. Here are the exceptions:
- 1. A student who has used our services may authorize us to release records or to disclose information to anyone the student chooses. You must first complete and sign a request to exchange confidential information.
- 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.
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5. Counselors are mandated reportersof suspected elder or child abuse and will notify the appropriate agencies."
