Personal/Mental Health Counseling Sessions
If it is outside our hours of operation or during a semester break, you may access CareSolace, our 24-hour mental health support services partner.
Free and confidential Counseling and Mental Health Services are available in person, via Zoom or by Phone to currently enrolled students who are physically in the state of California. To request an appointment, please fill out the contact form on our Health Services main page or call the:
- Oceanside Health Center at 760.795.6675
- San Elijo Health Center at 760.757.2121 x7747.
Sessions are 50 minutes, one time per week for up to six consecutive weeks. One-time drop-in crisis sessions of up to 50 minutes are also available. Sessions may be used for individual, relationship, or family counseling. Some common reasons to seek mental health counseling are:
- Generally overwhelmed with life
- Difficulties at school or work
- Stress and anxiety
- Depression
- Difficulty with sleep
- Relationship challenges
- Substance abuse
- Concerns about eating
- Sexuality
- Gender identity
- Traumatic life experiences
- Pressure/trauma related to marginalization
Groups
Social Skills Group for Students on the Autism Spectrum
Mondays, 3pm-3:50pm. Interested in developing new social skills or practicing social interactions with others? In collaboration with Student Accessibility Services. Facilitated by Van Ethan Levy (Health Services) and Krystle Taylor (SAS). Email vlevy@miracosta.edu for information & link.
Group for Black Students
Tuesdays, 4pm-4:50pm. Student-only space for Black students to share experiences and build community. In collaboration with Student Equity & UMOJA. Facilitated by Tammah Watts. Email twatts@miracosta.edu for information & link.
Recovery Support Group
Wednesdays, 12pm-1pm. An anonymous mutual support group for individuals with addictive problems, led by a licensed mental health professional, using a self-empowering (SMART Recovery oriented) approach to change. Facilitated by Tammah Watts. Meeting ID: 994 3013 6808, Password: 052613
Prism Collective
Wednesdays, 5pm-5:50pm. An affirming space for all LGBTQIA+ students to share experiences, speak about the nuances of their identities, and build community. In collaboration with Student Equity. Facilitated by Van Ethan Levy (Health Services) & fran bautista (LGBTQIA+ Equity). Email vlevy@miracosta.edu for information & link.
UPRISE Group
Wednesdays, 6pm-7:30pm. Support group for undocumented students and their loved ones. In collaboration with UPRISE (through Student Equity). Facilitated by Michelle Lara & Noel Puga, in English and Spanish. Email mlara@miracosta.edu and npuga@miracosta.edu for information & link.
Our Team
The Mental Health Counseling Team is comprised of a diverse group of professionals and includes Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors, and pre-licensed counselors and associates.
We have been trained to look at the world from a systemic, humanistic, social justice, and equity-minded perspective. We consider the whole person in our work with students. This includes focusing on past and current experiences, including the impact the larger system has on lived experiences. We therefore consider the impact of social injustices and systemic inequities on individuals, including acknowledging and examining systems, policies, and practices of oppression that students have experienced.
As clinicians, we are in solidarity for social justice and equity, both here at MiraCosta and in the larger community. We are here for all students and as an additional source of support for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and LGBTQIA+ students in the MiraCosta community, both through individual counseling and through scheduled group sessions.
Carolina Lopez (she/they)
Mental Health Counselor
Carolina identifies as a daughter of a migrant, a mixed-status student, and a non-binary,
queer, Latin womxn. She is a first-generation graduate student seeking a degree in
Multicultural Community Counseling at San Diego State University (SDSU). Carolina
graduated with a psychology degree from Cal State San Marcos (CSUSM) in 2022. She
decided to seek a degree in counseling after recognizing how important it is to have
mental health professionals that are representative of their clientele. She is interested
in serving and providing therapy to Spanish speaking and minority groups. In the near
future, she aspires to receive her PhD in clinical psychology and open her own clinic.
In her spare time, Carolina enjoys dancing, playing instruments, and going on hikes.
She enjoys cooking and trying new foods from different cultures. She loves to learn
about people and spend quality time with her family. Carolina also loves to take trips
to Mexico to reconnect with her ancestral roots. She aspires to visit every country
in the world.
Latia Hoskins (she/her/hers)
Mental Health Counselor
Latia is a graduate student at San Diego State University pursuing her Master’s in
Multicultural Counseling and Social Justice Education. SDSU is where she also received
her BA in Linguistics with a minor in Psychology. Originally from Norfolk, Virginia,
she was stationed in San Diego, California in 2011 with the United States Navy and
has since made the city her home. Her studies in Linguistics and Psychology branched
out to a desire to teach and bridge educational gaps in communities that need it most.
She has worked in many different industries and proudly served as a mentor, tutor,
and ESL teacher which has given her exposure to diverse communities; of various age
ranges, ethnic groups, and neurodiverse populations. In addition to English, Latia
is fluent in American Sign Language. She is also a certified Yoga instructor with
a love of international travel and exploration. Latia approaches work with the individual
in mind to tailor-fit any and all services provided. As an intern Latia looks forward
to enhancing her skills in person-centered therapy with an emphasis on integrative,
holistic treatment and mindful practices.
Judith Flores Romero (she/her/ella)
Mental Health Counselor
Hola! My name is Judith Flores Romero. I am a first-generation Mexican American college
student and single parent. I identify as Chicana. I am Bilingual (Spanish/English)
and use Spanglish as a tool to communicate on a daily basis. I work at the MiraCosta
Community Learning Center as a Campus Aide III. I am a former MiraCosta College PUENTE
(2010) student. I received my bachelor’s degree from the University of California
Riverside in Women Studies. Currently, I am a graduate student at the San Diego State
University for the Community Based Block (CBB): Multicultural Counseling and Social
Justice Education Master’s program. I am passionate about helping those in need, especially
the non-traditional college students who come from historically underserved communities.
I use a people-centered approach and draw from my lived experiences to connect with
the people that I work with. I am interested in working with mindfulness- based therapies,
solution focused therapy, art therapy, healing the inner child and trauma informed
therapy. Outside of work and school I enjoy being in nature, exercise, meditation,
and practicing yoga. I love finding alternative therapeutic practices to incorporate
into my daily routine.
Anna Gomez (she/her/hers)
Mental Health Counselor
Anna is a student intern, currently studying at National University to pursue her
master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. Anna received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology
from National University with a focus in Child Psychology. While pursuing her bachelor’s
degree, Anna worked as a Massage Therapist and earned Holistic Healthcare Practitioner
volunteer hours at a local hospital. This was where she got the privilege to volunteer
in the oncology and children’s oncology wards of the hospital and where she learned
the value of active listening. Currently, Anna works as an advisor in higher education,
and enjoys any chance to help fellow students. Anna was born and raised in Los Angeles
California, but moved to sunny San Diego seventeen years ago. In her free time, Anna
enjoys spending time with her eleven-year-old daughter, baking, and enjoying nature.
Anna exercises mindfulness activities in her daily life and has recently started meditating
as much as possible. Anna looks forward to exercising mindful-based therapy approaches,
cognitive approaches, emotion focused therapy, and solution focused therapy. Anna
is honored to work with students at MiraCosta College.
Purvi Bhakta (she/her/hers)
Mental Health Counselor
Purvi is from Long Beach, California but has been lucky enough to call San Diego home
since 2021. She is currently a graduate student at the University of San Diego pursuing
her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and received her BA in Psychology
with a minor in Communication Studies from California State University, Long Beach
in 2021. During that time, she worked with young children tutoring them to enhance
their basic language and math skills while also interning at Helpline Youth Counseling
where she worked with at-risk high school students. As a counselor-in-training, Purvi
values the many aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution Focused Therapy.
For fun, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her friends and family, working
out, and exploring San Diego. In addition to English, Purvi also speaks Gujarati.
Coming from the South Asian community, she is very passionate about bringing more
awareness of mental health to underserved communities and being a resource for South
Asian youth in a way that she never had growing up.
Kelcie Cannon (she/her/hers)
Mental Health Counselor
Kelcie is a student intern currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology
from National University. Kelcie has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University
of California Santa Barbara with an emphasis in counseling and school psychology.
Kelcie was born and raised in Oceanside, California. She considers all of North County
San Diego her home. Previously, Kelcie worked as a behavioral therapist for children
diagnosed with autism. Later, she worked on multiple organic farms throughout the
US to explore her interest in regenerative agriculture and sustainable food production.
Currently, she manages a non-profit urban farm that provides organic produce and vocational
opportunities to adults diagnosed with developmental disabilities. Kelcie partners
with other non-profits within the community to connect excess produce to food pantries
in neighborhoods facing food insecurity. Kelcie strives for an integrative approach
in order to best serve the unique needs of her clients and their situations. She incorporates
person-centered therapies, cognitive therapies, mindfulness-based therapies, and a
strengths-based approach in her practice. Kelcie is thrilled to be back on a college
campus working with the students at MiraCosta College.
Jesus D. Mendez Carbajal, APCC (they/them/theirs/él)
Mental Health Counselor
My name is Jesus and I am a bilingual (Spanish/English) Associate Professional Clinical
Counselor (APCC). I am 29 years old, queer, non-binary, undocumented, DACA recipient,
and come from a mixed-status family. I was born on Nahua land in Guerrero, Mexico
and raised locally in Kosa’aay (San Diego) on Kumeyaay land. After high school, I
enrolled at San Diego Mesa College and successfully transferred to San Diego State
University (SDSU) in 2013 where I received my B.A. in Chicana/o Studies with a minor
in Women’s Studies in 2016. In 2020 I received my M.S. in Counseling from SDSU’s Community
Based Block (CBB) Multicultural Community Counseling and Social Justice Education
Program. My professional, volunteer, educational and lived experiences make me an
effective multicultural counselor capable of working with clients from all walks of
life. I acknowledge that while the issues we face are personally experienced, they
are connected to systems of power, privilege and oppression and their impact extends
beyond ourselves. I draw from person centered, experiential, emotion focused and motivational
interviewing theories as well as mindfulness and spirituality as appropriate. Overall,
I am a passionate life-long student of healing, plant knowledge, astrology, emotional
wellness, mental health, and spirituality.
James Olmos (he/him/his)
Mental Health Counselor
I was born and raised in El Centro, California, but San Diego has been my home since
2013. I was a student at San Diego City College then transferred to UC San Diego,
where I majored in Ethnic Studies. I am currently a graduate student in the Community
Based Block Program (CBB) at San Diego State University. As a non-traditional student,
I am passionate about social justice, and have experience working in mentorship programs
such as Hermanos Unidos Brothers United (HUBU), Puente, Chancellor‘s Associates Scholarship
Program (CASP), and TRIO Student Support Services Program. As a first-generation student
and son of immigrants, I know how important and transformative education can be. Community
College has been one of the most profound experiences in my life, and I hope you all
get the most during your experience as we embark on this therapeutic journey of self-discovery,
self-love, and acceptance of exploring your true-self.
Rachel Yi Ling Benson (she/her/hers)
Mental Health Counselor
Rachel is a registered associate marriage and family therapist (AMFT). She received
her Masters's Degree in Counseling Psychology and specialized in Marriage and Family
Therapy (MFT) with Distinction. She is originally from Hong Kong, and she speaks several
languages, including Cantonese and Mandarin. Rachel believes every person is unique,
and she also understands how difficult it is for clients to deal with emotional issues
such as separation, divorce, and death. Rachel has worked in various school districts
with diverse populations. Rachel enjoys working with individuals and their families
through different challenges of life. Rachel is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization
and Reprocessing (EMDR), sand tray therapy, Gottman Couple Therapy, and Play Therapy
with young children. She leans toward Solution Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy,
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, sand tray/sand play therapy, Art and Music Therapy,
and Play Therapy. She was fortunate to learn about sand tray therapy from the World
Association of Sand Therapy professionals. She believes that using an integrated therapy
approach and evidenced-based interventions can help her clients reach their highest
potential and achieve their goals.
Michelle Lara-Canlas, LPCC 11339 (she/her/hers)
Associate Faculty / Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Michelle is a daughter of Mexican immigrants, born and raised in North County San
Diego. Michelle identifies as a Chicana, is bilingual (Spanish/English), and uses
her lived experiences to better connect to those she works with. Michelle received
her Masters in Multicultural Clinical Counseling and Social Justice from the Community-Based
Block program at San Diego State University. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical
Counselor (LPCC), focused on helping students not only survive, but thrive in both
their academic and personal lives. Michelle uses a multicultural and social justice
lens to help folks cope with stress, depression, anxiety, adjustment and life transitions,
grief and loss, first generation student issues, trauma, family of origin challenges,
exploring identities, and other challenges folx are facing. Michelle’s perspective
is trauma informed, client centered, and solution focused. Michelle uses talk therapy,
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and movement to help those she
works with achieve their goals and lead a more fulfilling life.
Van Ethan Levy, LMFT 118131, LPCC 8269 (they/elle)
Associate Faculty / Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Van is a queer, non-binary, trans, AFAB (Assigned Female at Birth), nBPOC (not Black
Person of Color), dually licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed
Professional Clinical Counselor. Van is passionate about holding space for all intersections
of one’s identity(ies). Van is dedicated to social justice & believes it is vital
to cultivate an awareness of our own internal strengths, specifically our resilience
as we continue to grow and discover ourselves. Van believes it is important to trust
and validate our experience(s) and journey(s). Van aims to use a trauma informed lens
and hope to help you learn ways to support yourself in the best way possible. Van
also provides trainings on trans and non-binary identities and is author of the interactive
book Exploring My Identity(ies) (2020).
Anjou Parekh, LPCC 7945 (she/her/hers)
Associate Faculty / Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Anjou is a licensed psychotherapist who supports individuals with a wide range of
issues, including anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma and PTSD, grief
and loss, and other life transitions. Anjou offers talk therapy as well as Eye Movement
Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She is also a certified yoga instructor and
blends elements of yoga and mindfulness-based approaches into her sessions as appropriate.
Anjou’s client-centered, solution-focused approach allows her to use a variety of
research-based therapeutic practices to support clients in their treatment goals.
She provides a confidential, warm, and nonjudgmental environment in which clients
can explore their thoughts and feelings as they move forward in their life journeys.
Her perspective is trauma-informed, multicultural, and LGBTQIA+ affirming. In Anjou’s
prior public health career, she spent over fifteen years managing healthcare programs
for women, children, and families, both domestically and internationally. Though she
was born in Canada and raised there and in the USA, Anjou has had the privilege of
working and living in a variety of countries in both Asia and Latin America, including
India, Japan, China, Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. She also speaks several languages,
including Spanish and Gujarati.
Tammah Watts, LMFT 111562 (she/her/hers)
Associate Faculty / Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Hi, I’m Tammah and thanks for your time. I consider it a privilege to be a Mental
Health Counselor here at MiraCosta College. Foremost for me is to meet the client
where they are in life with genuine regard and understanding in support of their self-actualization.
That is to say, I holistically support that you know yourself best and I honor your
unique journey towards optimal healing. I, therefore, incorporate an eclectic therapeutic
approach and find that Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy (CBT), and Motivational Therapy among others are effective when supported
by a foundational stance of acknowledgement for one’s identity and their inherent
right to equitable and just expectations. My background includes a life devoted to
serving people and communities. For over 25 years, I served as a Program Manager for
a private, nonprofit Child Abuse Prevention Agency in San Diego County and was responsible
for the establishment and operation of residential treatment facilities, school-based
programs, mental health outpatient clinics and innovative family services. My specializations
in Child, Youth, and Student Services, Foster Care and Intensive Wraparound Family
Support Services, Mental Health Treatment, Cultural Diversity, Innovative Delivery
System Modalities for Person-Centered Care, and Direct Clinical and Substance Abuse
Recovery Practices help to further inform my volunteerism and community engagement.
I am passionate about nature and conservation and currently am the Southern California
Chapter Representative on Audubon California, Board of Directors and Buena Vista Audubon
Society (Oceanside) Board of Directors. I am certified as a SMART Recovery Facilitator,
Domestic Violence Advocate, Mindfulness-Based Meditation, Cultural Diversity, and
a Clinical Trauma Professional. My education is a mix of attendance at community colleges,
4-year universities and ultimately earning my Masters in Counseling Psychology from
National University. I am a Licensed marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). My first
book, Keep Looking Up: Your Guide to the Powerful Healing of Bird watching, with Hay
House Publishing, will be out April, 2022.
*The mental health counseling team is under the co-leadership of the full-time mental health counselors, Abigail (Abby) Burd, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW 26867, and Ghada Osman, Ph.D., Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT 83472. They are in charge of program oversight and provide clinical supervision to the registered associates and graduate students, with limited availability for direct practice with students.
Abigail (Abby) Burd, MSW, LCSW 26867, PMH-C (she/her/hers/ella)
Full-Time Faculty / Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Abby is one of the two Full-Time Faculty members overseeing the mental health counseling
program. She also coordinates the Health Services' Peer Educators. Abby is a bilingual
(English/Spanish) clinical social worker with over 20 years experience in mental health.
Before joining MiraCosta College in 2020, she served the unique mental health needs
of community college students at San Diego City College for 13 years. There, she was
proud to help create innovative programming to reduce mental health stigma, particularly
for disproportionately impacted student groups. Abby is trained as a trainer in creating
LGBTQIA+ safe zones, suicide prevention gatekeeping, and mindfulness. Abby has been
a clinical supervisor on campuses and through her private practice since 2008, guiding
the next generation of pre-licensed social workers, marriage and family therapists
and clinical counselors. She is a culturally-humble, integrative clinician, drawing
upon Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solutions-Focused Therapy,
mindfulness, and trauma-informed approaches. Abby is certified in Perinatal Mental
Health and educated at San Diego State University (Master of Social Work) and Wesleyan
University in Middletown, CT (BA in Psychology-Sociology). Her first book, The Postpartum
Depression Workbook, was published in 2020.
Ghada Osman, Ph.D., LMFT 83472, C-IAYT (she/her/hers)
Full-Time Faculty / Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Ghada is one of the two Full-Time Faculty members overseeing the mental health counseling
program. Deeply trained in client-centered, trauma-informed work that is multicultural
in perspective and LGBTQPIA+ affirming, Ghada approaches her work with a cultural
humility that centers social justice and equity. She is a Brainspotting Consultant,
certified in EMDR and Yoga Therapies, and also incorporates in her work elements of
Cognitive, Narrative, and Internal Family Systems Therapies. Ghada is passionate about
the community college mission, having herself started her educational career as a
community college student. After receiving her Ph.D. from Harvard University and working
as a Professor for 10 years, Ghada returned to school and earned her M.A. in Psychology
with an emphasis on Marriage & Family Therapy from Chapman University. In addition
to her clinical work, Ghada serves as an examination reviewer for the Board of Behavioral
Sciences and as a committee chair for the statewide California Association of Marriage
& Family Therapists. She leads workshops and trainings on a range of mental health
topics. Her most recent book is Mental and Emotional Healing through Yoga: A Guiding
Framework for Therapists and their Clients.
