Personal/Mental Health Counseling Sessions
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
UPRISE Group
Wednesdays, 6pm-7:30pm. For students who are undocumented/from mixed status families.
This group offers a space in which to process emotions, build community, and share
resources. Family members also welcome. Adults only. Email mlara@miracosta.edu and/or npuga@miracosta.edu for more information.
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.
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.
Noel Antonio Puga, M.S., APCC (he/him/él)
Mental Health Counselor
I am a first-generation ESL immigrant from Mexicali B.C. raised in South East San
Diego. My college engagement experience as a returning student helped me overcome
cultural identities and break cycles that repressed my self-growth and academic pursuits.
I am a former Undocumented “Puentista” from San Diego City College; I graduated from
San Diego State University with a B.A. in Social Work and an M.S. in Multicultural
Community Counseling (CBB). For the last 5 years, I have been working with the undocumented
community at the college level via my jobs at the Dream Center Program and Dreamer
Resource Center. In addition, I have had the privilege of supporting unaccompanied
minors while being sheltered and waiting to reunify with their families. As a bilingual
Spanish/English speaking client-centered counselor, I utilize various validating and
empowering approaches during therapy. I use a variety of modalities including Solution
Focused Therapy, CBT, Narrative Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Positive Psychotherapy.
I use these while building rapport, exploring solutions, engaging your inner strengths,
emotions, resources and guiding you towards a rewarding healing journey to be able
to accomplish your personal and professional well-being.
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 (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 & LPCC (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 (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 (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 Birdwatching, 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, Abby Burd, LCSW and Ghada Osman, PhD, LMFT. They are in charge of program oversight and supervision, with more limited direct practice with students.
Abigail (Abby) Burd, MSW, LCSW, 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, 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 LGBTQIA+ affirming, Ghada approaches her work with a cultural humility
that centers social justice and equity. She is 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 member
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.
