About Us
Welcome
Welcome Matadors! University Counseling Services (UCS) is a mental health center for students enrolled at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). UCS supports the missions of the University and the Division of Student Affairs by enhancing student well-being and academic success through the provision of a range of high-quality mental health services including initial evaluations, short-term counseling and psychotherapy, Wellness Workshops, group treatment, psychiatric services, crisis/urgent care services, and case management.
UCS services are free, confidential, and accessible, including a psychologist who is able to provide mental health services in American Sign Language (ASL). We have a remarkable and diverse team of mental health professionals, peer education staff, and administrative support staff who are all committed to serving students. We are committed to providing a welcoming and safe environment that is affirming of individual and cultural diversity, and promotes inclusion.
In addition to clinical services, UCS also makes contributions to the campus community through the provision of psychoeducational programs and workshops as well as facilitation of healing spaces. These efforts are intended to highlight mental health and wellness practices, eliminate the stigma towards mental health, increase knowledge and helping skills amongst our campus community members, and contribute to the creation of a community of care on our campus.
Are you a student who is looking to get more involved on campus and raise awareness on current issues that affect our society? UCS has four dedicated student peer education programs (The BLUES Project, JADE, Project D.A.T.E., and Men CARE) that aim to increase awareness and knowledge about significant mental health and wellness issues that impact students (e.g., depression, suicide, sexual assault and rape, gender-based violence, disordered eating, eating disorders and body image), and promote help-seeking behavior, as well as bystander intervention, through the provision of extensive psychoeducation and annual campus wellness events. Joining one of our peer education programs can be a wonderful experience that will allow you to connect with fellow students and the CSUN community.
We invite you to check out our website for the different resources available throughout (e.g., wellness workshops, groups, Let's Talk, self-help library, videos, blogs). Please remember, Matadors, we are here for you!
Julie Pearce, Psy. D.
UCS Director
julie.pearce@csun.edu
University Counseling Services (UCS) is a multidisciplinary student mental health center for the California State University, Northridge (CSUN) campus. UCS supports the missions of the University and the Division of Student Affairs by enhancing student well-being and academic success through the provision of a range of high quality mental health services and campus community outreach intended to de-stigmatize mental health and encourage help-seeking behavior. Our diverse team of mental health professionals, peer education staff, and administrative support staff are committed to providing a welcoming and safe environment that is affirming of individual and cultural diversity, and promotes inclusion.
We value your input. Please let us know what you think about our services using our Contact Us form. We would love to hear any suggestions or recommendations you may have for new services that would be helpful to you.
We also want to know what you think about our recently updated website.
Your responses are anonymous, but if you'd like a response from us please provide us your contact information with your comments.
"No pride for some of us without liberation for all of us." ~Marsha P. Johnson
We, at University Counseling Services (UCS), proudly support our LGBTQIA+ students. We will not sit back in silence, as we witness the development of a dangerous trend that singles out LGBTQIA+ communities as targets for further marginalization. There has been anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation passed in many states throughout our country including banning access to LGBTQIA+ affirmative books for youth, prohibiting education about sexual orientation and gender identity, and banning teachers from using gender-affirming names...instead forcing them (against student wishes) to use “deadnames” and incorrect pronouns. Other legislation has been introduced or passed that places restrictions on fundamental needs like gender-affirming healthcare, bathroom and locker room use, including laws preventing Trans individuals from using bathrooms that align with their gender identity, and Trans athletes being restricted from participating in sports.
As mental health professionals, we see first-hand the damaging impact of these trends on our Queer and Trans students. With so many systemic and political forces working to undermine the dignity, worth, and health of LGBTQIA+ students, we believe it is important to publicly condemn such discriminatory and destructive actions. University Counseling Services (UCS) stands with and for our CSUN students of all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations. We work diligently to provide mental health care that uplifts our LGBTQIA+ students by providing affirmative care including offering services specific to their mental health concerns, and connecting them with resources both on and off campus.
University Counseling Services wants to express our support for our campus community after the recent Supreme Court decision overturning Roe V. Wade. We understand and acknowledge that not all thoughts are aligned over this decision, however, as mental health professionals we are acutely aware that for many this change has created an atmosphere of fear, sadness, anger, and worry about the stripping of rights in many parts of the country that had been afforded to women and people who can become pregnant for the past 50 years. Per Governor Newsom’s statement on June 27, 2022, California remains committed to protecting reproductive rights and no laws about reproductive services have changed in our state. We recognize that decisions involving health and families are deeply personal and made with thoughtful consideration. We affirm the right of all people to advocate for their healthcare needs and have access to the services they deem essential to their well-being. We also acknowledge, as a Majority Minority Institution, the most restrictive laws disproportionately impact our marginalized communities, including communities of color and the LGBTQIA+ community.
We want CSUN students impacted by this decision to know that UCS is here to support you through these tumultuous times. We are committed as a center to provide a supportive space for any student who may need or desire one, and will work to the best of our ability to help students navigate challenges in their personal lives, community, and in our country. Our office is open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Scheduled appointments are available, and we offer 24/7 crisis/urgent care service: (818) 677-2366, Option 1 (during open office hours) and (818) 677-2366, Option 3 (evenings, weekends, and holidays).
Members of the University Counseling Services (UCS) team stand in solidarity in upholding the dignity, respect, and equality of all members of our campus community and standing against racism, systemic oppression, injustice and hate.
UCS mental health professionals and staff are deeply saddened by continued acts of violence towards Black, Brown, and Queer individuals. We want to acknowledge the profound impact these collective traumas have on the psyche of our campus and the soul of our country. Today, we are particularly focused on the most recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and Rayshard Brooks. Though harmful for all, we recognize that racist oppression is particularly painful for members of the African-American and Black community. We deplore the pandemic of racism.
Acts of violence against specific communities leave scars. We know the psychological consequences of trauma such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, grief, and substance abuse, and want to remind students that we are here for you. We are committed to providing affirming, supporting, and safe healing spaces for you. You can speak to a counselor during business hours by calling (818) 677-2366, option 1 or speak to a crisis counselor. During business hours, contact a crisis by calling (818) 677-2366, option. Outside of business hours, speak to a crisis counselor by calling (818) 677-2366, option 3. Additional resources are available in our Self-Help Library under Racial Justice and Ally Resources.
As we move forward, let us remember that “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” – Ida B. Wells-Barnett
Please visit our Videos page to view the video recording of this Solidarity Statement made by our UCS team.
Members of the University Counseling Services (UCS) team stand in firm solidarity with our Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. Though too often suffering in silence, AAPI individuals have been historically oppressed. Over this past year, there has been a steep escalation in hate-inspired rhetoric directed towards members of the AAPI communities. AAPI persons have been cruelly mocked and actually blamed for the world-wide pandemic. This shameful scapegoating has led to sharp increases in both verbal and physical attacks on members of the AAPI communities. The UCS team abhors the vile rhetoric and assaults. We recognize the intrinsic value of the AAPI communities at CSUN and throughout the United States.
Indeed, we honor the dignity and worth of all our beautifully, diverse communities. We fervently support equality, non-discrimination, accessibility, and inclusion. We stand against systemic oppression, injustice and hate directed towards communities based on their race/ethnicity, immigration status, sexual/affectional orientation, age, gender/gender identity, religion, abilities, or national origin.
Resources Specific to the AAPI Community
In addition to our regular services, we want to highlight additional mental health and wellness resources to support AAPI students:
Asian American Psychological Association
Asian Mental Health Collective
Asian Mental Health Collective APISAA Therapist Directory
Asians Do Therapy: Reducing Stigma and Increasing Accessibility
National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association
Stop AAPI Hate Reporting Center reported 3,795 cases of Anti-Asian incidents since the beginning of the pandemic.
Free Webinars
Bystander Intervention to Stop Anti-Asian/American and Xenophobic Harassment on various dates and times – Zoom webinar presented by Right To Be and Asian Americans Advancing Justice, AAJC