Counseling Services
Student Counseling Services is committed to helping USC students creatively handle the stresses and challenges in their academic and personal goals.
The professional staff is diverse in terms of age, gender, ethnicity and sexual/affectional orientation. The staff includes psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and advanced graduate students. The staff is highly trained and experienced in helping students successfully cope with issues and concerns that are common to the college experience.
To initiate counseling or to participate in groups, workshops or Mentoring Programs, call (213) 740-7711, or come to Student Counseling Services in the YWCA Building for additional information.
Therapy Groups
Graduate Student Group
This is a safe and supportive group for graduate students. Members will discuss personal issues, (such as family problems, relationship problems, anxiety, depression), as well as concerns related to being graduate students. Contact: Pat Alford-Keating, Ph.D.
Peace with Food and Body Image
For women who are concerned about repetitive dieting, bingeing, purging or preoccupation with food and weight. This group will help you develop greater self-acceptance and effective strategies for dealing with these issues in a supportive and confidential setting. Contact: Elizabeth Reyes, Ph.D.
Relationship Issues Group (General Therapy Group)
These groups are designed for students who are interested in their own personal growth, who seek deeper understandings of themselves and their relationships with others. Group members can use the group to explore their conflicts, to learn new social skills, to get feedback on the impact they have on others, and to try out new behaviors. Contact: Karin Sponholz, Ph.D.
Women’s Therapy Group
This group provides a safe place to work on personal concerns with the benefit of women’s energy and ingenuity. Issues may include relationship concerns, difficult childhood experiences, juggling multiple roles, struggling with anxiety and/or depression, facing life transitions. Contact: Robin Ward, L.C.S.W.
Therapists in Training Group
Student Counseling Services is offering a process-oriented therapy group specifically for USC students in the mental health fields (e.g., MSW, MFT and clinical psychology students). The group will focus on interpersonal process, providing members with the opportunity to learn about themselves through their interactions with other members in the group. Even though all members will be mental health trainees, the focus of the group is self-exploration and growth and is not meant to be for case consultation. To some extent participating in the group can serve as a training experience, but the main purpose is for personal development. Contact: Kelly Greco, Psy.D.
Support Groups
Living with Loss Group (Spring Semester)
This is a group for anyone dealing with the loss of a close relationship, recently or in the past, due to death or other circumstances. The group will discuss coping strategies, honoring/remembering the past relationship, moving forward and how to talk to others about your loss. Participants can ask questions, talk to people with similar experiences and partake in experiential exercises that facilitate a healthy grief process. Contact: Beth Kebschull, L.C.S.W.
Lesbian, Gay and Bi Support Group
This is a small, confidential group. We will discuss issues such as coming out, dating and relationship concerns, self-acceptance and esteem, various aspects of the LGB community, the impact of race and culture, gender differences, and the stress involved in living within an oppressive society. Contacts: Pat Alford-Keating, Ph.D., or Stanley Harris, M.D.
Nosotras: A Latina Support Group
Topics include balancing school, work, relationships and family; self-esteem; dating concerns; identity; straddling two cultures; and finding your place at USC or within the Latina community at USC. Confidentiality is a priority. Contact: Elizabeth Reyes, Ph.D.
Solutions and Strategies Substance Abuse Support Group
For students who have a concern about their drinking and drug use. These group members offer confidential support and realistic planning strategies to each other for both abstinence and/or controlled use. Contact: Robin Ward, L.C.S.W.
Transition to College Support Group
A group for freshman and new transfer students. Topics of discussion include finding your social niche, getting along with your roommate, coping with homesickness, finding the right campus activities for you, balancing academic demands and a healthy lifestyle, dealing with long distance relationships, and making the college years the best they can be. Contact: Beth Kebschull, L.C.S.W.
Skill Enrichment Groups
Academic Anxiety Group
When studying, do you typically procrastinate until the last minute or find yourself frequently distracted by worries about your grades or academic performance? During exams, do you just go blank, find yourself thinking "I can't do this" or "I'm so stupid," feel your heart racing or find it difficult to breathe? This is a confidential, support/skill building group to help you cope with the stresses of college. Contact: Melissa McMullin, Psy.D.
Attentional and Social Difficulties Support Group
Provides a supportive and educational approach to such topics as: learning skills, social skills, mood management, self-esteem, focusing on tasks, recognizing strengths and weaknesses, managing distractions, task-directed thinking, career planning and other successful strategies used by adults with ADD, ADHD or Asperger's syndromes. Contacts: Melissa McMullin, Psy.D., or Pat Tobey, Ph.D.
Global Nomad Discussion Group (Third Culture Kids)
This group is open to anyone who identifies as a Global Nomad and/or who is interested in cross-cultural issues. A Global Nomad is a person who has grown up in a country which is different from the home country of his or her parents. This group is an open forum for discussion of issues related to cultural identity. Do you have trouble answering the question, “Where are you from?” This group may be where you belong. Contacts: Beth Kebschull, L.C.S.W., or Maria Pozo-Humphreys, L.C.S.W.
Living Zen and Wellness Group
This group is for individuals who would like to learn a holistic approach to improve health, regulate and enhance energy, improve one’s concentration, relax better, and develop a greater sense of personal power, tranquility and well-being. Members will learn approaches to wellness through meditation. Yoga, BaGua Zhang, nutrition and ways to enhance positive approaches to life situations. Contact: Shing-Shiong Chang, Ph.D.
Overcoming Writer's Block Group
This group is a highly supportive, hands-on group for students encountering problems with their academic writing. This group will develop practical strategies tailored to the needs of members. Contact: Pat Alford-Keating, Ph.D.
Social Confidence Group
A structured group that focuses on the needs of individuals with social anxiety, social phobia or "shyness." The group's goal is to help members develop specific techniques and skills, which they can use to improve the quality of their social interactions. Group topics include dating, assertiveness, networking and anxiety management. Contact: Timmy Lee, Ph.D.
Group Information
Groups are confidential. Most require a pre-group meeting with the leader(s). For information or to sign up for a group call (213) 740-7711. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Additional Programs Offered Through Student Counseling Services
Asian Pacific American Peer Mentoring
Upper division students have been trained by USC's Student Counseling Services and the Asian Pacific American Student Services (APASS) department to help “new” APA undergraduate students adjust to campus and community life. Specifically, they can address ways to get involved, ethnic identity, race relations and other personal issues related to being a USC student of Asian Pacific American heritage. For more information on how to get an APA Peer Mentor, please contact the APASS department at (213) 740-4999 or drop by Student Counseling Services.