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UCLA Counseling and Psychological Center

CAPS Drop-In Hours provide free, confidential, brief consultations for UCLA undergraduate and graduate students. These consultations do not constitute mental health treatment. During the visit, a specialized counselor can help you to explore resources, assess your mental health, and when needed, connect you to ongoing CAPS counseling, and other services.

If you are ready to start treatment or are interested in a mental health evaluation, call CAPS at 310-825-0768 for a same day triage assessment.

Drop-in Acknowledgement

*For any virtual drop-ins, please click on the time and counselor you are interested in seeing and schedule online.*

SAC/Kerckhoff

SAC and Kerckhoff drop-ins are available week 3 - 10. They are designed to support specific populations served by the following centers:
- UCLA Community Programs Office
- Bruin Resource Center
- Transfer Student Center
- LGBTQ Campus Resource Center
- UCLA Black Bruin Resource Center
- Graduate Student Resource Center

  • Therapist Elizabeth Hernandez smiling at the camera wearing a black blazer and colorful necklace with a white background MONDAYS 1PM - 3PM WITH ELIZABETH HERNANDEZ, PH.D.

    Dr. Ellie Hernandez (she/her) is a bilingual Latinx psychologist who is a first-generation UCLA alum. Using a strengths-based and community-centric approach, Ellie aims to build on existing resources, increase support, and optimize overall student wellness. Ellie leads groups such as UndocuScholars, Graduate Students of Color, and Immigration-Impacted Student support groups.


    *Virtual appointments*:
    - Appointments are for current UCLA undergraduate and graduate students only.
    - Appointments are bookable 14 days in advance and up to 3 hours before the appointment (if available). Only available times will be shown.
    - Please only book one appointment at a time.

  • Therapist Juliana Carranza wearing a blue tank top smiling at the camera with green leaves hanging on the wall behind her MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS 1PM-3PM WITH JULIANA CARRANZA, LCSW

    Juliana is a bilingual, Chicana, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, passionate about helping students meet their mental health needs through providing validating, nonjudgmental, and empowering psychotherapy. As a UCLA alum, first generation immigrant, and college student, Juliana has a special interest in working with historically marginalized and non-traditional students populations. During her time at UCLA, Juliana was an active member of MEChA de UCLA and CPO.

    *In-Person drop-ins available Mondays 1PM - 3PM*
    Location:
    Student Activities Center (SAC) - CPO liaison office located in Suite #105, Room 105E

    *Virtual drop-ins only are available on Wednesdays 1PM - 3PM*
    Please click on link above with time and name of counselor to schedule virtual drop-in appointment.

  • Therapist Diane Gallo wearing a yellow shirt with blue flowers smiling at the camera in front of a brown background TUESDAYS 1PM-3PM WITH DIANE JUNG GALLO, PSY.D.

    Dr. Jung Gallo is an Asian American psychologist who is passionate about working with students of color, undocumented students, first generation college students, and international students. Her specialty areas include Asian/Asian American mental health, eating disorders, trauma, relationship issues, and identity development. She takes a multicultural, collaborative approach to therapy. She also leads the Compassion for your Inner Critic and Asian American Community Support Group at CAPS.


    Location:
    Kerckhoff Hall - Transfer Student Center
    Virtual Option Available: Please schedule by calling CAPS (310) 825-0768

  • Therapist Diana Chappelear smiling at the camera wearing a black top with green foliage in the background TUESDAYS 1PM-3PM WITH DEE CHAPPELEAR, PH.D.

    Dr. Dee Chappelear is a CAPS staff psychologist who specializes in working with the LGBTQ community. Dr. Dee has served as a drop in therapist at the LGBT Center for the past several years. She works with students who are managing a wide variety of issues and stressors.


    *Virtual appointments*:
    - Appointments are for current UCLA undergraduate and graduate students only.
    - Appointments are bookable 14 days in advance and up to 3 hours before the appointment (if available). Only available times will be shown.
    - Please only book one appointment at a time.

  • Therapist Xiaoming Hu smiling at the camera wearing a blue button up shirt in front of a white background WEDNESDAYS 1PM-3PM WITH XIAOMING HU, LCSW

    Xiaoming Hu is a licensed clinical social worker and staff psychotherapist at UCLA CAPS. He is a certified trauma therapist and specialist in LGBTQ and Asian American mental health. He is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, brief psychodynamic therapy and trauma informed therapy using STAIR/Narrative therapy for PTSD.


    *Virtual appointments*:
    - Appointments are for current UCLA undergraduate and graduate students only.
    - Appointments are bookable 14 days in advance and up to 3 hours before the appointment (if available). Only available times will be shown.
    - Please only book one appointment at a time.

  • Therapist Colin Sutton looking at the camera resting his head on his hand WEDNESDAYS 1PM - 3PM WITH COLIN SUTTON, LCSW

    Colin Sutton (He/they) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a dual masters in Human Sexuality from the Washington, D.C. area. He enjoys working with college students, and is particularly experienced working with BIPOC and LGBTQ+ populations Using a strengths-based and integrative-lens, his goal is to create a non-judgmental space and form a collaborative relationship with students to help them address their mental health and wellness concerns.

    *In-Person drop-ins available*
    Location:
    Student Activities Center (SAC) - CPO liaison office located in Suite #105, Room 105E

  • THURSDAYS 1PM-3PM WITH KRISTI GRAHAM, PH.D.

    Dr. Kristi Graham is a CAPS staff psychologist who emphasizes a collaborative, strengths-based perspective in her work with students. Her clinical interests include working with racial minorities, cultural competence, mood and anxiety disorders, stress management, codependency, and relationship skill building. She also co-leads the Black and Bruin group at CAPS.

    Location:
    Kerckhoff Hall - Transfer Student Center
    Virtual Option Available: Please schedule by calling CAPS (310) 825-0768

Bruin Guardian Scholars

  • Clinical Coordinator Noemi Roman smiling at the camera wearing white button up shirt with a denim jacket with a body of water behind her TUESDAYS 1PM-3PM with Noemí Roman, LMFT

    Noemí is a bilingual, Licensed Marriage Family Therapist who is passionate about working with underrepresented students in higher education struggling with identity, stress, adjustments and trauma so
    that they can better understand their place in the world. In particular,
    Noemí’s specialty areas include helping families navigating the foster care system, children, adolescents and adults with depression, anxiety and trauma.

    *In-person or Virtual appointments available*:
    - Appointments are for current UCLA undergraduate and graduate students only.
    - Appointments are bookable 21 days in advance. Only available times will be shown.
    - Please only book one appointment at a time.

  • Therapist Gina Garrett wearing a blue blazer and a light blue shirt underneath smiling in front of a foliage background THURSDAYS 10AM-12PM with Gina Garrett, L.C.S.W.

    Prior to joining UCLA CAPS, Gina worked for nine years in college counseling in Miami, Florida. Her previous professional experiences include working with families, youth and a wide variety of client populations in community mental health clinics, as well as public school based mental health services and HIV/AIDS services.
    Gina's areas of professional interest include young adult identity development, exploring family patterns and complex relationships, navigating grief/loss, trauma history, challenges of living with chronic health conditions, working with students of color, women and first generation college students.

    She earned her Masters in Clinical Social Work Degree from Saint Thomas University in Saint Paul Minnesota, and her Bachelor of Science Degree in Family Social Science from the University of Minnesota. She completed two years of Post Masters clinical training in individual and group psychotherapy prior to becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

    Weeks 1 - Finals Week


    *Virtual appointments only*:
    - Appointments are for current UCLA undergraduate and graduate students only.
    - Appointments are bookable 21 days in advance. Only available times will be shown.
    - Please only book one appointment at a time.

Undocumented Students Program

  • Postdoctoral Fellow Veronica Franco smiling at the camera wearing a black shirt in front of foliage THURSDAYS 12:00 - 1:30 PM Undocuscholars In Person Drop-in Group

    Dr. Veronica Franco (she/her/ella) is a bilingual Latinx post-doctoral fellow at CAPS. She is a first-generation UC alumn. She completed her undergrad at UC Irvine, obtained her master’s from UW-Madison, and recently graduated from UC Santa Barbara with her PhD in Counseling Psychology. Her clinical work is guided through a multicultural, relational cultural, and interpersonal lens that seeks to honor, understand, and validate individual’s intersectional identities and unique life stories. At CAPS, Veronica offers individual therapy and co-leads the Graduate Students of Color Support Group. She is also part of the Undocumented Students Program and provides services for immigration-impacted students at UCLA.

    This in-person drop-in group is designed to be an as-needed support group for undocumented students. Students do not need a referral, be in treatment at CAPS, or commit to every session. This support group will provide students the opportunity to gain support, connect with community, and gain additional resources. Some of the topics and resources discussed in this group include:

    - Navigating immigration-related concerns
    - Navigating Disclosures
    - Finding Balance Amidst Competing Priorities
    - Academic Self-care
    - Dating while undocumented
    - Financial barriers
    - Activism burnout
    - Acculturative stress
    - Sociopolitical Climate


    Group location: Collegiate Recovery Program's lounge, which is located in the SAC (BRC Suite B44)
    Group will begin Week 1
    No online scheduling required

  • THURSDAYS 1PM - 2PM with Karina Ramos, Ph.D.

    Dr. Karina Ramos (she/her) is a bilingual Latinx psychologist who is passionate about working with college students including: undocumented students, BIPOC students, transfer students, LGBTQ+ students, and first-generation college students. Her professional interests include grief/loss, adjustment concerns, identity development, relationship issues, anxiety, and depression. She has over ten years of experience working with undocumented students and people from mixed-status families. Dr. Ramos uses a strength-based humanistic approach, which aims to foster resiliency and increase support.

    Location: BRC B52 in Student Activities Center

  • Therapist Yadira Anguiano smiling at the camera wearing a white shirt in front of a white background THURSDAYS 2PM - 3PM with Yadira Anguiano, Psy.D.

    Dr. Yadira Anguiano (she/her/ella) is a bilingual psychologist (English & Spanish) who identifies as Chicana and a first-generation college student. Using a strength-based and decolonial framework, Yadira works with students to explore and strengthen their own inner wisdom and resources and create an inclusive space of healing and empowerment.

    Location: BRC B52 in Student Activities Center

International Students and Scholars

  • Therapist Shannen Vong wearing a black shirt smiling at the camera with green foliage in the background TUESDAYS 10AM - 12PM with Shannen Vong, Ph.D.

    Shannen Vong, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist who provides mental health services to International students, Asian American students, graduate students and professional students at the Behavioral Wellness Center satellite at the UCLA Counseling & Psychological Services. As a first-generation, Asian American therapist, Dr. Vong understands the unique pressures that Asian American and International students endure while trying to navigate a large, public institution. Dr. Vong's approach to counseling focuses on personal wellness and resiliency, with an emphasis on helping students identify and gain skills for coping more effectively with life's challenges. Dr. Vong co-leads one of the Affective Disorder Groups (Breaking Free from Anxiety) and the Asian American Community Support Group.

    *Virtual appointments*:
    - Appointments are for current UCLA undergraduate and graduate students only.
    - Appointments are bookable 14 days in advance and up to 3 hours before the appointment (if available). Only available times will be shown.
    - Please only book one appointment at a time.

  • Therapist Xiaoming Hu smiling at the camera wearing a blue button up shirt in front of a white background WEDNESDAYS 1PM - 3PM WITH XIAOMING HU, LCSW

    Xiaoming Hu is a licensed clinical social worker and staff psychotherapist at UCLA CAPS. He is a certified trauma therapist and specialist in LGBTQ and Asian American mental health. He is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, brief psychodynamic therapy and trauma informed therapy using STAIR/Narrative therapy for PTSD.


    *Virtual appointments*:
    - Appointments are for current UCLA undergraduate and graduate students only.
    - Appointments are bookable 14 days in advance and up to 3 hours before the appointment (if available). Only available times will be shown.
    - Please only book one appointment at a time.

Drop-ins for Muslim Students

  • Postdoctoral Fellow Maryam Saleem smiling at the camera wearing a black hijab and black long sleeve shirt FRIDAYS 11:00AM - 1:00 PM WITH MARYAM SALEEM, PSY.D.

    Dr. Maryam Saleem is a postdoctoral fellow at UCLA CAPS, who practices from a relational, multicultural and humanistic orientation to create a safe and collaborative space. She is passionate about working with Muslims students, international students, South Asian and Middle Eastern students. Her clinical interests include working with intergenerational trauma, anxiety disorders, religion/spirituality, identity development, and relationship and family concerns.

  • Postdoctoral Fellow Maleeha Naqvi wearing a striped colorful sweater smiling at the camera FRIDAYS 11:00AM - 1:00 PM WITH MALEEHA NAQVI, PSY.D.

    Maleeha Naqvi (she/her) is a clinical psychologist. She identifies as cis-gender, Muslim, South Asian, able-bodied and Pakistani. Dr. Naqvi’s focuses on supporting her clients in exploring their experiences in order to continue making life choices that align with their values. Dr. Naqvi’s working style is relational, compassionate, humanistic and honest. Dr. Naqvi is passionate about working with all individuals with a specific interest BIPOC individuals and women. Her work focuses on affirming client experiences and identities and supporting them in navigating the world given their unique, intersecting experiences.