Mental Health (In-Person/Virtual)

Alann D. Dingle, Ph.D. 

Dr. Dingle is a licensed psychologist who has been in clinical practice since 1989. She has been on the staff of the Health Center since 2013. 

 

La Faune Gordon, Ph.D.

Dr. Gordon received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 1993 and a masters of science in clinical psychopharmacology in 2001. Her areas of specialty and interest are providing therapeutic intervention to young children, adults, and families who have experienced trauma.

 

Victoria Kwon, Ph.D.

Dr. Kwon earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2010 and completed her postdoctoral in college mental health at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2012. She has been working with undergraduate and graduate students by teaching in the classroom and providing psychological services in campus health centers since 2006. She is the Director of Clinical Training for the Psychology Practicum that trains highly qualified doctoral students in college counseling. Her areas of clinical interest/specialty include relationships, diversity and inclusion, and grief and loss, and training.

 

Vianey Midgette, Ph.D.

Dr. Vianey Midgette received her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2008. She completed her MA at Humboldt State University and her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Irvine in psychology. Dr. Midgette is an El Camino College alumna who has training in multiple settings, including community mental health clinics, psychiatric hospitals, student counseling centers, and private practice. Dr. Midgette specializes in trauma, relationships, family dynamics, depression, anxiety, anger management and daily stressors. She works extensively with diverse clientele and is sensitive to diversity and multiculturalism.

 

Maria Nazarian, Ph.D.

Dr. Nazarian is passionate about teaching students relevant coping strategies to help them better manage their symptoms of anxiety and depression. Her goal is to help students develop a strong foundation in self-compassion, stress management, time management, and other skills that can be useful throughout their lives, including setting healthier boundaries in their relationships.

 

Kenneth Spears, Psy.D.

Dr. Spears earned his Psy.D. in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology (Alliant International University). A former middle and high school teacher and counselor, a significant amount of his clinical work has focused on improving the lives of adolescents and young adults struggling with anxiety, depression, self-criticism and poor anger management.  Dr. Spears’ clinical interests/specialties also include issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity, men’s issues, race-based trauma, and working with the formerly incarcerated.

 

Robert Trujillo, Ph.D

Dr. Robert Trujillo completed his doctoral work at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where one of his primary internships was completed at the Michigan Student Counseling Center. He has functioned in many roles as a licensed psychologist including: Clinical Psychologist, Consultant to the Public Schools in Los Angeles County, Consultant to the Superior Court in Los Angeles County, Administrator of several community mental health programs, and as a Clinician in Private Practice. Dr. Trujillo has always loved working with young adults pursuing their academic and career aspirations. 

 

Current Trainees:

 

Kasin Lau, M.A.

Kasin Lau holds a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in microbiology from Cal Poly Pomona and a master's degree in clinical psychology from The Chicago School. She is currently a 4th-year doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School. Kasin has experience as a clinician working with students from elementary to university levels on emotional regulation, grief, social skills, and psychological assessments. Additionally, she has worked as a registered behavior technician, assisting children with autism in skill acquisition and behavior reduction.

 

Stephanie Laurey, M.A.

Stephanie is a doctoral student in clinical psychology at Pepperdine University. Her clinical training experiences have focused on trauma, substance use, serious mental illness, autism, and ADHD. Before changing careers, she worked with young adults and non-traditional students as a community college English instructor. 

 

Student Health Services offers the following psychological services for currently enrolled ECC students who have paid their health fee for the current term and are currently attending a for-credit class. 

• Short-Term Individual Therapy – Counseling for a concern for which you would like help.
• Consultation – Counseling if you are helping someone else who has a concern and would like support and/or guidance as you do so.
• Referrals – Assistance with referrals when you have a concern that requires a specialist or would benefit from longer-term counseling.
• Crisis Assessment – Immediate assistance if you are in an acute crisis such as considering harming yourself or others or experiencing hallucinations
• Workshops/Presentations – Workshops about everyday psychological topics (e.g., stress management, healthy relationships) in a casual, discussion-based setting

 

Therapy is a confidential relationship with a professional who works with you to understand your current situation and who joins with you to establish and reach your goals.

This therapeutic counseling entails sharing your thoughts and feelings with a nonjudgmental, objective listener who works with you to clarify and organize your thoughts, consider new angles, discuss the pros and cons of different options, and create a plan for your progress.

It is NOT a person telling you what to do, but instead, it is a joint endeavor of discussion, exploration, and striving for your best self.

 

Students are encouraged to discuss any problems or issues that are causing them emotional distress or interfering with their lives in some way.

Frequent topics include school difficulties, relationships with a partner or family, and feelings of anxiety or depression. Problems can involve feelings or events in the present and/or feelings or events from the past.

 

Student Health Services offers short-term counseling limited to six sessions each academic year (e.g., August 2020 – August 2021). Some students may use one, a few, or all six sessions depending on their current concern.

If students wish to engage in longer-term counseling immediately or if students need help accessing ongoing counseling after the six sessions, the psychologist will provide referrals in the community or guidance in accessing services through their insurance.

 

The short answer is “no.” The staff at Student Health Services do not disclose that you have come to see a psychologist unless you provide a written/verbal request and authorization for us to do so.

However, there are exceptions to this confidentiality that pertain to life-threatening emergencies and abuse as required by law. For example, if you tell the psychologist that you intend to seriously harm yourself or someone else, or that you or someone you know is abusing a child, a disabled person or an elderly individual, the psychologist must act to protect your safety and the safety of others.

In addition, in very rare cases, if you are involved in a legal case and a judge subpoenas your records, the Student Health Center may be required to release them to the court.

 

Please call or visit the health center to schedule your initial mental health appointment.

During the first meeting with the psychologist, you will have the opportunity to share the concerns that prompted you to schedule the appointment. There is usually, although not always, an event that occurs that contributes to the decision to see someone professionally. However, there may not always be a triggering event but an accumulation of issues that you have finally decided to talk about and try to figure out how to manage. The psychologist will ask about the issues that have piled up, some history, questions about safety, and sometimes about family, friends, and classes.

It is important to keep in mind that you do not have to answer any questions that make you uncomfortable. You can also ask the psychologist questions in the first session or during future sessions. Goals for treatment and a summary of your concerns will be discussed.

 

Your psychologist will be one of the seven licensed psychologists on staff at Student Health Services. Each is seasoned in the field of clinical psychology and has vast experience in working with culturally diverse adolescents and adults.

 

Students receiving mental health services are not prescribed psychotropic or any type of medication by our staff.  However, if there is a need, the psychologist may consult with medical staff and/or assist in linking the student to a psychiatrist in the student's community or from a referral list of providers.

 

While it is common to feel apprehensive or nervous about seeking counseling, doing so is actually a sign of strength. 

Sometimes students feel vulnerable or fear being judged. Students often believe that their problems are too serious, too trivial, or too embarrassing to talk about with a stranger. Counseling helps students better understand their thoughts and feelings as well as clarify their choices.

 

All services at Student Health Services are included in the student health fee that students pay at the beginning of each semester.

The short-term counseling we provide (six sessions each academic year; e.g., August 2020 – August 2021) is available at no further cost to currently enrolled students who are taking a for-credit class and have paid the health fee.

 

• Access information on Crisis Resources 
• Utilize the following hotlines
• Suicide Prevention Lifeline:1-800-273-8255
• Community Helpline: 1-877-541-2525 (crisis and referral hotline)
• Warmline: 1-855-952-9276 (emotional support and resources hotline)
• Domestic Sexual Assault and Crisis Resource: 1-310-392-8381
• Call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room
• Call the Access Center: 1-800-273-8255
• Call or visit El Camino's Campus Police 1-310-660-3100

 

Yes, you may request an intake with a particular psychologist. 

However, please be aware that availability may be limited, so you may be given the option to wait for an opening or see another psychologist sooner.