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Mental Health Services

How Can We Help?

FOR IMMEDIATE SUPPORT CALL:

  • 911
  • 988 National Mental Health Crisis line
  • Alameda County Crisis Support Hotline: 1-800-309-2131
  • or go to the nearest emergency room

GROUPS and EVENTS

Community Support Group 

EVERY OTHER TUESDAY FROM 12-1:30pm in A140, March 19-April 30

Join other students and staff in building community and exploring mental health topics. This event is open to all Laney community members and will be facilitated by Laney’s Mental Health and APASS Counselors.   Light lunch provided. Please RSVP or contact squach@peralta.edu for more info.

Emotional Balance Group 

WEDNESDAYS IN APRIL (April 3, 10, 17, 24) from 11:30-1pm A140 

Join Laney Mental Health Team in understanding how and where emotions work, and how we can use them to improve our mental health.  Light lunch provided and $50 bookstore gift card upon completion of all 4 sessions!

Contact Linda Bui at linda.bui@peralta.edu for more info and to RSVP for lunch.


MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES (T-250):

Drop-in Navigation Support – Stop in for a cup of tea or to get connected to community mental health resources from our Student Mental Health Navigators at the Wellness Center in the Tower, T-250, Monday – Friday 10-3pm, or call 510-464-3332.

Short-Term, Individual Therapy – Currently enrolled students can receive up to 8 sessions of confidential, free therapy with one of our therapists or therapists in training, depending on availability and scheduling.

MARCH 11, 2024 – WE ARE EXPERIENCING HIGH DEMAND FOR SERVICES, PLEASE EXPECT A 3 WEEK DELAY IN STARTING MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES. IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCY, PLEASE CALL 988 FOR SUPPORT 24/7. 

Complete the form HERE or below to begin. 

Mental Health Consultation -Have a mental health question?  Staff and students can schedule a 20 minute consultation with the Mental Health Specialist using this Booking Link.


 


MEET THE MENTAL HEALTH TEAM

COORDINATORS

Susan Yee, LCSW, Laney Mental Health Specialist (she/her)

This semester, I am happy to offer students EMDR therapy, a mind/body technique for that can help heal trauma and other mental health concerns, in addition to other therapy modalities. I’m a second generation Chinese American, Oakland native/OUSD grad, I am passionate about the integration of physical and mental health. I also believe in the power of community and connection to help us heal.  I’ve been a teacher, manager, social worker and therapist in Oakland for almost 30 years and am grateful to all the students and colleagues I have learned from along the way.  I now coordinate the Laney mental health services, provide consultations, individual therapy, groups and workshops, and work closely with our student navigation team.  You can listen to me talk with Laney President Besikoff about mental health on the President’s Podcast!

Danielle Burroughs, Student Support Specialist (she/her)

“Let your light be your shield.” I truly believe we are all special with much to offer, no matter our circumstances. With this belief, I extended my knowledge on how to help people navigate through the challenges of life and became a certified NLP Success/Life Coach in 2018. My journey with helping people find their light began in 2010, where I specialized in helping young students and peers through mentorship and tutoring. I moved on to become a hair stylist and quickly found my passion through mentor-coaching new hair artists and students, instilling the belief that skillset must meet mindset for success. That is true for everyone, no matter what unique skills you possess. I grew up in the heart of New York City and have been submerged with so many people of different backgrounds, challenges, and successes. Go Yankees! I moved to the Bay Area in early 2022 and am in love! I am here to support you the best way I can. You got this!

 

 


MENTAL HEALTH TRAINEES

Alicia Mandac, Associate Clinical Social Worker (she, her)
I have 15+ years of experience providing academic counseling, mentorship, and coaching at colleges and universities. I am passionate about helping nurture personal growth by providing a compassionate space for people to feel seen and heard. As a therapist, I work in collaboration with the client to discover their own path towards healing and transformation. My approach is informed by mindfulness, acceptance, and trauma-informed therapy. I earned a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan and I am working towards a License in Clinical Social Work. 

 

Branden Valentine, MSW Graduate Intern, University of Massachusetts Global (he, him)

My name is Branden Valentine, I am from Oakland, California. As a barber I have been an informal therapist for the last 11 years, in 2021 I decided to take my passion for helping others a step further and start the journey of getting my MSW (master’s in social work). I am committed to helping all my clients reach their goals. When partnering with someone to improve their mental health I believe the client is the expert in knowing which direction is the best. My goal is to create a safe space for everyone to healMy approach is based on mindfulness, anti-racist, and anti-oppression theories. I love musicals, video games and cooking. Outside of being a therapist my life goal is to become a food writer or publish a food travel book.  

 

Cassandra Milspaugh, MFT Graduate Intern, University of San Francisco (she/her/ella)

I am a Laney College alum who believes in this college and the students here. I am a therapist in training finishing my master’s in counseling psychology. I have worked as a teacher, tutor and mentor for students and with folks in recovery from childhood adversity and trauma. I am also trained as a cultivating emotional balance teacher. I approach healing through a holistic lens and believe that healing and wellness happen on all levels physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and mental. In my life and therapy practice I value humility, curiosity, self-reflection, humor, presence and meeting each person where they are. I feel honored to be working with students at Laney this year. Hablo español. Soy terapeuta en formación, terminando mi maestría en psicología clínica. Es un honor poder trabajar con l@s estudiantes en Laney este año.

 

Linda Bui, MSW Graduate Intern, California State University, East Bay (she/her)

Hello, I am from Oakland, CA. I attended Peralta community colleges and obtained associate degrees in Humanities, Social Science, and Early Childhood Development. Presently I am working on my Masters in Social Work. I have been in the mental health field for over a decade and I continue to be a student in order to adjust and accommodate the needs of the communities I serve. Places that brings me peace is the sand and the beaches. My family gives me energy to continue to advocate for mental health awareness and social justice. Tôi hiểu tiếng Việt nhưng tôi không nói được nhiều.


 

 

STUDENT WELLNESS AMBASSADORS / MENTAL HEALTH NAVIGATORS

Kyla Kelley

Originally from San Jose, I came to Oakland in 2010 and fell in love with this ‘town’. Oakland is where my healing journey began. While earning my B.A. here in Gender, Sexuality, and Ethnic Studies, I started to have daily panic attacks and decided to seek out a new way of living. I now have over a decade of experience in mental wellness and addiction recovery. I am attending Laney with the hopes of becoming a therapist so I can support others with similar struggles. I like tarot cards, plants, art, and dreaming of a world where physical and emotional safety, wellness, and connection are available to everyone.

 

Randi Cross

 


GRADUATE TRAINEES interested in a field placement at Laney can learn more and find out more about our amazing Peralta Mental Health Training Institute HERE.

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FANTASTIC COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Download Resource sheet (PDF): Mental Health Resources

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DIY Mental Health Resources:

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