Mental Health at Chico State

Welcome to the WellCat Counseling Center. We are excited you are here! During the summer, the Wellcat Counseling Center will be providing individual and group counseling via Zoom and phone for Chico State students. Please bear in mind that we have reduced staffing during the summer (about half the staff members we have during the academic year). We will work diligently to schedule Zoom sessions as quickly as feasible.

If you are in crisis, you can immediately access a counselor via phone. Simply call the Counseling Center at (530) 898-6345 and follow the menu prompts to speak with a counselor. Protocol will communicate with counselors regarding any calls and need for follow-up care.

Students interested in scheduling an initial appointment are encouraged to call the counseling center at 530-898-6345 and leave a message stating their name, student number, and contact information. One of our staff members will follow up with you to schedule an appointment and discuss paperwork.

We have several groups open for summer. If you are interested in any of the groups, email the group leader directly to inquire about participation. Students can participate in more than one group.

Recovery Skills

Mondays 1-2:30 facilitated by Angie Hensley MFT

This is a support group for students who are wanting to develop alternatives to substance use and other unhealthy coping over the summer. You do not need to make a commitment to sobriety, just a desire to practice other methods of stress reduction and self-regulation.  Interested? Contact Angie Hensley, MFT at ahensley@csuchico.edu

Self Care for Anxiety and Stress

Wednesdays 3-4:30 facilitated by Angie Hensley MFT

Thursdays 3-4:30 Starting July 9th facilitated by Angie Hensley MFT 

This is a group for students looking to learn self-care practices, cultivate mindfulness and self-compassion, gain tools to reduce overwhelm, stress and deal with anxiety. Interested? Contact Angie Hensley, MFT at ahensley@csuchico.edu

Cultivating Happiness

Tuesdays 12:00-1:30 facilitated by Courtney Chambless, Ph.D.

This group varies from other groups that primarily focus on coping. Instead, this group will explore concepts from positive psychology and exercises for establishing a more meaningful life. Interested? Contact Courtney Chambless, Ph.D. at cchambless@csuchico.edu

Coping with the Unknown

Wednesdays 12:00-1:30 (3 week series starting approximately June 17).

These are unprecedented times and we are facing uncertainty across all areas of our lives. This group will focus on the difficulties of living with the unknown and strategies for managing emotions resulting from this stress.  Interested? Contact Courtney Chambless, Ph.D. at cchambless@csuchico.edu

Desperately Seeking Sleep

(One-time workshop, Wednesday, June 10, 3:30-5:00)

Not sleeping sucks. This workshop will focus on strategies for creating a comfortable sleeping environment, dealing with those pesky worry thoughts that come out to play at night, and what to do when all these sleep strategies fail you. Interested? Contact Courtney Chambless, Ph.D. at cchambless@csuchico.edu

Queer Journeys

Thursdays 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. facilitated by Stephanie Chervinko, Ph.D.

Queer Journeys is intended provide a safe and affirming space for LGBTQIA+ identified students to get support around the unique experiences related to being a member of this community. The group welcomes students at all levels of sexual and/or gender identity development. Interested? Contact Stephanie Chervinko, Ph.D. at schervinko@csuchico.edu

Mental Health Crisis Care Call:

• 911 in a life threatening emergency or go directly to the nearest emergency room
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
• ProtoCall crisis line 530-898-6345 and press 2 to speak to a counselor.
• Butte County Behavioral Health (Chico area) 1-800-334-6622 or 530-891-2810.

Non-Crisis Appointments:

Initial appointments: First time clients for the Counseling Center may call 530-898-6345 (press 1) and leave a message.  We will contact you to schedule an appointment to speak with a counselor. 
Continuing treatment appointments: If you’re continuing your regular therapy sessions, your therapist will contact you with instructions about how to connect remotely. You can also call 530-898-6345 (press 1) and leave a message for your counselor to give you a call back.
Referrals to local providers: If you need help connecting with a therapist in your area check out

• Community Psychiatry
• Psychology Today

Online Care and Self-Help Options:

• Self Care and Wellness Podcasts
• Online Yoga
• Self-Compassion Meditations
• Mindfulness Meditations

Behavioral Health During a Pandemic:

• Psychological Implications of Social Distancing
• Resources from the APA to Help Manage Anxiety and Change due to Coronavirus
• Coronavirus and Mental Wellbeing
• Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
• Taking Care of your Behavioral Health
• Active Minds Resources