Director's Corner: Frances Diaz, Psy.D.

Frances Diaz, Psy.D.

Dear UCI Students and Community,

The Counseling Center stands with and extends empathy to our students, staff, faculty, and entire UCI Community who are directly and indirectly impacted by the anti-black racism that continues to plague our country.  The recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery are just a few of the many lives that have been lost to oppression and violence towards communities of color.   Our communities are hurting.  Know that we see you, we support you, and we are here for you. The profound psychological impact of these current events, on top of the many losses people are experiencing from COVID-19, are REAL and can weigh on us. 

The Counseling Center is guided by the values of Service, Community, Inclusion & Advocacy, and Integrity & Accountability. We, as a UCI community, must not become numb to the longstanding experiences of systemic oppressions that have come to a culmination in the current times. We must recognize the grief, pain, sadness, despair, anger, exhaustion, and full range of emotions that are being experienced before true healing can begin.   It is our hope that the UCI Anteater community can come together in support of those who are suffering. Please take care of yourselves and reach out to take care of one another, as the healing power within our community is great.  Please also know that the UCI Counseling Center is here to support you.

Sending Support!

UCI Counseling Center Staff 

 

During regular business hours (Monday through Friday 8am-5pm) in order to schedule routine appointments and for all other inquiries:

  • Please Call (949) 824-6457 to speak to a front office staff member about scheduling an appointment, to learn more about our current services, or if you trying to reach one of our mental health professionals.
    • Please note that if someone from our office has to return a phone call that it will come from a blocked number
    • In case we do not reach you, please ensure you have set up your voice mail and that you regularly check your messages

For Life Threatening Emergencies or for Urgent Care needs 24/7:

  • Call (949) 824-6457 and select Option # 2. You will be transferred to a crisis support line
  • Text “Home” to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line
  • Call National Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273-8255
  • Call UCI Campus Police at (949) 824-5223
  • Call 911
  • Go to your nearest Emergency Room

Help With Off-Campus Referrals:

If you are seeking off-campus referrals in Irvine or in your hometown, feel free to leave a message for one of the Counseling Center Clinical Social Workers.  Calls will be returned during regular business hours in the order they are received to further discuss your referral needs:

  • HEATHER SCHMIDT, LCSW at 949-568-9148 (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm)
  • ILANA ROSENBERG, LCSW at 949-664-4250 (Tue/Fri 8am-5pm;Thu 9am-1pm)

**For urgent matters or routine Counseling Center appointments please follow the instructions above and contact the Center directly**

Frances Diaz- UCI Counseling Center Director 

Mind Your ZOT!

Summer Time Planning!

Summer is a great time to reflect on all the things you have done and learned along the way, and to also consider what areas you would like to grow into as you transition into the next academic year.

Take time to reflect, and perhaps even journal out your thoughts:

  • Start from a place of strengths: What are the characteristics within you that have helped you cope with stressful situations thus far? What are some of the accomplishments that make you feel proud and confident? What did you learn about yourself when getting through tough times? What strengths did you develop as a result of the challenges you faced?
  • Identify your interests: What have you learned so far that excites you? What are you interested in learning more about? If you had all the time in the world, what would you choose to do?
  • Areas you want to improve: As you reflect on your experiences, could certain aspects have been better? What are some things you can do differently next time when you face similar situations?
  • Develop your goals and intentions with your strengths, interests, and areas of improvement in mind. Don’t be afraid to break your goals into smaller manageable milestones and be sure to reward yourself when you meet them!

As work on your goals, remember to utilize your strengths, particularly when facing challenges, and reach out for support when needed!

  

For more informatoin on how to manage stress related to the COVID-19 outbreak, please click here. 

Additional Resources: