Emmons’ mental health services include short-term individual therapy, group therapy, drop-in chats, crisis support, links to off-campus providers, virtual psychiatry and dietitian services, access to a 24/7 confidential mental health helpline, education and outreach.
Please note, Emmons Counseling uses a brief therapy model, meaning that we provide short-term therapy focused on helping students to resolve or effectively manage a specific problem or challenge. We do not provide long term, ongoing therapy, but can help students get connected to longer term therapeutic support in the community when needed.
Schedule a Counseling Appointment
Call us at (323) 259-2657 or email us at emmons@oxy.edu
Emmons Counseling Hours
Monday 9:00-12:00 pm, 1:00-4:00 pm
Tuesday 9:00-12:00 pm, 1:00-4:00 pm
Wednesday 9:00-11:00 am, 1:00-4:00 pm
Thursday 9:00-12:00 pm, 1:00-4:00 pm
Friday 9:00-12:00 pm, 1:00-4:00 pm
Walk-in Counseling Hours
Monday - Friday 1:00-3:00pm
We are closed for lunch everyday from 12:00-1:00 pm and closed every Wednesday for a staff meeting from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. While Emmons is open until 5:00 pm, the last appointments and walk-ins we can accept are at 4:00 pm.
Emmons’ counseling staff is committed to supporting the mental health needs of Oxy students. All of Emmons’ therapists have training in trauma informed care and bring a variety of professional expertise. All of our services are free of charge, regardless of insurance provider (except for psychiatry, as listed below). Our services are provided both in-person and virtual, based on student preference and provider availability.
To get connected to any of the confidential services at Emmons, you can call (323) 259-2657 or email us at emmons@oxy.edu.
Our psychiatric nurse practitioner Heidi Aguilar provides virtual services to students, and is supervised by psychiatrist Dr. Paul Kurkjian. Students with the student health insurance plan have no additional costs; the fee for all other students is $75 for the initial appointment and $35 for follow ups. Established patients may schedule directly with the psychiatric nurse practitioner; all other students must first meet with an Emmons medical provider or counselor.
Melissa Ireland, RD is available for virtual appointment on Wednesdays from 9am - 12:30pm. If you have questions or concerns about any nutrition issue, please contact emmons@oxy.edu to set up an appointment. Topics may include balancing a vegetarian diet, disordered eating patterns, food intolerance or allergies, or health issues, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, or anemia.
The 24/7 confidential helpline provides robust support for students experiencing mental health crises, emotional distress, trauma, or substance use issues. This 24/7 line is staffed by mental health professionals, and is available to all Oxy students at (323) 341-4141.
Spring 2024 Drop-In Chat Spaces
What’s the Word, Hummingbird?
Tuesdays / 2-4 pm / Located in the ICC
Drop-in, informal counseling with a licensed therapist, centering the experiences of BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and first gen students, though all students are welcome to participate.
Contact Claudia Ortega at cortega3@oxy.edu
Black Voices
Wednesdays / 3:15 - 5:15 pm / Located at the ICC
We understand that black people need and value individualized supportive space that is away from mainstream stereotypes and judgment. Black Voices serves as an informal space that offers black students individualized support, attention, advice, or connection. Our facilitator of Black Voices is Larissa, an African American professional therapist, who affirms that students can talk about any and everything under the sun. Drop in upstairs in the ICC!
Contact Larissa Lucas at llucas@oxy.edu
Between the Lines
Thursdays / 1:15–3:30 pm / Located in the Dance Studio
Free and confidential one-on-one drop-in sessions for Oxy varsity student-athletes. Whatever you are experiencing on or off the field, drop in sessions are a safe space to take a time out and meet with a counselor.
Contact Alejandro Aguirre at aguirrea@oxy.edu
First-Time Tigers
Thursdays / 12:30 - 2:00pm / Located at Obama Lounge
Missing home? Having trouble meeting new people? Stressed out by classes? Acclimating to college can feel overwhelming, but you are not alone! First-Time Tigers is a free and confidential drop-in space with a licensed therapist, and is open to all first-year and transfer students.
Contact Tyler Carter at tcarter2@oxy.edu
Peace It Together
Fridays / 3:00–4:00 pm / Located at the ICC
Drop In for a free, confidential and safe space for Black men on campus to connect, share, and learn new ways of putting and keeping it together...and what to do when it all falls apart.
Contact Eric Robinson at erobinson2@oxy.edu
Fall 2024 Groups
Power Over Substance
Mondays / 12-1pm / Located at Emmons
Weekly topics designed to help students regain power over their substance use. Open and nonjudgmental space; no RSVP required.
Contact Tyler Carter at tcarter2@oxy.edu
Take Care Tuesdays
Tuesdays / starting February 13 / 12-1pm / Located at the ICC
Join Claudia every other Tuesday at the ICC for a workshop series about self-care and mental health. Topics include self-love and compassion, mindfulness, gratitude, communication skills, and cultural themes centered around empowerment. Dates include 2/13, 2/27, 3/12, 3/26, 4/9, and 4/23.
To join, contact Claudia Ortega at cortega3@oxy.edu by September 25th.
Do you want longer-term therapy, weekly sessions, and/or sessions over school breaks? Do you want to see a therapist with a certain specialty or identity? There are many reasons to connect to off-campus therapy. Visit our Connecting to Off-Campus Therapy page to start.