Southern California Counseling Center

Here’s another reminder that our Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Group is hosting its virtual groups this September. Once again, the spaces are limited, so act fast! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. Let’s break this cycle of abuse together!

Workplace wellbeing matters, it matters because it results in better performance, stronger relationships, lower burnout, better coping abilities, and overall quality of life. Workplace wellbeing also contributes to better physical health, longer life expectancy, and stronger immune systems.
Workplace Wellbeing Workshops

Customized wellbeing workshops can include spotting strengths, identifying and communicating needs, engaging in (not avoiding) difficult conversations, working with and through emotions, developing productive habits, self-compassion, self-care, and relationship building.
Wellbeing workshops address burnout prevention and techniques for supporting wellbeing, stress management, work-life balance, enhancing interpersonal relationships, acceptance, self-compassion, and developing productive habits.

Our workshops operate at the intersection of theory and practice, with a goal of providing accessible and implementable tools for participants to integrate into participants’ personal and professional lives.

Another reminder that our Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Group is hosting its virtual groups this September. The spaces are limited, so act fast! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. Let’s break this cycle of abuse together!

It’s that time of year again! For nearly nine years, we’ve come together to support the incredible youth of Watts, Willowbrook, Compton, and South LA. Our community’s spirit of giving always shines through! Check out the flyer for donation details. If you’re local, drop off your contributions at the Pico or Watts centers. This year, we’re teaming up with CleanSlate-la.org to ensure every child has a new backpack. Both CleanSlate and SCCC will be making generous monetary contributions to make this possible. Let’s make this year the best one yet!

We would like to invite you to our Homecoming event, which will take place on Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 10 AM to 2 PM. Join us at the Center (5615 W Pico Blvd.) for a day of joy and reconnection. We can’t wait to see you there!

RSVP here: https://forms.gle/xECLLZrJwiGG1Y4C7

At the Southern California Counseling Center, we believe in the power of community and support. As we conclude this series for Mental Health Awareness Month, remember that every conversation counts. Life can be joyful but also overwhelming. If you are not feeling like yourself, it’s okay to seek help. Your mental health matters, and we are here to help you every step of the way. Reach out to us and prioritize your well-being. Thank you for supporting Mental Health Awareness Month and helping us make a difference.

Mental health is a journey best traveled together. At Southern California Counseling Center, we believe in the power of conversations to foster understanding, support, and healing. Life can be joyful but also overwhelming. If you are not feeling like yourself, it’s okay to seek help. We should come together to prioritize mental wellness and ensure that every voice is heard and valued. As part of Mental Health Awareness, we encourage you to reach out and learn more about our services and how we can support your mental health journey.

Mental health is a fundamental aspect of our overall well-being, and everyone deserves access to support and care. We believe that no one should face their mental health challenges alone. Our mission is to provide accessible, compassionate, and personalized mental health services to all who need it. Your mental health is our priority, and we are dedicated to being there for you every step of the way. Reach out to us at 323-937-1344 or visit sccc-la.org. Let’s break the stigma and support each other this Mental Health Awareness Month.

Mental health support should be available to everyone when they need it most. At the Southern California Counseling Center, we are committed to providing inclusive and accessible mental health services to our communities. Our mission is to create a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and heard. We understand that mental health is a critical aspect of overall well-being, and we are here to ensure that you receive the compassionate care you deserve. Your mental health is our priority, and we are dedicated to being there for you every step of the way. Let’s come together to highlight the importance of mental health and support each other during Mental Health Awareness Month.

Mental health is for everyone, and everyone deserves mental health support when they need it. At the Southern California Counseling Center, we are dedicated to providing accessible mental health services to our community. Together, we can make a difference.

At the Southern California Counseling Center, we recognize the critical role each family member plays in supporting one another’s mental health. It’s more than just being there; it’s about actively engaging in compassionate conversations, recognizing signs of distress, and providing unconditional support. Your involvement can make a significant difference, turning challenges into opportunities for growth and healing. Embrace your role—be the pillar of support that fosters a loving and resilient family environment.

Engage in meaningful discussions - it’s key to nurturing mental well-being. Initiate conversations about mental health with your children and teens. Need some tips on how to begin? Visit samhsa.gov/mental-health/how-to-talk/parents-and-caregivers. Discover more resources at the Southern California Counseling Center.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s emphasize the power of engagement in our well-being. Whether it’s nurturing connections, joining social groups, or embracing physical activities like yoga or dancing—every step matters. Staying mentally sharp with brain teasers or new hobbies keeps us vibrant. And remember, help is just a conversation away. For more resources, visit samhsa.gov/resources-serving-older-adults. Let’s care for our mental health together. 🌿

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Let’s embrace our mental wellbeing and talk about it. From our youngest minds to our wisest, everyone’s mental health is crucial at every stage of life. Remember, you’re not alone—let’s support each other in nurturing our mental health! 💚💚

This year’s Spring Bash was a resounding success!

We gathered to celebrate, support, and honor the remarkable efforts of those dedicated to advancing mental health.

Each smile, each story, and each contribution has touched lives and highlighted the importance of community and care.

Congratulations to our honorees, and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who made this night unforgettable. Together, we are stronger and are always looking to make a real difference.

Time is running out — 24 hours left to secure your spot! Visit sccc-la.org/springbash to reserve your tickets today and be part of the celebration.

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Our spectacular spring bash is fast approaching, and tickets are going rapidly. Make sure you don’t miss out on the festivities - buy your tickets now at sccc-la.org/springbash and guarantee yourself a memorable night out!

We are pleased to honor Richard Rosen and excited to remind you about the upcoming Spring Bash for SCCC on April 27th. The Spring Bash is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and also pay tribute to Richard Rosen, who has been an essential and inspiring figure at the Center. We would like you to know that Richard has always been wholeheartedly dedicated to the Center, offering invaluable guidance and support to our counselors and clients. His unique rapport with many of us, grounded in a shared passion, has left a lasting impact.

The Spring Bash is also a perfect time to reconnect with each other, catch up with others, and share our stories. We are looking forward to seeing you there. It really wouldn’t be the same without your presence. For more details please visit: sccc-la.org/springbash.

Only two weeks left to our spring bash, tickets are going fast. Don’t be left out! Buy your tickets now at sccc-la.org/springbash

Share your journey to help others heal. Become a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist and guide people through mental health and substance recovery.

Make sure to take a look at www.sccc-la.org/peer-support-specialist-certification.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW! We can’t wait to see you at our Spring Bash, which promises to be an evening full of fun and celebration. Please visit http://sccc-la.org/springbash

Empower others on their healing journey by sharing your own experiences. Embark on a fulfilling path by training as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist and guide those facing similar mental health and substance use challenges.

Why should you join the Pacific Wellness Collective? The main goal of the Collective is to propel your career in mental health with resources that include top-tier clinical supervision, EMDR training, and marketing and networking guidance.

Its program offers a transformative path to licensure, blending educational requirements with paid experience for a comprehensive growth journey. The Collective is a great opportunity for aspiring mental health professionals ready to deepen their impact and expand their practice.

Featuring Christina Fazio, our passionate Front Desk Coordinator: Christina grew up in the Los Angeles area and studied Psychology at Loyola Marymount University. After spending some time working as a crisis counselor at Didi Hirsch Su***de Prevention Center, they decided to pursue a degree in marital family therapy. She is receiving a M.S in Marriage/Family Therapy at USC Rossier School of Education and works as an Outreach & Prevention Graduate Assistant at USC Counseling and Mental Health Services. When not at USC, Christina also works at SCCC as a counselor for both Pico & Watts and is one of the front desk coordinators! In their free time, Christina enjoys exploring local bookstores and coffee shops in the area as well as catching up on the most recent Drag Race!

This week, we would like to feature Ben Hall: Drawn by the opportunity to work with diverse populations, Ben Hall, LMFT, joined the Southern California Counseling Center as a trainee in 2016. Upon connecting with Marianne Diaz, he realized that SCCC is the place to be for learning and contributing to a social-justice re-imagining of community care. He feels fortunate to have been a part of this labor ever since.

Ben studied music and dance at UCLA, then became a music educator offering social-emotional learning through music and movement groups in schools. After earning an MA in psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, he went on to work in intensive services for children and families in South L.A. at Wellnest, a county DMH agency.

At SCCC, Ben helps coordinate clinical skills training, train third-year counselors in attachment-focused EMDR and somatic psychotherapy in the trauma and resiliency training program, and offer supervision, among other roles. The most soul-nourishing experiences at SCCC often emerge in moments of connection, care, empowerment, and healing in community with court-mandated clients and in our Gang Reduction Youth Development (GRYD) healing circles. He feels privileged to witness folks supporting one another, liberating themselves from incarceration and probation, and to see parents get their children back after years of separation.

Ben is excited by the ways SCCC continues to evolve to support a more diverse group of counselors and create more spaces in which our community members can feel cared for, heard, and seen for their strengths and resilience.

Back with another Feature Thursday: Kristen Welke is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist licensed in both California and Wisconsin. She received her BA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she pursued a double major in international studies and Spanish. After her time in Madison, she spent some time in Barcelona and Chicago before landing in Los Angeles and deciding to pursue a master’s in clinical psychology from Antioch University-Los Angeles.

SCCC was Kristen’s first and only choice for a practicum site. SCCC resonated deeply with her values and beliefs regarding therapy and social justice. At SCCC she met Marianne Diaz and joined Outreach, seeing individual clients and facilitating groups. After finishing her hours, she stayed on with Outreach, volunteering, and in 2019 joined SCCC as the Outreach Program Manager.

In Watts, she works closely with her amazing team, incredible Outreach counselors, clients, and outside agencies to ensure the delivery of high quality services to communities that have been intentionally excluded. She is a group and individual supervisor. With Ben and Marni, Kristen has been managing and developing the clinical training program for first and second year counselors since 2021. Her main objective in this position has been to create a practical and comprehensive training program that equips counselors to effectively serve a diverse client base, while incorporating principles of social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Outside of SCCC, Kristen has a private practice where she works with teens and adults. While doing her best to maintain some sort of work/life balance, Kristen loves watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, traveling, and reading. She is into photography, takes Spanish lessons, does cross stitch, and loves being active — aerial silks, rock climbing, yoga, and running. She also keeps busy by dressing herself and her little dog, Lola, in matching sweatshirts.

We would like to thank everyone who came to our celebration at the Center. A heartfelt thank you to every volunteer counselor, paraprofessional, and supervisor who has dedicated their time and energy to the success of SCCC. Your unwavering support and commitment are what make our community strong and vibrant.

Extending gratitude to for their incredible pizzas and outstanding service that truly elevated our gathering.

We are proud to announce our new program for Associates - The Pacific Wellness Collective.

If you are an Associate interested in establishing a private practice, receiving top-notch supervision, and being part of a unique community, visit pacificwellnesscollective.com.

If personal growth or seeking support is on your mind, and you are looking to see a therapist, The Pacific Wellness Collective will meet your needs.

We are dedicated to empowering our clients on their journey to wellness at the Southern California Counseling Center. Our dedicated team is here to support and guide you towards achieving your mental health goals. Whether you are seeking strategies for coping, or ways to build resilience, we are here for you. Visit the link in our bio to take the first step with an intake appointment.

Mental wellness is the cornerstone of every community, binding us together in strength and solidarity.

Celebrating Black History Month, we would like to focus on mental health, continuously, as we foster unity and resilience within the African American community.