Counseling

Not-so-secret guide for counseling

Our insider’s podcast about being a Berkeley Engineer offers a double helping of episodes for students wanting to learn more about CAPS and the counselors that provide services for engineering students.

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Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) has two College of Engineering satellite office counselors: Denise Goitia, clinical social worker and Christine Zhou, staff psychologist. All counselors are from Counseling and Psychological Services and provide free and confidential consultations to students related to any personal or professional concerns. You do not need health insurance to see a CAPS counselor.

Engineering Counseling Satellite Offices offer both virtual appointments (zoom or phone) and in-person appointments depending on the students’ preferences and the counselors’ availability. Students can access the services by utilizing in-person or virtual drop-in hours (listed in counselor profiles below). If you are calling and the counselor is not picking up the phone right away, please leave a voice message for the counselor to call back. Please clearly spell out your name and your phone number. When the counselor returns your call, it is likely that it will come from a private number so make sure to answer the call. We will discuss ways to set up either virtual (zoom/phone) or in-person appointments, or connect you with local resources. Virtual and in-person appointments are free for all engineering students. There is no need to have SHIP in order to access services.

Meet our counselors

Denise Goitia
Clinical Social Worker

Alternative language: Spanish
Satellite office: 422 Sutardja Dai Hall

Virtual drop-in hours:

Wednesdays 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Call (510) 664-5479 and leave a message.

Christine Zhou
Licensed Psychologist

Alternative language: Mandarin
Satellite office: 141C Grimes Engineering Center

In person or Virtual drop-in hours:

Mondays 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Tuesdays 2–4 p.m.

Call (510) 643-7850 and leave a message.

For students with urgent mental health needs, please call Counseling and Psychological Services at the Tang Center (510) 642-9494, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday-Friday. You will be able to speak to an on-call counselor on the same day. For after-hours crisis support, please call (855) 817-5667.

Our counselors can help you make progress with any number of issues, including;

stress and anxiety
depressed moods and low self-esteem
imposter syndrome, procrastination, time management, and academic challenges
family conflicts and pressures
relationship, break-up, and intimacy issues
challenges faced by ethnic minority students, first-generation college students, and/or undocumented students
struggles in the “coming out” process or LGBTQI+ students
alcohol and drug abuse
transition, grief, and loss
career development and decision-making