Students meet one on one with a licensed counselor to address a variety of concerns such as:
- Stress (academically, socially, emotionally)
- Adjustments to college (homesickness, work/college balance)
- Phase of life issues
- Time management
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Self-esteem
- Sadness
- Loneliness
- Identity issues
- Eating Disorders
- Substance Use
- Family concerns
- Interpersonal issues (roommate issues, significant relationship challenges)
- Grief
Students are encouraged to make an appointment by calling (808)735-4845 or emailing [email protected] to ensure that we are available when they need services. We welcome crisis/urgent/emergency same day appointments and will prioritize these appointments based on need and availability.
We offer a variety of counseling, skill building, and support groups based on student needs. Examples of past groups include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety and Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills.
We currently offer a Student Mother Support Group! Offered both in person and online, this group is founded and led by fellow students who understand the unique challenges of balancing motherhood with academic responsibilities. Facilitated by Counseling Center staff, the group provides a supportive environment for student mothers to connect, share experiences, and receive tailored guidance. Whether you prefer in-person meetings or virtual participation, we offer a space for encouragement, practical advice, and community. Join us to find the support you need as you navigate your journey as a student and a mother.
For more information about dates and times of groups or to request a group, please email [email protected].
We offer brief, goal-oriented counseling to students who are experiencing interpersonal concerns with their partner, friend, or roommate. Both/all students must be actively enrolled to participate in this type of counseling.
This type of counseling entails:
- Looking at the past and present dynamics of your relationship
- Participating in goal setting with your therapist and actively working toward relationship goals
- Taking responsibility for how one’s actions affect the other person and working towards empathy and responsibility
- Agreeing to address your relationship as the focus of counseling
During business hours: if you find yourself in a non-life-threatening crisis, you may reach out to the Counseling Center for crisis intervention during our business hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 4:30PM. We are generally able to return calls or respond to emails by the end of the business day. We also take same-day appointments, although we encourage students to call or email so that we can ensure that we are available when they arrive. For after hours crises, please see our crisis resources.
Treating trauma is a big part of growth! Although addressing trauma can be challenging, it doesn’t have to be scary. We are here to support you! The Counseling Center offers several trauma treatment modalities.
Click on each therapeutic intervention to learn more.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Finding the right people to help you solve a problem can be challenging. We’re here to help you find the support you need and connect with support on campus.
- Advising and Career Development: website / (808) 735-4815
- Campus Ministry: website / (808) 735-4774
- Counseling Center: website / (808) 735-4845
- Dean of Students: (808) 735-4710
- Financial Aid: website / (808) 735-4780
- Medical Insurance: (808) 735-4710
- Office of Student Engagement (OSE): website / (808) 739-8556
- Residence Life: website / (808) 739-4648
- Security: website / (808) 735-4792
- Title IX Coordinator: (808) 440-4275
- Tutoring and Learning Services (Kokua Ike): website / (808) 739-8305
- Counseling Library Guide: website
We are still working on creating Self-Care resources for students to access. In the meantime, check out our resources page or the Mental Health College Guide from the NAMI x Jed Foundation.
Counseling Center: Peer Mentors
The Peer Mentorship program is aimed to be a resource for Chaminade students and is designed to provide support, guidance, and a sense of community. This unique program will allow students to make peer-to-peer connections and share meaningful experiences. We recognize the stressors that college life and personal challenges can bring, and this program will help foster a safe place for everyone.
To contact or schedule an appointment with one of our Peer Mentors, please email [email protected].
Meet the Peer Mentors
My name is Claire Heffernan, and I am currently a third-year student at Chaminade. I major in Psychology, and I also have two minors in Public Health and Studio Art. My hometown is Bowling Green, Ohio, and some of my hobbies include ceramics, hiking, journaling, photography, yoga, and going to the beach with friends! One hobby I enjoy doing in my free time is reading as I love transporting myself to a different world and learning about the unique stories of each character. The specific areas of mental health that I am interested in are counseling and community outreach. As a public health major, I have learned much about the benefits of community mental health programs aimed at bringing people together, de-stigmatizing treatment, and providing treatment to those who might otherwise have not had access. As someone who has significantly benefited from various mental health resources in my own life, I am extremely passionate about the Chaminade Counseling Center’s ability to destigmatize receiving mental health care as well as positively impact the lives of students. My goal with the peer mentorship program is to provide an alternate resource for students other than therapy. I aim to foster an environment of personal growth, self-compassion, and improved coping skills. I hope to connect with students on a personal level and support them in reaching their goals! To me, human connection is one of the most powerful tools in accessing the highest form of oneself, and this is one of the reasons I am so excited to have a peer mentorship program at Chaminade. I look forward to sharing stories, cracking jokes, exchanging meaningful ideas, and building friendships with those that I have the pleasure of peer mentoring.
My name is Christopher Sanders but I go by Micah. I am a third-year psychology major with a minor in Hawaiian and Pacific Studies. I am from Hampton, Virginia commonly known as the 757. In my freetime I like to binge-watch anime and other types of animations. I first joined the Chaminade Counseling Center as an intern in late November of 2022. I have always had an interest in mental health studies but didn’t fully dive into it until my junior year of high school. I find disorders the most interesting in psychology and I am very interested in studying more about abnormal psychology and the DSM. I plan on becoming a psychologist with a Ph.D. or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with a master’s in psychology with a focus on treating mental health disorders without the immediate use of medication. To add, I am not only interested in specific areas of psychology I like to study multiple theories and ideas. My contribution to students on campus would be to share my experiences that may be of some help, to encourage students to recognize it’s ok to not be ok, and to help students develop skills that may allow relief.
My name is Annie Kramer and I am a third-year student at Chaminade. I am majoring in Psychology and minoring in Education. I am originally from Saint Paul, Minnesota. I am interested in working as a therapist for adolescents, primarily in a high school or college setting. I will be a service to students on campus through my kind and nonjudgmental manner. I can use strategies that I have learned in my various Psychology courses to provide a listening ear for students at Chaminade. In my free time, I love going to the beach, hiking, and listening to music.
My name is Mya and I am in my third year at Chaminade University. I am majoring in psychology, and I have recently taken up a studio art minor. I am originally from North Carolina where I was raised for most of my life. I am specifically interested in anxiety and OCD mental health topics. I would like to help students find more creative outlets for stress and anxiety. I love art and creativity. The hobbies I enjoy doing in my free time are creating art with different mediums, shopping, as well as hanging out with friends and family.
My name is Megan Nakamura, and I am currently in my 3rd year majoring in Psychology and minoring in Education here at Chaminade. I was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii. I am specifically interested in having a career as a school counselor and working at the elementary or high school level. I am passionate about helping students on campus by being compassionate and welcoming to everyone. I will use my active listening skills and make it an open space where students feel safe. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends, going to the beach, and watching movies!
My name is Aryana Riahi and I am a first year! I am majoring in psychology and I live in California in a small town called Laguna Beach. A hobby I enjoy doing during my free time is going to the beach and shopping with friends! I am interested in all areas of mental health but specifically anxiety and OCD which is something I struggle with as well so helping others going through similar things is very important to me. I plan to be of service to students on campus by providing guidance as well as sharing my personal experiences while making this a safe place.
Vibe
Vibe is a monthly, informal gathering where students can participate in creative activities and mindfulness activities that can help develop a sense of connection, regulation and personal expression.
Who is this for? Any Chaminade University student can join! The gatherings will be facilitated by Counseling Center staff.
When: TBD
Where: Vi and Paul Loo Student Center, Clarence T.C. Ching Hall
How: Students do not need to preregister and can drop in at any of the gatherings listed above. Students will need to provide their first and last name and student ID number, but no other personal information will be requested unless an emergency arises.
Vibe FAQs
Counseling Center offers case management, which means that staff can assist you in connecting with specific community resources. This can mean helping you find an individual counselor in the community or an organization that meets your needs. We are connected with many excellent providers and can help you find services that meet your needs!
The Counseling Center staff offers various trainings and psychoeducational workshops
throughout the school year, such as a mental health crisis response training, QPR suicide
prevention training, mindfulness workshops, and more.
Mental Health Crisis Response Training:
Our Mental Health Crisis Response Training was created internally in response to staff and
faculty requesting psycho education about various mental health crises that may arise within the
Chaminade University ohana. In this one-hour training, we provide education on six mental
health challenges through information, role play scenarios, and six crisis response decision trees
to use during and after this training. The six areas of mental health covered are; suicidal ideation,
homicidal ideation, depression, panic attacks, intimate partner violence, and psychosis.
QPR Suicide Prevention Training:
Our Counseling Center staff are proud QPR Gatekeeper Instructors, and are grateful to be able to
bring this nationally recognized suicide prevention training to our community. QPR is a nationally
certified suicide prevention training that teaches you how to help someone in crisis. Once you
complete the one-hour in-person or zoom training session, you will be well-equipped to take the
lead on suicide prevention. Being trained in QPR allows any person to recognize the warning
signs, suicidal ideation and respond effectively. This brief, yet thorough, training will show you
how to help someone in crisis. College students are at an increased risk for dying by suicide due
to the pressure they face. According to data from the Department of Health, over the past four
years, the no. 1 cause of death in Hawaii for people between the ages 15 and 44 was suicide.
Being trained in QPR can prevent suicide.
Please download QPR information here:
QPR flier
QPR brochure
QPR newsletter
Internships
The Counseling Center is a practicum placement site for our MSCP graduate students. Please
email [email protected] to learn more about our MSCP practicum placement.
The Counseling Center has begun an undergraduate wellness internship program, which will be
transitioning into a NASPA certified Peer Mentorship Program. Please email
[email protected] to learn more about our undergraduate internship
opportunities.
