Mental health services for students have been expanded at Cal State Monterey Bay, with extended weekday hours, additional group therapy options and weekend counselor connections.
This expansion includes four additional counseling positions and two psychologists to accommodate the Personal Growth and Counseling Center’s increased service hours.
According to Ana Hernandez, senior director of Health and Wellness Services, the expansion is possible by the increased student fee revenue toward student support services.
“Once the fee increase was confirmed, the PGCC (Counseling Center) began their recruitment process in the summer of 2026 to hire the four new counselor positions by Aug. 17, when faculty-counselor assignments begin,” Hernandez said.
With the expansion, students are able to access services on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., along with opportunities to connect with counselors on weekends on campus.
The Counseling Center also expanded its group therapy offerings to include Surviving to Thriving, Understanding Self & Others, a men’s group and a parent support group.
The Center anticipates further growth as the fee increase is completely implemented in the 2027-2028 academic year. “It has been forecasted to recruit an additional post-doctoral counselor fellow and an additional post-master counselor intern in social work in AY27-28,” said Hernandez.
Further changes to services will depend on student feedback and the results of the current expansion. Hernandez said the center gathers input through student outreach, client satisfaction surveys, external reviews and the biannual National College Health Assessment Survey.
As the center continues expanding, Hernandez emphasized that its priorities extend beyond increasing the number of services available.
“Through any expansion or piloting of new services, the PGCC’s (Center’s) top priority is maintaining quality service and continuing to develop trusting partnerships with students, student groups, departments, and staff and faculty,” Hernandez said.
The exact expanded service schedule can be found here.