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Group Offerings

  • A white poster on a bright yellow background details an "Ask a Therapist! Open Office Hours" event at Pride Center, every Wednesday from 10:30am to 12:00pm. Features logos for Pride Center and Behavioral Health Counseling Services of Palomar College.
  • A promotional image for a "Mental Health Hour" at Palomar College featuring colorful text on a cream background, an illustration of a woman with a white headscarf, and event details.

Community Forums are supportive, community-based spaces designed with a specific student population in mind. Community Forums have the intention of building community and a sense of belonging with student mental health and wellness as the foundation for personal and academic success. Facilitated/co-facilitated by a licensed therapist or BHCS intern/trainee.

Fall 2026 Forums

  • Umoja Mental Health Hour: Wednesdays: Sept. 9 & 23, Oct. 7 & 21, Nov. 4 & 18 and Dec. 9 at 2pm in the Umoja Village (SU-30) with BHCS therapist Mercedes Tiggs, LCSW.
  • Rising Scholars Weekly Check-In: Fridays 10am-12pm with BHCS therapist Mercedes Tiggs, LCSW.
  • Ask a Therapist – Open Office Hours: Wednesdays at 10:30am to 12:00pm at the Pride Center (SU-17) with BHCS therapist A.J. Lewison, LCSW.
  • Queer Coming Out Group: Thursdays 11am-12pm at the Pride Center (SU-17) starting September 10th and ending October 8th with BHCS therapist A.J. Lewison, LCSW.
  • Gender Exploration & Transitioning Group: Thursdays 11am-12pm at the Pride Center (SU-17) starting October 22nd and ending December 2nd with BHCS therapist A.J. Lewison, LCSW.

Psychoeducational Workshops are stand-alone workshops or workshop series that are psychoeducational in nature with an element of care and support. These workshops have an emphasis on learning and practicing new coping skills. These can be facilitated by licensed therapists and/or BHCS interns/trainees, and any currently registered student can attend.

Fall 2026 Workshop Series

  • BHCS Support Hour for Immigration Impacted Students & Allies: held in person in MD-155C at the San Marcos campus 1pm-2pm and facilitated by BHCS therapist Mariana Guzman, LMFT, LAADAC.
    • September 30: Change & Community
    • October 7: Belonging & Identity
    • November 11: Stress & Self-Care
    • December 2: Strength & Well-Being
  • Recovery & Connection is a supportive psychoeducational wellness series designed to help students strengthen coping skills, build supportive connections, and navigate life’s challenges and transitions. Facilitated by BHCS therapist Mariana Guzman, LMFT, LAADAC on the following Mondays 2:30pm-3:30pm in MD-155B at the San Marcos campus.
    • October 26: Honoring Your Story
    • November 2: Creating Space Between Feelings and Actions
    • November 16: Navigating Stressful Seasons
    • November 30: Understanding Triggers & Creating New Responses
    • December 7: Moving from Shame to Self-Compassion
  • Veteran Voices are Mental Health workshops that are focused on serving those who have or are still currently serving in the military. Facilitated by Behavioral Health Counseling Services therapist Kim Lesnick, LCSW on the following Mondays 12pm-1pm in the Veteran Resources Center (ST-52):
    • October 5: Who am I? Civ/Div
    • October 12: Who are You?
    • October 19: Family Adjustments
    • October 26: Introduction to Grief
    • November 2: Brothers, Sisters, and Beyond
    • November 9: Service Never Ends

Skillshops are typically stand-alone workshops offered by the Student Wellness Advocacy Group, Active Minds, or a BHCS therapist/intern in collaboration with the Palomar Promise program. They are frequently more of an overview of a topic (e.g. Stress Management) as opposed to a deep dive into clinical material. Coping skills can be introduced to students related to the Skillshop topic.

Fall 2026 Health & Wellness Skillshops

  • Mindfulness, Meditation & Relaxation: Wednesday, Sept. 30th 11am-12pm at the Welcome Center Classroom (WC-112) or via Zoom.
  • Healthy Relationships: Monday, Oct. 12th 10-11am at the Welcome Center (WC-112) or via Zoom.
  • Finding Stability in Times of Change: Wednesday, Oct. 14th 10-11am at the Welcome Center (WC-112) or via Zoom.
  • Stress Management: Monday, Oct. 19th 10-11am at the Welcome Center (WC-112) or via Zoom.
  • Healthy Sleep: coming soon!
  • Overcoming Burnout and Procrastination: Wednesday, Nov. 4th 10-11am at the Welcome Center (WC-112) or via Zoom.
  • Bystander Intervention: Wednesday, Nov. 11th 11am-12pm at the Welcome Center (WC-112) or via Zoom.
  • Moving Forward with Purpose: Tuesday, Nov. 17th 1-2pm at the Welcome Center (WC-112) or via Zoom.
  • Mindfulness Through Vision Boards: Monday, Dec. 7th 10-11am at the Welcome Center (WC-112).

Skillshops are FREE for students and require registration. Visit our Health Promotion website for session registration and location information.

Note: Workshops, Skillshops and Community Forums are not professional counseling. If you would like professional counseling or mental health treatment, please contact the BHCS office at 760-891-7531 to schedule an appointment.

Visit our Health Promotion Page For Details on Upcoming Offerings

Visit Health Promotion