Student Counseling and Wellness

Counseling & Wellness Center 

The Samuel Merritt University Student Counseling & Wellness Center promotes healthy lifestyle choices, encourages a holistic philosophy and balance to life, and combines a pro-active, positive approach to healthy living. Wellness focuses on the total person, recognizing that good health is more than the absence of illness, but rather a robust state of well-being that acknowledges the importance and inseparability of the mind-body relationship. The wellness philosophy extends beyond the traditional medical model with its emphasis on physical health, to include eight interrelated dimensions of wellness. 

The 8 Dimensions of Wellness:
Physical Wellness
Emotional Wellness
Intellectual Wellness
Social Wellness
Spiritual Wellness
Environmental Wellness
Multicultural Wellness
Occupational Wellness

True wellness is an ongoing process, achieved through a lifetime of learning and exploring these different facets of our personalities and nature. 

Counseling and Wellness Services strive to enhance the academic environment of Samuel Merritt University by promoting the well being of our students, offering a range of services that include:
  • Individual Personal Counseling
  • Admissions & Academic Counseling Services (Admissions counseling for prospective students is done at a different campus dept.) *Click on link above or call 510-869-6576 for admissions counseling
  • Couple's Counseling *both individuals need to be SMU students
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Mental Health Consultation
  • Outreach & Presentations
  • Health & Wellness Screenings
  • On and Off-Campus Referrals

Mission Statement

The Counseling and Student Wellness Center strives to enhance the wellbeing of students through facilitating their emotional, interpersonal, and intellectual development. We provide emotional support, impart life skills, and encourage self-reflection, all with the purpose of empowering students to navigate their way toward greater autonomy and effectiveness. We work to create a safe environment that is inclusive and welcoming of all students. Additionally, we serve as consultants to the greater campus, promoting an informed, prepared and safe community.

 

The Counseling Center is a place where students can get help for personal, emotional, psychological, relationship and family problems. Succeeding with academic work often depends on effectively dealing with emotional and social issues. Because understanding and dealing with a situation before it reaches a crisis stage usually leaves more options, students are encouraged to seek help sooner, rather than later. The Center is open twelve months of the year.

Scheduling Appointments
Your first appointment will provide you with an opportunity to talk confidentially with a counselor about your immediate concerns. By the end of the appointment, your counselor will be able to offer you some initial impressions of what resources or services would be most helpful for you.

  • Students at the OAKLAND & SAN FRANCISCO campuses can make initial appointments by contacting (510) 869-1516.  The Oakland Counseling Center Office is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday between 9:00 - 5:00 p.m.

    The Oakland counseling center is staffed by    :

      • Jeanne Zeamba, Psy.D. Director of Counseling & Student Wellness
      • Anglyn Sasser, Psy.D. Staff Psychologist 
                                   
                                                   Samuel Merritt University
                                            Counseling & Wellness Services 
                                            3100 Telegraph Ave, Suite 303
                                                      Oakland, CA 94609
                                                    Phone: (510) 869-1516
         
  • Students at the SAN MATEO & SACRAMENTO campuses have access to 10 free sessions per year with mental health counselors through the Sutter Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Please call (800) 477-2258 to learn more.