The YC3 Team is available during the summer! The Community Wellness Specialists can meet with students regardless of their location, whereas the College Care Clinicians may only meet with students who are physically located in CT during the summer months.

Meet Our Staff

 

Corinne Coia, Director of Student Well-Being

Corinne CoiaAreas of expertise: athlete specific issues, relationships, performance anxiety, sleep issues, stress management, family dynamics,  LGBTQIA+ related concerns, and body image.

Office Location: Silliman College

Click to read Corinne's full bio

 

 

 

Community Wellness Specialists

Common Topics for a CWS

Stress management, motivation, sleep, communication skills, identity development, time management, LGBTQIA+ matters, difficult conversations, imposter syndrome, procrastination, body image, mindfulness, self-compassion, boundaries, relationships, overall wellness

Brian Hamilton

Photo of Brian Hamilton

Areas of expertise: relationships, communication skills, conflict management, LGBTQIA+ related concerns, alcohol and substance use, sleep hygiene, grief and bereavement, imposter syndrome, and managing stress/anxiety.

Office Location: Branford College

Click to read Brian's full bio

 

Ricky Belizaire, Wellness Programming

Photo of Ricky BelizaireAreas of expertise: communication skills, creating boundaries, time/stress management, self-care, working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community, mindfulness, identity development/exploration, and transitional life stages.

Office Location: Morse College

Click to read Ricky's full bio

 

Whitney Simmons

Photo of Whitney SimmonsAreas of expertise: interpersonal relationships, communication skills, self-care, and planning/organization, roommate issues/concerns, and athletes.

Office Location: Grace Hopper College

  • Make a Zoom appointment with Whitney

Click here to read Whitney's full bio

    *Please note that Whitney is currently on parental leave and will be returning at the end of the fall semester. If you need anything please email either community.wellness.specialists@yale.edu or college.care.clinicians@yale.edu

     

    Angie Makomenaw, Health Promotion & Marketing

    Areas of expertise: healthy relationships (family, romantic, friends), communication skills, sleep dynamics, self-care, supporting others, creating boundaries, motivation, imposter syndrome, mindfulness, alcohol and substance use, and is a QPR trainer

    Office Location: Pierson College

    Click here to read Angie's full bio

     

    College Care Clinicians

    Kim Nguyen, Psy.D.

    Kim NguyenAreas of expertise: academic stressors, social connections, gender and sexuality exploration, cultural and racial identities, alcohol and substance use, and/or issues relating to grief and bereavement. In addition, international students, and students who are experiencing social political stressors.

    Office Location: Pauli Murray College

    Click to read Dr. Nguyen’s full bio

     

    Clara Mesa, LCSW

    clara mesaAreas of expertise: trauma, anxiety, depression, acculturation issues, relationships, identity exploration, communication skills, FGLI related stressors, and life changes/transitions.

    Office Location: Branford College

    Click to read Clara’s full bio

     

    Lauren Moss-Racusin, Ph.D.

    Lauren Moss-Racusin, Ph.D.

    Areas of expertise: management of stress, anxiety, depression, obsessive and compulsive concerns, and trauma; imposter syndrome and other academic and occupational issues; familial, peer, and romantic relationships; growing independence; and development of cognitive defusion, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness skills

    Office Location: Davenport College

    Click to read Dr. Moss-Racusin’s full bio

     

    Nicole Cepeda, DSW, LCSW, Clinical Programming

    Areas of expertise: intergenerational trauma; familial, peer, and romantic relationships; identity development; cultural experiences and development; FGLI related stressors; and life transitions.

    Office Location: William L. Harkness Hall

    Click to read Dr. Cepeda‘s full bio

     

    Need urgent support? To speak to an on-call clinician 24/7 (including after-hours and weekends) call this number: 203-432-0290

     

     

    About the Program

    Yale College Community Care (YC³), a program created through the collaboration between Yale College and Yale Mental Health and Counseling, expands mental health and wellness support to Yale College’s diverse undergraduate student community.  

    Founded in the spring of 2021, YC³ has ten full-time staff members; five College Care Clinicians, four Community Wellness Specialists and a Director. All team members meet with students individually and through group opportunities. In addition to these services, YC³ team members can assist students who are thinking about pursuing more formal, ongoing therapy through Yale Mental Health and Counseling. Students can schedule YC³ appointments directly.

    Mission Statement

    Our mission is to provide short-term mental health and wellness services to Yale undergraduates. We offer readily accessible individual and group opportunities that are tailored to a diversity of student needs. A partnership between Yale College and Yale Mental Health and Counseling, we strive to promote a student-centered culture of well-being.

    College Care Clinicians are licensed clinical social workers and psychologists who are available to meet with students in locations near the residential colleges for drop-in clinical care. The YC³  clinicians are part of the Mental Health and Counseling staff, and meetings with them are confidential. They also work closely with the rest of the YC³  team on common issues and community programming.

    Community Wellness Specialists are available to meet in the residential colleges with students who want to work on practical strategies for overall well-being. They are part of Yale College’s Student Affairs Office and work together with heads, deans, first-year counselors, and peer liaisons as members of the residential college’s support team. The tools and approaches they offer can be used alongside therapy or on their own. The YC³  specialists can also connect students to other resources throughout the university.

    Need urgent support? To speak to an on-call clinician 24/7 (including after-hours and weekends) call this number: 203-432-0290.