About Us

Lee H. Coleman, Ph.D., ABPP

Director of Counseling Services

Pronouns: he/him/his
Education: Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Miami University, 1999
Professional Affiliations: Diplomate, American Board of Professional Psychology; Certificate in Mindfulness Facilitation from the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior; International Mindfulness Teachers Association; 2021-23 Transference-Focused Psychotherapy Program at the Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research; International Society of Transference-Focused Psychotherapy; author, Depression: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed, translated into German, French, Chinese, and Simplified Chinese.
Professional Interests: Preventing depressive relapse; treating personality disorders; suicide prevention; teaching emotion regulation skills; teaching mindful awareness skills
Hobbies/Self-Care: Meditation, playing bass guitar, going to live concerts, cooking, and reading everything I can get my hands on.
Wellness Tip: Mindful awareness isn't necessarily something you have to set aside separate time for. It's an attitude of welcoming awareness that you can bring to whatever you happen to be doing anyway.

This is my 19th year at Caltech - it's an incredible privilege to work with such talented, insightful, and delightful students! There's so much that Wellness Services can offer you - please come talk with us, and let's find out how we can work together.

Denise Lin, LCSW

Assistant Director of Counseling Services and Crisis Intervention Coordinator

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Education: Master in Social Work, California State University, Los Angeles
Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles
Professional Affiliations: National Association of Social Workers
Professional Interests: Acculturation; suicide prevention; multicultural identities; issues related to assault and trauma; interpersonal relationships; depression; issues related to self-esteem
Hobbies/Self-Care: Traveling, cooking, reading, going to the beach, and being in nature
Wellness Tip: The small things make a difference – 3 healthy meals a day, 8 hours of sleep, playing with your cat or dog, reading for fun, sketching, playing an instrument at night, meditating, exercising, calling a friend, or going for a hike or beach day. We need to take care of ourselves in order to take care of others and reach our goals. We all have difficult moments, days and times; reach out to a friend or other supportive individual. Be that supportive individual for someone else.

Denise is a licensed clinical social worker and has been a staff clinician at Caltech Counseling Services since January 2017. She is able to offer counseling in Mandarin and has worked in the field of Asian American mental health for 7 years prior to her experience with college counseling. Drawing from several therapeutic approaches, including psychodynamic and systems theory, Denise strives to use an integrative approach that taps into students' strengths and resilience to address current difficulties.

Charisma Bartlett, Ph.D.

Staff Clinician, Asian/Asian-American Focus

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Education: Ph.D. Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University 2010
Professional Affiliations: Asian American Psychological Association
Professional Interests: Multi-cultural/Diversity issues
Liaisonships/Committees: International Student Programs (ISP), Center for Inclusion & Diversity (CCID)
Hobbies/Self-Care: travel, cooking and eating all cuisines, camping
Wellness Tip: I use an adjustable height standing desk to boost mental alertness during afternoon slumps!

After traveling through 40 countries around the world as a student, tourist, and self-proclaimed international food taster, I completed my doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2010 and joined Student Wellness Services in 2011. My clinical interest areas include cultural identity, spirituality and existential issues, and attachment styles. As a liaison to International Student Programs (ISP) and Center for Inclusion and Diversity (CCID), I provide support to international students as well as under-represented minority and first-generation students.

I believe it's never too late to develop mindset shifts that can influence your present circumstances and future trajectory. My therapeutic style is warm, relational, and focuses on your strengths and goals. I assess how past relationships and experiences may be connected to arrested development in your current context, and help you overcome areas of impasse. Through collaborative exploration, I can help you discover deeper connections in your relationships and move toward a greater sense of purpose and meaning.

Erica Liao, LMFT

Staff Clinician

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Education: M.A. Clinical Psychology, Santa Clara University; B.S. Management Science at UC San Diego
Professional Affiliations: CAMFT, Asian American Psychological Association
Professional Interests: Anxiety management, self-compassion, complex trauma
Hobbies/Self-Care: Crocheting, cooking, trying new restaurants, watching kdramas, playing Nintendo Switch
Wellness Tip: Take a short moment right now -- put one hand on your chest, one on your belly: take a deep breath, and notice the rise and fall. Know you are not alone.

Daniel Szuhay, Psy.D.

Staff Clinician

Pronouns: he/him/his
Education: PsyD in Clinical Psychology with Emphasis in Depth Psychology, Pacifica Graduate Institute, 2015; MA in Counseling Psychology with Emphasis in Depth Psychology, Pacifica Graduate Institute, 2009; BS in Applied Mathematics, University of Pittsburgh, 1991
Professional Affiliations: American Psychological Association, Glendale Area Mental Health Professionals Association
Professional Interests: College student mental health (Undergrad/grad students are my favorite populations with whom to work), anxiety management, intra and inter-personal relationships, insight therapies, family dynamics, depth psychology (an acknowledgment and appreciation of the impact of the unconscious), interaction of etic (universal principals underlying human psychology) and emic (cultural influence on psychological development); not either/or, but some blending of the two.
Hobbies/Self-care: My 3 cats (Evangeline, WillyBoy and Jessica), working out, hiking, viewing expressions of modern/contemporary art, visiting public gardens, good food, laughter, watching edgy sci-fi/time bending shows
Wellness Tip: Exercise/moving the body and hearty/full body laughter are great ways to change mental perspective/elevate mood. So much of what we do, how we think psychologically, and how we respond to our emotions are out of habit; maladaptive habits can be unlearned, and more adaptive, better serving habits can be learned, it just takes intention and practice. 

Edgardo Menvielle, MD, MSHS

Consulting Psychiatrist

Gloria Palomino

Referral Coordinator

I am the Referral Coordinator for Student Wellness Services. Previously, I was a part of Caltech's Covid Management Team where I got to meet a wide array of people on campus every day. I am excited to continue meeting new people through this position. In my free time, I like to listen to music and take care of my many reptiles and insects at home.

Stacy De La Torre

Office Assistant for Student Wellness Services

I am the Office Assistant for Student Wellness services. I am happy to be a part of Caltech, to work with wonderful people who help support and bring our Caltech community together. My professional background has allowed me to wear many hats to naturally fulfill the everyday administrative tasks.

Karen Hernandez

COVID Lead & Front Office Support

I am the COVID Management Team Lead and Front Office Support. Prior to Caltech, I was an early childhood educator for over 10 years. I am passionate about social justice and look forward to working in the public health field. I am an avid concert goer, love listening to music, spending time with friends and reading good books.