About Us

Denise Lin, LCSW

Interim Director of Counseling Services and Crisis Intervention Coordinator

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Education:
Masters 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.

Lee H. Coleman, PhD, ABPP

Senior Clinician, Coordinator of Groups and Outreach

Pronouns: he/him/his
Education: Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Miami University, 1999
Professional Affiliations:

• Diplomate, American Board of Professional Psychology
• Certificate in Transference-Focused Psychotherapy, Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research
• International Society of Transference-Focused Psychotherapy
• North American Society for the Study of Personality Disorders
• Certificate in Mindfulness Facilitation, UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior
• International Mindfulness Teachers Association
• Author, Depression: A Guide for the Newly Diagnosed, translated into German, French, Chinese, and Simplified Chinese.
  

Professional Interests: Preventing depressive relapse; treatment of personality disorders; suicide prevention; clinical applications of mindful awareness skills
Hobbies/Self-Care: Meditation, playing bass guitar, live concerts (achievement unlocked: I've seen metal bands beginning with every letter of the alphabet), 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 21st 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.

Abigail Alido, PsyD

Staff Clinician

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Education: 
Doctorate in Psychology - Loma Linda University
Psychology - University of California Berkeley
Professional Interests: Neurodiversity, Trauma, Multicultural/diversity issues, anxiety, depression, emotion dysregulation, and suicide prevention
Hobbies/Self-Care: taking dance classes, perfecting matcha lattes, trying good restaurants, hanging out with my dog and two cats, taking walks outdoors.
Wellness Tip: Asking why is a fantastic way to get dopamine. My current favorite quote is "The greatest source of suffering is the lies we tell ourselves. People can't get better without knowing what they know and feeling what they feel."  - Bessel van der Kolk

Jamie Turner, LCSW

Staff Clinician

Pronouns: he/him/his
Education: MSW, University of Nevada at Las Vegas (UNLV)
Professional Affiliations: National Association of Social Workers
Professional Interests: Men's mental health, LGBTQIA mental health, young adult / emerging adult life transitions, spirituality and identity, sports psychology
Hobbies/Self-Care: Home repair and improvement, fitness, travel, linguistics
Wellness Tip: One of my favorite quotes is by a writer named Leo Buscaglia, "Worry never spared me tomorrow's sadness, it only robbed me of today's joy."

Karyn Maczka, LMFT

Staff Clinician

Pronouns: she/her/hers
Education:
M.A. Clinical Psychology, Pepperdine University
B.A. Linguistics, University of California Los Angeles
Professional Interests: Managing life transitions; forming and navigating interpersonal relationships; coping with anxiety; understanding multiculturalism; exploring spirituality; addressing disordered eating; alleviating Imposter Syndrome; conducting group and couples therapy
Hobbies/Self-Care: Dancing, hiking, climbing, learning new languages, pyrography, attempting to play the guitar, traveling, and keeping plants alive
Wellness Tip: Pay attention to how you treat yourself. We all have ongoing internal dialogues that affect our thoughts and influence our actions. By becoming aware of our own narrative, we can begin to identify how certain beliefs support or hinder the progress toward our goals. Once we understand the impact of our own perspectives, we can begin to make intentional choices that affirm our values and enhance both our physical and emotional health.

I offer culturally sensitive therapy in English and Spanish. My therapeutic approach is integrative, drawing from various models such as psychodynamic theory, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, family systems, and emotionally focused therapy. Above all, I strive to create a space where you can feel safe, heard, and supported, and where we can work together to increase self-efficacy and overall well-being.

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.