Haverhill A (next to Campus Safety)562.907.4239562.907.4218 (fax)counselingcenter@whittier.edu
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.Closed daily from noon - 1 p.m.
If you are in need of support, please refer to our list of recommended resources. To find a therapist with your insurance, visit Thriving Campus and follow the locator services.
For emergencies, call Campus Safety at 562.907.4211 and ask to be connected to an on-call therapist. If you require emergency mental health services, please call 911, go to your nearest hospital emergency room, or call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800.273.8255.
Professional counseling staff is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Dr. Rebecca Romberger has been a California Licensed Psychologist for more than two decades. Born and raised in central Pennsylvania, she received her Doctoral degree in psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She relocated to California to complete an APA-accredited internship with Kaiser Permanente in Health Psychology, followed by a post-doctoral fellowship at Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), where she worked with children suffering from cancer and blood disorders, specializing in the psychological aspects of oncology. After several years in private practice, Dr. Romberger was appointed Executive Director of a local non-profit mental health clinic, while also serving as an adjunct clinical supervisor to Whittier College Counseling Center staff. She was selected as the Counseling Center Director/Clinical Training Director in 2009.
As the mother of two Whittier College graduates, Dr. Romberger understands the challenges students and families face while transitioning to college life. She and her staff provide services that support students in coping with everyday hassles as well as more significant life events. She believes it is an honor to accompany students on the journey of transformation, developing skills, and acquiring knowledge as they move toward graduation, career, and a fulfilling life beyond Whittier.
Dr. Romberger holds memberships in the American Psychological Association, the California Psychological Association, and the Organization of Counseling Center Directors in Higher Education. She serves on the Board of CAPIC (California Psychology Internship Council), representing internship sites across Southern California. She has served as adjunct faculty at the University of Southern California (Rossier School of Education), the University of La Verne, and the Fuller Theological Seminary, School of Psychology. She enjoys supervising graduate psychology students to develop the competent, confident, and professional therapists of tomorrow while supporting the growth and development of Whittier College undergraduate students.
Patricia joined the Whittier College Student Counseling Center in Fall 2023 and currently serves as the Assistant Director of Counseling & CARE. She provides clinical services, supervises graduate trainees, and supports the development of campus-wide mental health initiatives. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over 16 years, Patricia has served the communities of Whittier and Azusa in a variety of clinical and leadership roles. She earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology from Whittier College in 2001. As a Whittier College alumna, former student-athlete, and first-generation college graduate, Patricia understands the opportunities and challenges students experience while navigating higher education and is honored to support the next generation of Poets. Patricia's clinical interests include working with first-generation college students, the Latinx/e community, identity development, trauma, and life transitions. She is passionate about providing culturally responsive, strengths-based care where all aspects of a student's identity are welcomed and valued. She believes higher education can be a powerful protective factor in students' overall mental health and well-being.
Prior to joining Whittier College, Patricia served as Crisis Coordinator at the Azusa Pacific University Counseling Center, where she developed best practices to support students in distress through collaborative, wraparound care. She also served as Adjunct Faculty in Azusa Pacific University's Master of Social Work program.
Outside of work, Patricia enjoys discovering new coffee shops, walking, exploring new places, and spending time with her family.
Danielle graduated from California State University, Dominguez Hills where she received her Bachelor's Degree in English Literature. She joined the Counseling Center staff as the Program Assistant in December 2019 and it brings her great joy to be able to help students, staff, and faculty in any way she can as an office administrator. Danielle is the first face or voice you will see/hear when contacting the Counseling Center and is always willing to help in any way she can.
In her downtime, Danielle enjoys reading, writing, and playing video games to relax and decompress after a long, rewarding day.
Chizaram (she/her) is a fourth-year Ph.D. in the Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University.
Chizaram has completed a master's degree at Biola University, following a B.A in Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She has completed training rotations at the Biola Counseling Center and Didi Hirsch Sepulveda Clinic. Her clinical and research interests include the mental health of first and second-generation children of immigrants and African Americans across the diaspora. Chizaram's Master's thesis explored faith and trauma, examining the relationship between Intergenerational Trauma and Religious Coping among African American populations across the United States. As a Nigerian-American, Chizaram enjoys connecting with BIPOC populations and hearing the many unique stories of family lineage and legacy. Clinically, she utilizes psychodynamic/third-wave CBT modalities for a rich and insightful therapeutic experience. Her passion for mental health awareness and access in underserved communities played a major role in her decision to pursue graduate work in Clinical Psychology. While understanding the difficulties that arise for college students, she hopes to create a space for release and honesty, free of judgment, where students can truly be themselves.
Alongside psychology, Chizaram is a huge fan of the arts, from music and photography to film and architectural design. She hopes to create opportunities for both art and psychology to coexist, where we can heal and better understand our mental health through the arts.
Emma (she/her) is a second-year master's in social work student at California State University, Fullerton. She completed her Bachelor’s in Psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, during which she completed cognitive psychology research that inspired her to pursue the mental health field. When Emma completed her undergraduate degree, she returned to her hometown of Long Beach, California, to volunteer and work in the communities she was interested in serving. This included working with multiple organizations serving communities such as domestic violence survivors, survivors of child abuse, and survivors of tragedy.
In her work with Whittier College, Emma hopes to provide college students with the same support she received during her college years, identifying ways in which students can process and cope with emotional distress during their college experience. She approaches her work with students using perspectives such as strengths-based approach, while also providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy interventions to assist students in distress tolerance and healthy coping skills.
When Emma is not attending school or internship, she enjoys playing drums and spending time with her friends and family. She also enjoys reading biographies about her favorite rock and roll artists- her favorites include The Beatles and Led Zeppelin!
Ivan (he/him/his) is a second-year Master of Social Work (MSW) student at Azusa Pacific University specializing in clinical practice with individuals and families. As a first-generation college graduate, he understands many of the challenges students face while balancing academics, work, relationships, family responsibilities, and personal growth.
Prior to joining Whittier College, Ivan worked in New York City supporting individuals living with HIV, chronic health conditions, and other complex life stressors through community-based services. He also has experience working in residential substance use treatment, providing individual counseling and facilitating groups focused on recovery, coping skills, and emotional wellness.
Ivan is passionate about supporting students as they navigate anxiety, life transitions, identity development, self-esteem, and questions about purpose. He approaches counseling from a strengths-based, culturally responsive lens, believing every student brings unique experiences and strengths into the counseling process. His goal is to create a welcoming and supportive space where students feel comfortable being themselves, exploring challenges, and working toward meaningful change.
Outside of counseling, Ivan enjoys caring for his growing collection of plants, exploring new restaurants, and taking road trips throughout California.
Jessica (she/her) is a second-year Master of Social Work student at California State University, Los Angeles. Originally from the metro Detroit area of Michigan, she is proud of her Midwestern roots and Irish American heritage. She earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Michigan State University before spending seven years working in child welfare, experiences that inspired her to pursue a career in clinical social work with a specialization in behavioral health.
Jessica's clinical approach is grounded in a trauma-informed, strengths-based, and person-in-environment perspective. She is passionate about supporting diverse student populations through life's transitions and is committed to fostering an inclusive, affirming space for students from all backgrounds. She hopes to continue serving foster youth, adolescents, and young adults as a mental health clinician.
In her free time, Jessica enjoys ballroom and Latin dancing, hiking, solo traveling, and watching sunsets.
Joshua (he/him) is a fourth-year Psy.D. student in Clinical Psychology at Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola University.
Before pursuing psychology, he studied Journalism and Integrated Media.
Joshua's interest in mental health grew from his own experiences navigating personal challenges, which inspired him to support others with compassion and hope.
Joshua hopes to offer students a space where they can slow down, feel genuinely heard, and discover that they do not have to navigate life's challenges alone. He often says that journalism taught him how to tell stories, while psychology taught him how to listen to them. Together, these two passions continue to shape the way he connects with and supports others.
Outside of the counseling room, Joshua enjoys reading, quiet moments, spending quality time with family and friends, and playing with his two Shih Tzus. He also continues to host Mandarin language radio programs, one of which has been recognized as China's Top Ten Outstanding Radio Programs.
