Making smart money

By Sharon Nagy, On-Line Forty-Niner

Wednesday, September 23, 1998

Some of the best things in life are free, such as cookies at the bakery counter in the supermarket, five-minute massages from chiropractors outside shops on Second Street and counseling at Counseling and Psychological Services at Cal State Long Beach.

"College is a great time for people to get help," said Dr. Clyde Crego, director of CAPS. "Since it is free of charge, it's a chance to take care of some issues now so the problems won't have to follow you around for the rest of your life." He said lingering problems can affect studying and learning.

Crego said the students who come in are generally looking to develop an identity and are motivated to do something to change.

"We try to provide a little of every kind of help. We let students tell us what they need," he said.

The center is staffed with 10 doctors of psychology and three interns who are doctoral candidates. The psychologists work with a variety of situations. Crego said students do not have to come in with something "diagnosable."

Group counseling workshops include: General Therapy, Grief Group, Self-Esteem and Assertiveness, Body Image and SisterFriends (African-American Women's Support Group). Individual counseling is also available.

CAPS can be reached at (562) 985-4001, Brotman Hall, Room 226 or www.csulb.edu/~caps.