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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions - Reference Document

Counseling Ambassadors

Interested in our program? Connect with our Ambassadors! During the Fall to Spring application cycle they are the first point of contact for questions about the program, the application process, the student experience, and more!

Each application year, from September to early spring, our Counseling Ambassadors are here to answer questions that prospective applicants have. Use their scheduling links below to make an appointment with one (or more) of them today!

What can our Counseling Ambassadors offer? They can provide support for:

• application processes and procedures
• questions about the field of Professional Counseling, including how it differs from other mental health professions
• what each of our four concentrations entail
• general information about our classes, cohort model, fieldwork opportunities, and student experience
• culture and requirements of the program
• general licensing/certifications related to our discipline, including post-graduate requirements for licensure

What can our Counseling Ambassadors NOT offer?

• They cannot provide specific feedback regarding your current or past application or outcome of the program decisions on admission.
• They cannot give advice regarding what to do or not to do regarding application materials.
• They cannot evaluate the strength or viability of your application materials – they are not in an evaluative role.

For more support on career advice and crafting the content of your application, we highly recommend reaching out to your undergraduate institution's career center which typically supports both current students and alumni in the graduate application process.

Schedule an Appointment

Each application year, from September to early spring, our ambassadors can meet with you about the above-listed items. Below are the profiles for our 2025-2026 Counseling Ambassadors.

If you would like to meet with one or more of our Ambassadors, you can schedule a 30-minute Zoom appointment during their office hours using the links below. You can also email the Counseling Ambassador team inbox if you have any questions: coe-csa@csus.edu

For inquires about specific application instructions and/or items that the Counseling Ambassadors were unable to address, please feel free to reach out to our additional Program Support Team via email or virtual meeting.

*Note: Most appointments are not available for scheduling until 7 days in advance – if you do not see availability, try another week or contact the Counseling Ambassadors team email.

(1) Nancy

Hello! My name is Nancy (she/her), and I am currently in my last year of the MS in Counseling Program in the Career Counseling concentration. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Chicanx Studies, with a minor in Education, from UC Davis. My experience working in higher education allowed me to see that students are navigating complex life experiences beyond the classroom. This inspired me to pursue a master’s in counseling to better support them as whole people, rather than just students. As a counselor, I like to take a holistic approach that honors individuals’ lived experiences and their cultural backgrounds. Supporting clients in their education, career, and personal growth is a meaningful journey of self-discovery that helps them step fully into their own path. As an ambassador, I am excited to welcome prospective students and help you navigate this exciting next step. Whether you have questions about the application process, the student experience, or what it's like to balance grad school, I am here to support you!

My inspiration to pursue a master’s in Career Counseling grew out of my work in higher education, where I saw firsthand how students navigate complex life experiences far beyond the classroom. As a counselor-in-training, I strive to support individuals by taking a holistic approach that honors their unique lived experiences and cultural backgrounds.
This program has greatly impacted me as I originally stepped in thinking I’d be building on my previous work, but that has shifted a bit. I am excited to be pursuing my LPCC after graduation to support individuals at a deeper capacity, especially when career and academic pressures leave them feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about what comes next.

Click here to book an appointment

(2) Sarah

Hi! I'm Sarah and I'm currently in my 2nd year of the Professional Clinical Counseling Program in the Marriage, Couples, and Families specialization. I began my undergrad at Folsom Lake College and transferred to UC Santa Barbara where I received my B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychology. Outside of the program, I work at my alma mater, Folsom Lake College, as a Student Support Specialist in the Outreach Department.
As a result of being in this program, I have and continue to experience both professional and personal growth. As I embark on the exciting chapter of seeing clients this year in practicum, I could not feel more equipped and supported by faculty and my cohort.
This is such a unique and encompassing program, and I look forward to connecting with you and providing any support that I can as you navigate this process!

Click here to book an appointment

(3) Trin

My name is Trin Padilla (he/him/his/él), and I am a first-generation Mexican-American college graduate and post-graduate student who is in his final year of pursuing an MS in Counseling with a concentration in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling (MCFC) within the Professional Clinical Counseling Program (PCCP). A bit more about me: I was raised in a small-medium town outside of the Bay Area here in Northern California and earned my BS in Psychology here at Sac State. Since then I have explored a myriad of career paths, skills, and interests, including professional audio, marketing and promotions, software engineering, and more. I eventually circled my way back to mental health with work as a Behavioral Technician in applied behavior analysis (ABA) and as a community support counselor in community-mental health, where I supported probation youth, transition-aged youth (TAY) and more. My experiences with mental health as both an adolescent and young adult have inspired me to focus my efforts on reducing the stigma surrounding suicide and help-seeking for mental health, particularly within Hispanic/Latine/Latinex populations and among boys/men from diverse backgrounds. I aspire to become a dually Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), with the intent of providing talk therapy to young adults, adults, families, and couples from all walks of life.

During the PCCP I served as the Vice President for the Student Counseling Society (SCS) and as a Co-Chair for Community Service within the Chi Sigma Sigma Chapter for Chi Sigma Iota (CSI), Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society International between 2025-2026. I also served on the Associated Student’s Incorporated (ASI) Board of the Directors as the Director of Education in Spring 2026 and am currently interning within the Kaiser Permanente NCAL Hospice and Bereavement program.

Outside of my counseling-identity, you can find me rocking out on the guitar, in a flow state on piano, or spending time con mi familia o amigos. As a Program Ambassador, I am excited to share my passion for the field and hope that my accumulated experiences and wisdom can shed some light on your first steps into the helping professions and counseling-identity!
I look forward to our future interactions!

Click here to book and appointment

(4) David

Hi I’m David and I am currently in my second year in the Counseling Program here at Sacramento State and just began my internship at the Career Center helping students explore options for their future careers and interests. I am originally from South Sacramento so after serving in the Navy as a Fleet Marine Force Corpsman for 8 years it has been nice coming back home. Outside of school I love watching and playing sports, hanging out with my friends, and I really enjoy being by water rather that be fishing, paddleboarding, or just swimming in general. My inspiration to pursue counseling came through my experiences in the military and my drive to help others. My target population ideally would be helping other disabled veterans as well as their families. Counselors throughout my life have helped me get on and stay on the right path so I would love to do the same for others in the future!
The Counseling Program has been such a blast thus far! I have made some really good friends in my Cohort and it is really cool just to see everyone with similar passions get through the program together and being able to lean on each other whenever needed. The impact has been tremendous in my life. The faculty and students genuinely care for one another and it is palpable. I couldn’t see myself pursuing anything else.

Click here to book an appointment

Program Support Team

        ** Note: Our Counseling Ambassadors are on break between semesters. If you would like to schedule an appointment at this time, please feel free to reach out to our Program Support Team**

For prospective student support during the application cycle (September to February), please reach out to our Counseling Ambassadors Team, who can assist with questions about the program, application process, student experience, concentration, and more.

In addition, please see our FAQ Document which addresses most questions about our program.

If you have inquires about specific application instructions and/or items that the Counseling Ambassadors and website were unable to address, please feel free to reach out to our Counseling Program Support Team via email or virtual meeting.

• Program Support Team Email: coe-counselored@csus.edu
• Program Support Zoom Meeting: Schedule an Appointment