Shannon Frasca is the wellness coordinator and counselor for the College of Engineering at Oregon State University. Her position is tailored to the unique mental health needs of engineering students, faculty, and staff, and it’s a job for which she is particularly well-suited.
“I specifically like working with engineering students because they have a creative, problem-solving mindset,” Frasca said. “Being open to recommendations and exploring different ways of thinking are really helpful in addressing mental health.”
Frasca, a licensed clinical social worker, has long held an interest in community mental health. She earned her master of social work degree in 2018 from California State University, Monterey Bay, and worked as a therapist and wellness program coordinator for the nonprofit Community Connection in Santa Cruz before coming to Oregon State at the start of 2022. Prior to joining the College of Engineering, she was a counselor for Counseling and Psychological Services.
Frasca’s services include 30-minute consultations, interactive workshops, and one-on-one therapy. Students can connect with her online via the CAPS self-scheduling portal (under “Short-Term Individual Counseling”) or by email to shannon.frasca@oregonstate.edu. Frasca also has drop-in hours in Johnson Hall 114, with current times listed on the college’s Mental Health and Wellness Resources page.
Consultations are an opportunity for students to express their needs and receive further guidance. Students who are concerned about the wellbeing of a peer are also encouraged to drop in or schedule a consultation. Frasca is certified to provide therapy, including cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavioral, and psychodynamic approaches. She can also help navigate students toward other, well-suited mental health providers.
For those with a general interest in mental wellbeing, Frasca leads interactive workshops through Mind Matters, the college’s mental health workshop series. Weekly hourlong sessions discuss topics such as the winter blues and social anxiety. The full calendar can be found on Frasca’s blog, The Mindful Engineer.
“Ultimately, I want people to know that no matter what they’re going through, they’re supported,” Frasca said.
