Photo of Pena, Marlene

Marlene Pena, LCSW

Crisis Counselor

Areas of Special Interest Heading link

BIPOC and historically marginalized communities, racism/race-related stress, first-generation students, anxiety disorders, and life transitions. 

Languages Spoken Heading link

  • English
  • Spanish

What to Expect When Working with Me Heading link

As a crisis counselor, I:
  • Provide initial consultations, crisis intervention, stabilization, and referrals, as well as brief individual therapy to undergraduate and graduate students at UIC
  • Provide psychoeducation and resources to staff and faculty as well as both undergraduate and graduate students at UIC
  • Provide clinical supervision to colleagues, interns, externs, and post-doc fellows
  • Provide single session appointments to students who may just need a brief check-in

Education and Training Heading link

Master of Social Work | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Practice + Consultation Fellowship | University of Chicago | 2023 – 2024

What I do at the Counseling Center Heading link

As a crisis counselor, I:
  • Provide initial consultations, crisis intervention, stabilization, and referrals, as well as brief individual therapy to undergraduate and graduate students at UIC
  • Provide psychoeducation and resources to staff and faculty as well as both undergraduate and graduate students at UIC
  • Provide clinical supervision to colleagues, interns, externs, and post-doc fellows
  • Provide single session appointments to students who may just need a brief check-in

About Me Heading link

Hola! I am a first-generation Latina who grew up on the south side of Chicago. In my free time, I enjoy taking long walks, running, reading, listening to podcasts, grabbing coffee with friends, and creating art.