Loyola Marymount University welcomed Satinder Gill, Psy.D., ABPP, as the new director for Student Psychological Services (SPS) in August 2024. Gill is a licensed, board-certified clinical psychologist with more than 15 years of experience, providing psychotherapy, coaching, teaching, and consultation services. She most recently served students, staff, faculty, and community-based populations at UC Davis, in counseling and psychological services, the Department of Psychiatry, and the academic and staff assistance program. After completing a doctoral fellowship at LMU in 2012, her longstanding goal has been to return to serve the LMU community.
Gill’s postdoctoral experience was key in her desire to return to the bluff if the right opportunity were to present itself. “I was able to develop a depth of clinical knowledge in a supportive environment; it was evident that my training director and supervisors were invested in my growth, and I was able to develop a collaborative relationship with my cohort fellow,” said Gill. “To meet my professional goals, I needed to develop more leadership experience, which meant I needed exposure and experience in a variety of settings, which led me into some equally wonderful opportunities at other institutions.”
In the short time Gill has been back on the bluff, she described the LMU community as loving. “We often struggle to define this word in English,” said Gill. “Is it an experience felt, offered, received, or shared? Is it an umbrella term for patience, compassion, kindheartedness, joy, generosity, and forgiveness? Is it a response to suffering, a mitigating factor, or a prevention strategy? While I can’t offer a concise definition, I can reassure you: it’s a felt sense that is present on this campus.”
In looking at how her work can directly support LMU students, Gill describes college as a stressful and rewarding time that can help develop one’s resiliency for managing stressors later in life. “Learning about how to care for our mental/emotional well-being is a foundational life skill that I hope all students will take the opportunity to develop during their time at LMU,” said Gill. “SPS clinicians are highly skilled professionals who are caring, invested in your growth, and competent in their roles. I hope to make services accessible at various points of intervention. Learning prevention strategies can be incredibly helpful in managing early symptoms and mitigating the worsening of a condition. Having various intervention options, including groups, workshops, individual therapy, and crisis management services, can aid in receiving more specialized care for a presenting condition or concern.”
Gill has worked primarily within higher education institutions, providing oversight and administrative direction for mental health programs, program development, outreach efforts, and evidence-based psychotherapy and diagnostic assessments. She provided clinical teaching and training to pre- and postdoctoral psychology trainees, medical students and residents, mental health clinicians, licensed medical professionals and paraprofessionals, and legal professionals specializing in public interest and human rights law. Through it all, she maintains a longstanding commitment to improving access to culturally responsive, evidence-based mental health care for marginalized populations. “These experiences support me in the role by offering a foundation from which I can respond to the daily challenges of meeting the needs of our student population and campus community,” said Gill.
As a lifelong learner, Gill sought to expand her skill set by studying clinical psychology and student affairs leadership and administration. Gill earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from California State University, Chico, a master’s degree in educational administration and leadership specializing in student affairs from the University of the Pacific, a master’s degree in psychology from Alliant International University, and a doctorate in psychology from Alliant International University. She is licensed to practice psychology in the state of California and completed national board certification in clinical psychology.
“I studied student affairs leadership and administration to understand better how higher education institutions operate, which provided me with a depth of knowledge and interest in dedicating my career to higher education organizations,” said Gill. “I was also curious about human behavior, which led me to study clinical psychology and provided me with the professional skills required for practicing psychology. I became curious about how spirituality and sociology impacted my work within the field, so I studied models of liberation psychology, mindfulness practices, and self-compassion interventions. I was also interested in the physiology of emotions, how our brain and body communicate, and the impact of nutrition, movement, and social connectedness on our health and life satisfaction which has lead to various additional certifications to better understand each of these areas.”
Gill looks forward to a year of learning and serving ahead, as she adjusts to her new role. She reflected “This role will allow me to best utilize the intersections of my professional background to serve students and the campus community and I’m truly lucky to be here.”
