Skyline College Personal Counseling Services are hybrid with some in person appointments. If you would like to speak with a personal counselor please call (650) 738-4270 or email Rubielyn Bactad-Ruiza for an appointment (please include phone # and G#). Please see our "Online Resources" tab to the left for support via text, telephone or online. We are here to support you during this time and will respond to all communications in as timely a manner as possible.

Personal counseling offers brief confidential individual counseling, crisis intervention, mental health and substance abuse assessments, and community referrals.

The goal of counseling is to support students in identifying and managing personal concerns, learn more about themselves and make positive life changes. Talking about issues and concerns in a safe and confidential environment can enable students to become more successful in college and life. Benefits of counseling include relief from distressing symptoms; improved emotional health; the acquisition of new approaches to problem solving and decision making; more satisfying interpersonal relationships; and increased insight and understanding of thoughts, feelings and behaviors.

Personal Counseling Services is staffed by licensed mental health professionals. Services are FREE for currently enrolled Skyline College students. Drop-in counselling is available without an appointment Monday through Thursday from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Referral information for longer term counseling is also provided.

Personal Counseling Office Hours

Call: 650-738-4270

Mon: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Tues: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Wed: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Thurs: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Fri: CLOSED FOR SUMMER

Drop in Hours 12:00-1:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday

Services are Virtual & In-person

Personal Counselors

The personal counselors do not answer their phones while in session with a student or check messages when they are off campus. Please leave a message and a counselor will return your call as soon as possible. If you would like to speak with a personal counselor please call  (650) 738-4270 or email Rubielyn Bactad-Ruiza for an appointment (please include phone # and G#). 

Bryan A. Martinez

Registered Associate PCC # 13840 / Marriage Family Therapist Intern Registration Applicant

Employed by San Mateo Community College District

Supervised by Elizabeth Avila Llamas,

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT #45758

 650-378-7412 x4068 martinezalonsob@smccd.edu

Cristina Beatriz Carella

LMFT 53880

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

650-378-7412 x4066 carellac@smccd.edu

Elizabeth Avila Llamas

LMFT 45758

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

650-738-4351 llamase@smccd.edu

Golda Marie Gacutan Margate

Worker ASW 102547

Registered Associate Clinical Social Worker

Employed by San Mateo Community College District

Supervised by Elizabeth Avila Llamas,

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT #45758

 650-738-4322 margateg@smccd.edu

Jenna Hornbuckle

Marriage & Family Therapist Trainee

Employed by San Mateo Community College District

Supervised by Elizabeth Avila Llamas,

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT #45758

 650-738-7983 hornbucklej@smccd.edu

Kelsey L. Dodson

Registered Associate MFT #135797/ Registered Associate PCC #12642

Employed by San Mateo Community College District

Supervised by Elizabeth Avila Llamas,

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT #45758

 650-378-7412 x4079 dodsonk@smccd.edu

Perry Byron Chen

LCSW  69379

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

650-738-4375 chenp@smccd.edu

Tessa Yin Fung Kwan

LMFT 135202

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

 650-378-7412 x4067 kwant@smccd.edu

Yesenia Bracamontes Villa

LMFT 94513

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

LPCC: 3583

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

ATR-BC 15-296

Board Certified Art Therapist

 650-738-4459 villay@smccd.edu

 

Confidentiality

All information is confidential and will not be released or discussed with anyone, including faculty and staff, without your written permission. However, by law there are conditions under which disclosure is mandated:

  1. If the counselor is ordered by a judge to testify or release mental health records
  2. When there is reasonable suspicion of child abuse including sexual exploitation as defined by AB1775, or abuse to a dependent or elder adult.
  3. When you communicate a direct or indirect threat of bodily injury to another.
  4. When either you or one of your family members informs us that you are a threat to seriously harm yourself or another (this includes the Skyline College community)
  5. When disclosure is required pursuant according to a legal proceeding.