Psychological Services FAQs

How Do I Make My First Appointment?
You may call or come by College of San Mateo Health Center between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday or between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Friday. All initial appointments are scheduled through the Health Center office. Subsequent appointments are scheduled with your counselor.

How Fast Can I Get An Appointment?
Appointments are usually available within one to five days of your initial request for services. However, at certain times of the semester this wait may be longer.
What if I Have an Emergency?
If you feel you are experiencing crises, please make this known when you come into the Health Services Office. Every effort will be made for you to see a counselor immediately or within a matter of hours, depending on the nature of the crises.

Who is Eligible to Receive Services?
Psychological Services provides brief, personal counseling to all students of College of San Mateo who are currently enrolled.

Will There Be Any Fees?
All individual counseling sessions are free to eligible students.

Where Will My Appointment Be?
Initial contacts and appointments are made through the Health Services office in Building 1 Room 226. At the time of your first appointment, the Health Services staff will take you to the counselor's office or the counselor will meet you at the Health Services Office. You may go directly to your counselor's office for subsequent appointments.

What Can I Expect From My First Appointment?
We are here to assist you to discover how best to handle pressing personal issues in your life. This discovering process may take the form of individual, couples or family counseling, depending on the issues you wish to explore. Your counseling appointment will normally consist of one 50-minute session per week for up to eight weeks. If you wish to continue counseling beyond eight weeks we may assist you in locating appropriate off-campus counseling services. 

What About Confidentiality?
You can expect complete confidentiality. There are rare situations of possible harm to yourself or others which are required by state law to the reported. Be sure to discuss any concerns you may have about confidentiality with your counselor.

What Times Are Available For Appointment?
Counselors are usually available between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Fridays. Wednesday mornings between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. will not be available.

Who Are The Psychological Services Staff?
Psychological Services is staffed by Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. Also on our staff are counseling interns earning credit for California state licenses as Marriage and Family Therapists. Our counselors, representing a variety of therapeutic orientations, all have prior counseling experience and have received or are completing their Master's degree.  We are a caring group of  counselor dedicated to serving you