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Welcome

Wellness Counseling

Hello San Mateo High School Students and Families!

Check out the SMHS Wellness Linktr.ee for important links and resources! 

Wellness Counselors offer a safe space at school where any SMHS student can receive confidential and nonjudgmental socio-emotional support.

To meet with a Wellness Counselor:

  • Visit the Wellness Center located in Student Services during drop-in hours. No appointment necessary! (see below for drop in hours schedule)

Request an appointment.  

Our Wellness Program

The Wellness Program at San Mateo High School provides prevention and short term intervention for all students facing social and emotional challenges that impact academic performance, attendance, and behavior at school. In a safe and supportive environment, students can meet with a wellness counselor to discuss a variety of complex issues such as stress, trauma, suicide, depression, bullying, grief, self-esteem, family life, drug and alcohol use, relationships and gender identity and L.G.B.T.Q.+. Students can learn positive, lifelong habits that contribute to their well-being and success. The Wellness Program provides short-term (up to 12 sessions) individual, group and/or drop-in support in a confidential, non-judgmental space staffed with therapists who are dedicated to improving the health, well-being and educational outcomes of all students.

Services Provided:

  • Short-term (12 session) individual counselor support
  • Group counseling
  • Drop-in & crisis support
  • Mental health assessments
  • Referrals to community partners for:
    • Long-term therapy
    • Family therapy
    • Acute or severe mental health/psychotic disorders
    • Eating disorders
    • Trauma


Referral Process:
Talk with your student's school counselor as the first step to accessing wellness services or come in during drop-in hours

First page of the PDF file: FallSMHSWellnessDrop-InHours24-25

 

Resources

If this is a medical, mental health or immigration related emergency, please contact the following sources immediately:   

Crisis Resources:

Parent Resources:

Community Partnerships:

  • Care Solace is an online no-cost resource with a live 24/7 concierge meant to assist students and families in finding local mental health-related programs and counseling services (with or without insurance). Students and their families can access Care Solace services by contacting the summer Wellness team or:
  • Daybreak Health
    • The San Mateo Union High School District is Proud to Partner with Daybreak Health. When students feel well, they can focus, learn, and thrive - in school and beyond. Our district is proud to partner with Daybreak Health to provide confidential, evidence-based virtual wellness support for students ages 5–19. Sessions are designed to help students strengthen focus, manage stress, build confidence, and develop lifelong coping skills.

    • Families can submit a Care Request to get started.
    • Students are matched with a qualified clinician who provides personalized, one-on-one or family sessions.
    • Appointments are available Monday–Saturday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
    • Sessions are secure and confidential, HIPPA and FERPA compliant, and offered in English and Spanish.
    • Daybreak bills the students' insurance company.
       
  • allcove San Mateo (Open as of January 22, 2024)
    • allcove is a space for youth to find community, support, advice or take a moment of pause
    • Services Offered: Mental Health, Physical Health, Substance Use, Peer Support, Family Support, Supported Education and Employment
    • Hours of Operation:
      • Mon/Tues/Thurs/Friday: 1 - 7 p.m.
      • Saturday: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
      • Closed Wednesdays and Sunday
    • Location: 2600 S. El Camino Real, Suite 300, San Mateo, CA 94403
    • Phone: 650-226-7030
    • Email: allcovesanmateo@peninsulahealthcaredistrict.org
       
  • Rape Trauma Services 24-hour hotline: 650-692-7273
     
  • CORA (Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse): 24-hour hotline: 1-800-300-1080
     
  • Kara: Grief Support Services
  • Trevor Project (LGBTQIA+ youth): 24 hour hotline: 1-866-488-7386
     
  • Gender Spectrum (Gender non-conforming youth)
     
  • Immigrants Rising

Contact Us

Diana de Guzman
650.558.2376
Lead Wellness Counselor (Bilingual Tagalog)
ddeguzman@smuhsd.org

Elena Ortiz
650.558.2380
Wellness Counselor (Bilingual Spanish)
edortiz@smuhsd.org

Maye Gutierrez
650.558.2362
Wellness Counselor (Bilingual Spanish)
mgutierrez@smuhsd.org

Angelica Argyris
650.558.2384
Wellness Counselor (Bilingual Spanish)
aargyris@smuhsd.org

Melissa Rodriguez
650.558.2383
Therapeutic Elective Classroom (TEC) Wellness Counselor (Bilingual Spanish)
mrodriguez@smuhsd.org

Know Your Resources

 

Poster with various crisis resources

 

Download flyers:
English  |  Spanish  |  Chinese

 

LGBTQ+ resources