In the Fall 2019 we launched our Intern Program. It was a grant funded pilot program. We recruited post-graduate Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist through the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapist (CAMFT) intern fair at their annual conference. We had a number of candidates apply and we selected two post-graduate interns.
I designed with the support of our Director of Student Support and Dean of Counseling our newly hired, full-time counselor’s position/job description to focus on three main components: Outreach, Triage and Intern Supervision. The coordination of which, I was charged with.
In 2021, our Personal Counseling department created another full-time Faculty, Personal Counselor position to which I applied. The position would focus on the following: Clinical and administrative support of our Triage program which included regular training and collaboration with our Office Assistant Two, oversee the Clinical Intern Program, direct services, assist with administrative duties of our department and serve as a subject matter expert in personal counseling as it relates to law & ethics, Board of Behavioral Sciences compliance and counseling strategies and techniques.
Clinical Intern Program: From the onset, we sought out candidates that had a strong interest in School Based Mental Health. We were looking to recruit individuals who not only had a desire to work in higher education but who had a desire to learn the unique clinical skills of working in a School Based Mental Health setting. School Based Mental health encompasses the following six elements: Direct Counseling Services, Crisis Intervention, Faculty & Staff Consultations, Mental Health & Substance Abuse Assessments, Community Referrals/Resources and Outreach/In-Reach Efforts utilizing a trauma informed lens.
Our aim was to recruit and train the next generation of specialized mental health providers, to provide a feeder into our Faculty Adjunct Counselor Positions for continuity of care, to diversify our clinical staff and to become a well-respected and highly sought after internship site for aspiring mental health clinicians.
Since 2019 I have recruited, trained and supervised the following exceptional interns:
Danielle Brandys, is now a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Hope Ledding, is now a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Golda Margate, graduated from the University of Southern California with a Master of Social Work with an emphasis in Adult Mental Health. Golda is a Registered Associate Clinical Social Worker working towards licensure.
Kelsey Dodson is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor. I recruited her to join our team for the Fall 2021 semester and provided clinical supervision and training to her for two and half years.
Bryan Martinez is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor. He graduated from Saint Mary’s College of California with a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Clinical Counseling with a dual specialization in Higher Education & Student Affairs. I recruited Bryan to join our team for the Fall 2021 semester and have provided clinical supervision and training to him for over three years.
Jenna Hornbuckle is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist. She graduated from Saint Mary’s College of California where she earned a Masters of Art degree in counseling psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. I recruited Jenna to join our team for the Fall 2022 semester and have provided clinical supervision and training to her for the last two and half years.
Tessa Kwan is now a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She received her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University. I recruited Tessa to join our team for the Spring 2021 semester to provide direct services to our students while she was an intern/Associate. I provided clinical supervision and training to her with a particular emphasis on mental health services to our AAPI community at Skyline. Tessa is trilingual, English, Cantonese and Mandarin and has clinical skills in trauma and substance abuse treatment. She now serves as a liaison to our International Student’s Program and she teaches a Counseling 100 class for Middle College.
Beginning in the Fall 2023 we developed a new site agreement with San Jose State University Masters in Counseling Psychology Program. I recruited the following exceptional graduate students:
Andrew Chakalian was a graduate student from San Jose State University, also a Veteran pursuing a Master’s degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Professional Clinical Counseling.
Veridiana Diaz is a Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor. She graduated from San Jose State University with a Masters of Arts in Counseling, Counseling and Guidance with a Pupil Personnel Services Credential. She began her internship in the Spring 2024 semester and has continued on in our department this academic year.
This academic year we have solidified an MOU with San Francisco State University graduate program Masters of Science in Clinical Psychology program. I recruited the following intern for the 24-25 Academic Year.
Marcela Hagen-Aguirre is a marriage and family therapist trainee, graduate student from San Francisco State University working towards her Masters in Science in Clinical Psychology. She comes to us with a wealth of community-based experience.
Additionally, I recruited and have mentored our diverse and exceptional Licensed clinicians who serve as our adjunct faculty:
Cristina Carella received her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at Santa Clara University and is a Licensed MFT. She has been working in community and school-based mental health settings since 2009 and has worked in diverse settings and populations.
Yesenia Villa is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Registered Art Therapist. She serves as an adjunct faculty counselor here at Skyline.