Counseling Services

Oakton's Counseling Services seeks to provide a safe, inviting and inclusive environment. Our team honors and reflects the diversity that makes up our community, and we partner with each student on their path to mental health and wellness. Through free individual counseling, group therapy, events, workshops and resources/referrals we support current students (in-person and remotely) with identity-affirming and trauma-informed care. 

To make an appointment:

Call: 847.635.1885

Email: wellness@oakton.edu

Visit: Room 1200 (Des Plaines), Room B233 (Skokie)

Options for Support

Personal counseling is free and available to currently enrolled Oakton students.

Group counseling is free, and there are no session limits, but there are limited types of group therapy.

Wellness programming and events are free and open to the campus community.

As you prepare for your initial appointment, please know that some issues are beyond the Oakton Counseling team's scope or require longer-term care. In these cases, our role will be to support you with referrals.

Oakton's Counseling Team can connect you with a number of community resources. Behavioral/Mental Health resources are therapy practices in our local area. Emotional Distress/Crisis numbers respond to immediate needs. Online counseling services are website and app-based tools. Online databases are search engines that we recommend to find therapists suited for your particular issue.

Behavioral/Mental HealthEmotional Distress/CrisisOnline Counseling Services Online Databases to Search for a Therapist

If you or someone you know has attempted suicide and needs immediate medical attention, or suicide is imminent, call 911 immediately.

During regular operating hours, counselors are available to respond to crises and unexpected events that impact students. To connect with a counselor during a crisis, contact the Wellness Center at either campus at 847.635.1885 or stop by the Wellness Center, Room 1200, Des Plaines, or Room A175 Skokie. After hours, please contact Oakton's Public Safety.

Emergency/Crisis Numbers:

  • Emergency - call 911
  • Suicide and Crisis Support Line - call or text 988
  • Oakton's Public Safety - call 847.635.1888

Online Resources

Mindwise Logo.

Assess your thoughts, moods, and actions to gauge shifts in your behavioral health with MindWise. After this brief questionnaire, you will receive immediate and anonymous results. It will also provide access to resources and key recommendations.

Take the MindWise screening 

Togetherall logo.

Togetherall is an online community where you can connect with other students facing similar mental health challenges, receive support and feel less alone. Trained healthcare professionals are available as wall guides 24/7.

Use your Oakton e-mail to sign-up for free.

Join Togetherall

Outreach, Programming and Events

In addition to the clinical services we offer, the Wellness Center also promotes better health for mind and body through campus-wide programming and to specific groups upon request. Programming takes many formats including awareness and screening events, information tabling, virtual interactive games, wellness giveaways, film screenings, and workshops. 

Upon request, Wellness Center staff can also design and provide outreach or programming to specific campus groups on topics such as stress, coping with loss, procrastination, sexual assault, mindfulness, body image, etc. Please call 847.635.1885 or email us at wellness@oakton.edu to inquire.

Check back here for upcoming events:

Counseling Staff

Our counselors are ready and eager to help you. All counselors are available remotely and at the campuses listed below.

Mel Battistoni
(they/them), M.S.Ed., LCPC - Des Plaines
Clinical interests: LGBTQIA+, neurodiversity, identity exploration, eating disorders, relational psychotherapy, group therapy

Mark Kiel
(he/him), Clinical Psychologist - Des Plaines
Clinical interests: identity issues, group dynamics, eating disorders

Keith Morgan
(he/him), LCSW - Des Plaines and Skokie
Clinical interests: life transitions, trauma, men's mental health, LGBTQA+ students

Katia Muñoz
(she/hers), MSW, LSW - Des Plaines and Skokie
Clinical interests: LGBTQIA+, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) mental health, trauma, relationships, identify and personal growth
Bi-lingual: English and Spanish

Rebecca Hamilton Niño
(she/hers), MA, LCPC - Des Plaines
Clinical interests: trauma, nervous system regulation, relational psychotherapy, wellness programming

Herma Prieto
(she/hers) - Des Plaines Counseling Service Assistant

Johnique Smith 
(she/hers), M.A., NCC - Des Plaines and Skokie
Clinical interests: Anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, stress management, relationship and family issues, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color)

Amy Wu
(she/hers), MS, LMFT - Des Plaines and Skokie
Clinical interests: BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) mental health, immigration and acculturation, racial trauma, relationship and family issues

Amy Wu (she/hers)
"Whether you are a young adult managing classes on top of other responsibilities, a parent returning to school to explore additional career options, or a recent immigrant adjusting to life in a new country, you will find a safe place in my office to share your story, receive validation and support, and feel empowered to take action steps towards your goals. I look forward to being a part of your journey here at Oakton!"

Amy Wu (she/hers)

Counselor, MS, LMFT - Des Plaines and Skokie

Johnique Smith (she/hers)
"Navigating college at any age can be daunting. With the added layers of life's challenges, success can sometimes seem nearly impossible. I am fortunate to provide students with a comfortable environment to express their challenges and celebrate their wins uniquely and authentically. Counseling is not one-size-fits-all. It is an experience for celebrating growth and uniqueness."

Johnique Smith (she/hers)

Counselor, M.A., NCC - Des Plaines and Skokie

Katia Muñoz (she/hers)
"Being a counselor at Oakton College, it is a privilege to be able to support students' mental health from different identities and cultures and hold space to navigate many challenges life brings to students. Whether you are a returning student, a parent, first generation, I am dedicated to making sure students feel safe and validated while also helping them build skills to handle challenges inside and outside of college."

Katia Muñoz (she/hers)

Counselor, MSW, LSW - Des Plaines and Skokie

Mel Battistoni (they/them)
"College is a time of transition and counseling provides a safe space to explore the changes you want to make in your personal life. I work to build a compassionate relationship with students that supports them through challenging or dark times, while also celebrating their successes and joy."

Mel Battistoni (they/them)

Counselor, M.S.Ed., LCPC - Des Plaines

Rebecca Hamilton Niño (she/her)
"I feel very fortunate to be able to witness students' unique stories and support their process toward change, healing, and growth. It’s fascinating to see how sometimes very small shifts like being able to express authentic feelings or behave more in line with our true values can have a big impact on our overall development and success as a student."

Rebecca Hamilton Niño (she/her)

Counselor, LCPC - Des Plaines

Counseling Services

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Oakton's counselors do not provide psychiatric services. Therefore, they cannot prescribe medication. If psychiatric services are recommended, counselors will explore treatment options and referrals in the community.

No. If couples counseling is recommended, counselors will explore treatment options and referrals in the community.

Many seek counseling because they need help managing the challenges we all experience at one time or another. Seeking outside help from a trained professional is a good way to work through a difficult time.

Counseling records are kept separate from all other Academic records to ensure your confidentiality. Records are maintained in an electronic database stored in a secured, password-protected environment and accessible only to Oakton counseling staff.

Information obtained during counseling sessions is not disclosed to anyone without your knowledge and written consent. If you do provide written consent allowing us to disclose information, you may cancel that (in writing) at any time. Once we have received your cancellation, we will not disclose any additional information.

The only exceptions to these strict confidentiality rules are rare instances where psychologists and counselors are required to reveal information by federal, state, or local laws. These exceptions come into play when:

  • We believe there is a substantial likelihood that a client will cause serious physical harm to himself or another person unless protective measures are taken. In these cases, Illinois law mandates that the parents of dependent students must be notified.
  • We have reasonable cause to believe that a child is being abused or neglected, or an aged or incapacitated adult is being subject to abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
  • We receive a court order upon good cause shown or in compliance with a subpoena.
  • We are approached by authorized federal officials for information related to national security and intelligence activities. By law, we may not be able to reveal to the client when we have disclosed such information to the government.
  • We need to seek legal advice from Oakton's policy and legal affairs advisor.
  • The parents of a minor (i.e., a student who is under the age of 18) request information.

Social Networking and Confidentiality
Oakton counseling staff will not accept friend or contact requests on social networking sites from clients or students with whom they have professional relationships (including trainees and student employees). This policy exists to minimize the potential for online relationships that could compromise client confidentiality and the privacy of both clients and staff.