THE COUNSELING Center
CAMPUS CONCERN
973-618-3333
If you are concerned about a campus safety matter, someone's emotional health, or a friend's alcohol or drug use, dial ext. 3333 to leave an anonymous message which will be directed to the appropriate voice mailbox. Please note that this is not a crisis hotline.
Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared.
Eddie Rickenbacker (1890 - 1973)
The Counseling Center is dedicated to the enhancement of personal growth and is committed to the idea that an individual's emotional/psychological, spiritual, intellectual and physical well-being combine to make life satisfying. Professional counselors assist in helping students understand their abilities and potential, help students through changing circumstances and the transition from one stage of life to the next, and help students grow in the midst of personal difficulty.
A college environment is exciting and stimulating. It can also be stressful. Balancing classes, tests, work, relationships, family and friends can place new demands on time and energy. At times, students may feel overwhelmed. Many students find it helpful to discuss personal concerns with a professional counselor who takes the time to listen and understand. Counselors also assist students in setting goals, overcoming barriers, assessing resources and planning fulfilling, productive lives. A major tenet of counseling services is that personal awareness is an essential and integral part of a rewarding life.
EVENTS
Friday, September 9 Counseling Services will sponsor a Remembrance Wall in honor of the 10th anniversary of 9/11. The wall will be located in the Student Center and students and staff are invited to write their remembrances and other statements on the wall about the 9/11 tragedy.
Every Monday from 4:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M. beginning on September 12, Counseling Services will offer its popular He/Said, She/Said Group in the Cougar Den. Students will have the opportunity to discuss a host of intriguing relationship topics.
The week of September 19, Counseling Services will sponsor some events in recognition of Suicide Prevention Week. A discussion will be held about the movie The Truth About Suicide. Other events TBA.
Wednesday, October 5 from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. in the Hall of Flags, Counseling Services will sponsor its annual Mood-Check-ups in recognition of National Depression Screening Day.
Monday, October 24 at noon and 7:00 P.M. in the Alumni Theatre, Counseling Services will sponsor a speaker, Dennis O’Sullivan, a former NFL player for the New York Jets and Houston Texans. His talk entitled “True Performance” is focused on the ways in which heavy episodic drinking can effect students’ school and athletic performance. October 24 also marks National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, and outreach activities related to alcohol use will be planned for that week.
Week of November 7, Counseling Services is planning a Campaign that focuses on marijuana use (tentative).
Wednesday, November 16 from 11:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. in the Hall of Flags, Counseling Services will sponsor the Clothesline Project to honor survivors and victims of intimate violence. Any person who has experienced such violence is encouraged to come forward and design a t-shirt (victims’ families and friends are also invited to participate). We encourage everyone in the campus community to view this powerful display of t-shirts.
Tuesday, December 6 in the Cougar Den, Counseling Services will sponsor the Wall of Promise to commemorate victims of drunk driving (tentative).
Tuesday, December 13 from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. in the Hall of Flags, Counseling Services will bring in pet therapy dogs to help relieve students’ stress levels during finals week.
WHAT IS COUNSELING?
Counseling is a process of becoming more aware of choices and alternatives in order to address a variety of concerns. The interaction between counselor and student is a cooperative effort to meet personal, social, and educational goals leading to a greater sense of choice and a deeper sense of self-confidence.
HOW CAN COUNSELING HELP?
Most students come for counseling when they find their usual ways of managing problems aren't working. Others are interested in enriching their lives by learning more about themselves. Some reasons for seeking counseling might include:
- Feeling lonely and without friends
- Roommate problems
- Anxiety over studying or taking tests
- Out-of-control behavior
- Sense of depression
- Difficulties with family or other relationships
- Over-sensitivity
- Problems with eating and drinking
- Balancing work and school
- Feeling down about one's self
- Lack of direction in personal goals
SERVICES
Short-term Personal Counseling
Depending on a student's needs, he or she can meet with a professional counselor for one or two visits or throughout the semester. All appointments are free and confidential.
Group Counseling
Short-term groups are an excellent means of addressing shared issues and concerns in a confidential setting. Successful groups that the Counseling Center has offered include:
- Relationships Group
- Women's Issues Group
- Men's Issues Group
- Children of Divorce Group
- Freshman Group
- Crisis Response Group
Workshops
The Counseling Center is available to conduct workshops for students on a variety of topics.
Some of our workshops include:
- Stress and relaxation
- Time management
- Improving communication style
- Assertiveness training
- Recognizing signs of emotional distress
- Managing anger
- Dealing with life transitions
- Acquaintance Rape Prevention
SELF HELP RESOURCES
The Counseling Center's Self-Help Library contains a wide selection of books, audiotapes, videos, and pamphlets on a variety of mental health topics including, anxiety and stress management, sexual abuse, relationships, grief, eating concerns, personal growth, and other important issues. These materials are available to assist students in solving specific problems as well as to promote personal growth and development. Students can borrow these materials free of charge.
RESOURCES FOR FACULTY AND STAFF
If you are questioning whether a student might be a good candidate for receiving counseling, or if you need further information on making a counseling referral, please take a look at The Counseling Center Referral Guide for Faculty and Staff.
CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT
Confidentiality and trust are essential to the counseling process. Consequently, information shared during counseling and the identity of counseling clients will not be disclosed to anyone without the student's express (usually written) consent.
Conditions requiring exceptions to confidentiality occur very infrequently, and they are discussed with prospective clients prior to beginning counseling.
On-Line Screenings
Alcohol and Mental Health Screening
MAKING AN APPOINTMENT
The Counseling Center is located on the second floor of the Newman Center. Appointments can be arranged by phone at (973) 618-3307, in person, or by completing the online appointment request form (click here). We are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Evening hours are by appointment only.
A staff member from the Counseling Center will contact you to confirm whether your desired appointment time is available. If that time slot is not available, another appointment time will be arranged. In the case of an emergency, please contact a counselor directly by phone or walk-in.
Urgency of need is always taken into consideration when scheduling. If you are dealing with an emergency after hours, please call 911.
Robin Davenport,
M.S., NCC, LPC
Director of Counseling Services
Development Center
(973) 618-3905
Sr. Deborah Lynch ,
O.P., M.S.
Counselor, Substance Awareness
(973) 618-3305
Paulette Banko
Administrative
Assistant
(973) 618-3307
