Thiel College - Counseling Center (cc)




	Thiel Home Student Life Home Counseling Center Newsletter Office of Disability Services Student Health Services		Current Students > Counseling Center Welcome! It is the hope of the Counseling Center that these pages will offer you useful information about the services and programming we provide to the students and College community. Our goal is to promote the individual and academic success of all Thiel College students, while addressing their personal and/or emotional concerns. The links below provide important information that will help with any questions you may have relative to counseling, contact information, hours, location, after hours or emergencies, confidentiality, and consultation to parents and faculty. Thanks for visiting! For more information, download the Committed to Safety and Wellness brochure. Melanie Broadwater, MA, LPC, NCC Mission Statement \| Contacting the CC \| Hours and Appointments \| Services and Programming Emergency and Same-day Service \| What is counseling? \| Appropriate reasons to seek counseling The First Appointment \| Confidentiality \| Requests for Information \| Parent/Faculty Consultation ULifeline \| Resources Mission Statement It is the mission of the Counseling Center to promote the success and academic performance of students at all stages. This is accomplished by providing an appropriate range of counseling services designed to assist in their adjustment to college life, and contribute to their efforts in resolving issues that are vital to healthy emotional development, as well as necessary for coping with personal difficulties, issues or crisis. This mission allows for a special kind of learning to occur; one which is intended to deepen the student's self-awareness and self-understanding , thus promoting the necessary personal growth, while facilitating the resolution of current concerns and contributing to the prevention of similar types of concerns in the future. --back to top-- Contacting the CC The Counseling Center is located on the first floor of the Howard Miller Student Center (HMSC). The Counseling Center is staffed by a licensed professional counselor—Melanie Broadwater, MA, LPC, NCC. Counseling services are free to all enrolled Thiel College students. The goal of our counseling center is to help students explore any personal concerns or problems they may have in a safe and confidential setting. Mailing Address: Thiel College Counseling Center Howard Miller Student Center 75 College Avenue Greenville, PA 16125 Phone: 724-589-2754 Email: mbroadwater@thiel.edu Fax Number: 724-589-2010 --back to top-- Hours and Appointments Hours: Student Appointments: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday Please note: The CC is closed on weekends and on Thiel College holidays. After hours, weekends, or holidays, please call Public Safety at 724-589-2222 for help. Appointments: Option 1: Call extension 2125 from on campus (or 724-589-2125) to get in touch with Patti Leipheimer (Student Life receptionist) to schedule an appointment. Option 2: Feel free to stop by the counseling center to request an appointment. Option 3: Contact the counselor directly at 724-589-2754 or mbroadwater@thiel.edu. --back to top-- Services and Programming Initial consultation (first appointment) Individual counseling Topic-specific programming for groups Group counseling Team Interventions Administration and Faculty consultation Referrals to community resources --back to top-- Emergency and Same-day Service Same-day counseling services for crisis intervention are available through the CC for the counselor to assist students in acute personal crisis. If you believe that you or another student should be seen at CC the same day for a crisis, please call CC at 724-589-2754 immediately. If it is after hours, a weekend or a Thiel College holiday, please call Public Safety at 724-589-2222. Crisis Hotlines: Mercer County Crisis Hotline - (724) 662-2227 National Suicide Prevention Hotline - 1 (800) 273-TALK --back to top-- What is counseling? Counseling is the professional practice of helping, devoted to restoring mental and emotional health. It is short term, individual treatment that assists in addressing developmental and situational issues and concerns. The Counseling Center counselor provides an opportunity for students to freely explore concerns or problems that they may not want to discuss with family or friends. When the Center is unable to provide the kind of assistance you need, we will assist in making a referral to an appropriate outside provider. --back to top-- What are appropriate reasons to seek counseling? There are a variety of reasons students may seek counseling. These include but are not limited to: Changes in mood state such as feelings of anxiety or depression Relationship or family stressors Drug or alcohol issues Grief/loss Difficulty adapting to college life or expectations Personal or academic stressors Self-esteem issues When uncertain as to whether or not the CC may be of benefit to you, do not hesitate to contact the counselor to discuss your concern or problem. --back to top-- The First Appointment At the first appointment the student and counselor will meet to discuss what issues or concerns have led the student to seek counseling. During this visit, the counselor and student will spend time getting to know one another, help the counselor to understand the student’s concerns and identify what type of services best fit the student needs. Plans for a return appointment will be made based upon the student’s need, interest and motivation for counseling. The counselor will be able to be an objective listener and be of support during a difficult time. Some students see asking for help as a weakness; however, seeking help is a sign of maturity and responsibility. College life brings about many transitions; it is common that feelings of loneliness, homesickness or feelings of anxiety or depression are seen in college students. Feeling unsure or not understanding your feelings, relationship issues, conflicts with others, or sexuality concerns are all reasons to seek help. It is helpful to talk to someone who can offer a different perspective. One thing is for sure, everyone feels these feelings at some time in their life. That is where counseling can help. If you are feeling like this, call the CC for an appointment. --back to top-- Confidentiality The CC and Student Health Services are under the administrative direction of the Dean of Students, Division of Student Life and any shared communication is the decision of the student. Any information that you discuss with your CC Counselor is strictly confidential. Therefore, no information will be released to anyone, without your written consent, nor will it become part of your academic record. Exceptions to confidentiality are legally mandated, in the case of life-threatening danger to self or another person, report or suspicion of current child or elder abuse, or molestation. The CC records can be subpoenaed, if there is sufficient cause is demonstrated in a court of law. Your CC counselor can answer any questions you have about confidentiality. The laws, mandates and ethical guidelines of the American Counseling Association govern the professional actions of the CC counseling professionals. Visit the American Counseling Association website for more information: www.counseling.org. --back to top-- Requests for Information No information may be released unless a signed Release of Information form accompanies the request for information. The request needs to specify: Student identifying information: name, date of birth, address of student name and address of the professional's office to which the information is to be released description of the specific information authorized to release reason(s) for the release of information The CC will release information directly to a mental health professional, attorney or insurance agency representative. It is the policy of CC to release only specified information that is appropriate and in the best service of our clients. Any request for information from CC must be specifically and clearly stated. Information requests will be granted in a timely manner. --back to top-- Parent Consultation Inquiries by concerned or interested parents are welcomed at CC. The Counselor is available to discuss any concerns they may have regarding their Thiel College student at 724-589-2754. Parents are advised that for students, complete confidentiality applies. For students who receive services at CC, no information will be released to anyone without the student's consent and a signed Release of Information form. Specifically, no information pertaining to a student will be discussed with a parent unless the student has signed a Release of Information form permitting the counselor to share information with the parent. CC is not at liberty to confirm or deny attendance or disclose any information. What the CC counselor can provide is general consultation that is specific to your concerns, suggestions and recommendations on how best to enhance your student's well-being, as well as ways to encourage your student to visit CC when appropriate. Other on-campus services that are available to your student may be presented as complimentary sources of assistance. You know your student better than anyone, and you are most often the first place a distressed student will turn to for help. Please recommend CC as a resource to your daughter or son, and please do not hesitate to call the CC counselor if the need arises. --back to top-- Faculty Consultation CC offers consultative services to college administration, faculty and support personnel for training needs or consultation upon request. Please call 724-589-2754 or email mbroadwater@thiel.edu for more information. --back to top-- ULifeline ULifeline is an anonymous and confidential online resource which provides reliable information about a variety of mental health topics specifically pertaining to college students. Topics discussed include depression, anxiety, suicide, cutting, substance abuse, stress, eating disorders, etc. Information is also provided on ways to help a friend who may be struggling emotionally or engaging in risky behaviors. Visit their website to learn more. --back to top-- Resources Information on mental health and substance abuse treatment facilities throughout the United States can be found online here. For educational information on substance abuse treatment, as well as education on specific substances, visit this website.