Mission Statement
The mission of the Counseling Center is to facilitate student success and psychological well-being through culturally sensitive clinical services, outreach, and consultation. In keeping with the educational mission of the university, we also contribute to the mental health professions by serving as a training site for graduate students in psychology and counseling. We support the professional development of our staff and strive to embody the wellness we promote within the campus community.
Eligibility for Services
The Counseling Center provides clinical and outreach services for currently enrolled IUP students.
This includes:
- Any IUP student who is currently enrolled and has paid the Wellness Fee.
- IUP students who have withdrawn, but paid the Wellness Fee and are registered for courses during the next academic semester. These students may be eligible for limited services.
- Student present in Pennsylvania at the time of service (including telehealth appointments).
Services We Provide
The Counseling Center strives to provide effective and timely initial assessment, counseling, and referral services to IUP students. The specific services we provide include:
- Initial triage appointments through telehealth (in-person available by request)
- Short-term individual counseling
- Crisis services
- Consultation
- Group counseling
- Workshops
- Referral services
- Relationship counseling (all partners must by enrolled IUP students)
Examples
- Personal concerns: Stress and anxiety, depression, anger, loneliness, guilt, low self-esteem, grief
- Relationship concerns: Romantic relationship difficulties, sexual concerns, roommate problems, family issues
- Cultural concerns: Impact of oppression, power, privilege, identity, intersectionality
- Developmental concerns: Identity development, adjustment to college, life transitions
- Academic concerns: Performance anxiety, perfectionism, underachievement, low motivation
- Other concerns, which may include: Effects of trauma, sexual assault, abuse, family history, spirituality, body image, food preoccupation, healthy lifestyle choices
The Counseling Center invites all students to make an initial telehealth triage appointment to meet with one of our counselors and discuss their concerns. During this initial meeting, the counselor, in collaboration with the student, will recommend services within the Counseling Center or the community depending on the student’s individual needs, the Center’s scope of service, and availability at the time of assessment.
In order to use its resources most effectively, the Counseling Center utilizes brief counseling to assist students in addressing issues common in a college setting. Depending on utilization of the Center, session limits may be enacted for individual counseling. The number of group sessions and attendance in workshops is unlimited, as appropriate.
Services Outside our Scope
Students whose needs fall outside the scope of services or scheduling availability of the Counseling Center are referred to community resources. The Counseling Center provides referral services after the initial session or as these factors become more apparent during the course of services. The Center's clinical case manager can provide referral options to better meet a student’s needs and follow up to offer additional assistance in finding resources as necessary.
Some of the issues that are commonly addressed through referral to services outside of the Counseling Center for longer-term or more intensive counseling include:
- A history of multiple hospitalizations, chronic suicidality and/or self-injury behaviors; history of repeated suicide attempts
- Evidence or risk of progressive deterioration in mental or emotional functioning, requiring intensive intervention
- Indication that short-term therapy may be detrimental or non-beneficial
- Presence of psychotic symptoms without willingness to remain on medication for stabilization of symptoms
- Inability or unwillingness to provide the necessary information to thoroughly assess symptoms
- Presence of significant drug and/or alcohol problems such as substance dependence, primary substance abuse, and/or past failed treatments
- Presence of a long-standing eating disorder with no period of remission, no previous treatment, or which may pose a medical danger
- Students who engage in assaultive, harassing, verbally abusive, disruptive, or threatening behavior towards Center faculty/staff or other clients.
- Request for formal psychological evaluation for the purpose of employment clearance, determining eligibility for vocational rehabilitation or disability benefits, or documentation for emotional support or service animals.
- Learning disability, neuropsychological, or ADHD assessment
- Court-mandated assessment or treatment requirements
This description of the scope of services is intended as a guideline. The nature and complexity of presenting concerns and the broader context are considered in making the appropriate treatment recommendation(s). Cases are evaluated individually, and the professional judgment of the mental health provider(s) will determine the treatment decision in a particular situation.