Counseling Services

1. The CHWC will continue to make counseling accessible to students via phone/video appointments.  For more information on how to contact us, please see below.

   1. Schedule a Phone or Video Counseling Appointment or Speak with a Counseling Staff Member

3. • Please call 973-720-2257 Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and leave your contact information. 
   • Staff will return all phone and email message requests between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Emails received after 4:30 p.m. or on weekends will be responded to by the next business day. 
   • Complete Consent for TeleHealth (Counseling) via the Student Health Portal. 
     • IF you are unable to access your Student Health Portal, then click here to get the printed version and submit that to wpuimmunization@wpunj.edu

2. Mental Health Emergency

• • To report a mental health emergency for yourself or someone you care about, please call our On-Call number, 973-720-2257 (24 hours, 7 days a week) and ask to be connected to a counselor. 
  • Emergency assistance is also available confidentially through the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
    2. 3. Emotional Well-Being and Self Care
    3. (drop down)

       • Suicide Prevention Life Line Emotional Well-Being during COVID-19 Outbreak

       https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/current-events/supporting-your-emotional-well-being-during-the-covid-19-outbreak/. 

    2. Services

       ○ Individual Counseling

       ○ Group Therapy

       ○ Psychiatric Services

       ○ Crisis Management

       ○ Consultation

       ○ Alcohol & Drug Assessment

    3. Examples of concerns for which students visit the Counseling Center

       ○ Academic stress

       ○ Time management

       ○ Concerns with self-esteem/self-doubt

       ○ Issues facing those identifying as transgender or gender non-conforming

       ○ Difficulties with friends or family

       ○ Unhappiness

       ○ Depression

       ○ Anxiety

       ○ Poor decision making

       ○ Eating-related problems

       ○ Assertiveness and conflict resolution

       ○ Anger management

       ○ Communication in relationships

       ○ Alcohol and other drug use

GROUP THERAPY is a confidential, unique experience that allows members to practice communication skills, experiment with new behaviors, and strengthen social peer connections. Group size is typically 8-10 members and 1-2 CHWC Professionals will be leading the group. Members listen, identify, and provide effective and supportive feedback on a variety of topics.

GROUP REFERRAL:  If a student shows interest in joining one or more of the groups listed below, please check off the group(s) that might be of interest and refer the student to CHWC. The student may also contact us directly at 973-720-2557 or visit CHWC located on the first level of Overlook South. The student will be given a consultation appointment with the group’s facilitator(s)

Group Offerings – Fall 2019

Interpersonal Group- Fridays: 10:15 am – 11:30 am -  Facilitated by Dr. Karen Nadel
A group of students (usually 6 – 8 people) who meet together weekly with one or two counselors to work through relational and interpersonal issues. This group aims to increase self-knowledge and effectiveness in interpersonal relationships, decrease shame and isolation, and develop self-compassion and self-acceptance in a safe and confidential environment. Each group session typically lasts for 75 minutes.

 Men’s Process and Support Group- Mondays: 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm - Facilitated by Dr. Richard Khan
Men's Process and Support Group specifically designed for men seeking greater self-understanding and satisfying personal relationships. The format includes education, discussion about men's issues and psychological distress, within the context of mutual support and interpersonal process (i.e., what is happening right here and right now in this immediate moment). Each group session typically lasts for 60 - 75 minutes

 Seeking Safety: A Drop-in Trauma Focused Coping Skills Group- Wednesdays: 10:00 am – 11:30 am - Facilitated by Elizabeth Battiston, MA, LPC, LCADC, NCC
Seeking Safety is a present-focused drop-in group that is open to individuals who identifies as female that are interested in healing from trauma, self-harming behaviors, and/or healing from substances abuse. Members should expect to learn how to integrate specific coping skills, grounding techniques, and education into their daily functioning that may help members attain safety. Individuals will also be able to learn ways to detach from emotional pain.

 Workshop for Managing Academic Stress-Thursdays: 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm - Facilitated by Kristen Pena, LCSW
This workshop is to help WPU students manage common academic, emotional, and social challenges that may interfere with their academic performance.  The workshop offer strategies for improving study skills, coping with time management and procrastination, managing stress and test anxiety, increasing assertiveness and managing social anxiety. The workshop is open to all students and is an important part of CHWC outreach and education efforts.

FAQ's About Counseling

• How do I make an appointment?

  Any currently registered student can call our appointment line at 973-720-2257, or come in person during normal business hours to request an appointment with a counselor. You will be asked to complete a brief screening questionnaire about your current concerns via phone or in person before scheduling your first appointment. Please note that the individual seeking counseling MUST schedule a counseling appointment directly. Same day appointments are available for mental health emergencies.

  Concerned parents, staff, or faculty seeking emergency referrals for a student should call the center to seek consultation first before referring a student for a same day appointment. Please ask to speak to the Triage Counselor at 973-720-2257.

• Is there a cost?

  The CHWC does not charge any fees for counseling sessions at this time.

• What happens when I come in for the first appointment?

  Please come in 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment to complete all intake paperwork. Your first visit with a counselor will consist of a 30-minute consultation visit. During the visit, you will have an opportunity to discuss your primary presenting concerns, learn about the counseling process, and explore options for treatment interventions and other university supports that may be of assistance to you. After the visit, you can make an informed choice about participating in ongoing counseling at our center or follow up with any external referrals provided to you by the counselor.

• What can I expect from counseling?

  The process of counseling requires a purposed and collaborative relationship between you and the counselor to address an identified problem or barrier affecting your personal functioning. Counseling is an educational, solution focused, and growth oriented process that may help increase your sense of self-efficacy and perspective to cope with or resolve the presenting concerns.

  During the course of counseling, you and your therapist will determine goals and contract to work during a specific number of sessions to promote growth. The CHWC utilizes a short-term treatment approach and treatment interventions will vary depending on the student and presenting issue.

  Counseling sessions can terminate at any point during the semester as a result of mutual consent between the student and counselor, consecutive nonattendance of visits, need for longer-term referrals or referrals for specialized care beyond the scope of services the CHWC can provide. Specific conditions for termination can be discussed during the initial visit.

• What happens if I have an emergency and need to reach a counselor?

  The CHWC provides a 24 hour emergency counselor service at 973-720-2257. The CHWC contracts with an answering service that operates during evenings, weekends and holidays to receive emergency calls. When you call the service, a counselor will be paged and return your call as quickly as possible. The full time clinical staff provides coverage to the on call on a rotating basis.

  The purpose of the on call service is to help provide students, families and the campus community with consultation and referral during a mental health emergency. It is not a substitute for ongoing therapy appointments.

• Is information about my counseling appointments shared with anyone else?

  Information about your attendance or participation in counseling is protected under federal HIPPA law. No counseling or health related information can be provided to any university or outside entity without your signed consent. However, emergency personnel may be notified in cases where a student makes a direct threat of homicide or suicide in accordance with NJ state law.

• I received a call or message from a counselor asking to speak with me. Why did this happen?

  There may be a time when you receive a call or message via the heath portal from our center because a member of the campus community has expressed some concern about your wellbeing and asked that we reach out to you. We view these contacts as opportunities for us to provide information to you about our services and to offer you support. Please take the time to return our call or message.

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