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The Center for Counseling and Psychological Services

307 Pratt Hall

724. 357. 2621

www.iup.edu/counselingcenter

Office of Outreach and Consultation

Outreach/Consultation Coordinator:

Elizabeth A. Kincade, Ph.D.

Outreach

The Center for Counseling and Psychological Services' outreach programming is just what the word implies: it represents our commitment to reach out beyond our office walls to the IUP community. In presenting our psycho-educational workshops, seminars, and events, we have the goal of helping IUP students be as strong and self-aware as possible. If we can help students learn about stress management before they get too stressed-out, about eating problems before they get too caught up in their diets, about getting help for depression before they've been depressed all semester, then we can help keep small problems from becoming larger.

Services available in this area include:

Workshops, seminars and series designed to enhance student effectiveness in personal and academic situations. These events may take place in the classroom, in the Residence Halls, through student groups and organizations and in other venues on campus.
Workshops, seminars and series designed to enhance faculty, professional staff and other IUP Community members’ effectiveness in working with students experiencing psychological difficulties.
Workshops, seminars and series designed to enhance overall faculty, professional staff and IUP Community effectiveness. This includes programs on conflict resolution, stress management and others as requested.
Dissemination of information about campus and community resources and referral procedures.
Training of students who work in peer advising or educational situations with individual students (Resident Assistants, Peer Educators, Work-Study students etc.)

Consultation

Consultation helps students, faculty, and staff deal with professional and personal situations that involve another person or group.

In consultation, the situation is explored and people obtain relevant information to make decisions, gain new perspectives on problems, and learn about available resources.

Consultation is a time-efficient, problem-solving process and an opportunity to build skills. Depending upon the issues involved, consultation may consist of one fairly brief discussion or several discussions over a period of time for more complex issues. In some situations, an intervention may be developed and presented to those involved in the situation.

Consultation occurs at both individual and group levels and can address the pressures of work, interpersonal dynamics, and relationships with supervisors, supervisees or peers. Group interventions can address team building, communication, and conflict resolution.

Resources are also available to help faculty and staff understand student development issues, facilitate student learning, deal with difficult student issues, and make appropriate referrals.

Consultation can be provided in person or by phone.

Consultation usually addresses and helps with the following concerns:

· Clarifying a problem

· Response to special needs of students at times of situational concerns or campus crises

· Making appropriate referrals

· Improving communication

· Leading groups

· Reducing stress

· Developing problem-solving strategies

· Understanding alternative views

· Dealing with anger and frustration

· Reducing/resolving conflict

· Helping students succeed

· Obtaining an expanded perspective

· Using time efficiently

Commitment to Diversity

Our outreach and consultation office targets community issues as well as individual issues. One of the most important community issues is diversity. We consider attention to diversity issues—whether they relate to race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or class—to be centrally relevant to our mission as a service. Given the impact of racism, sexism, heterosexism and other biases on self-esteem, personal development, and interpersonal dynamics, it seems self-evident to us that this would be so.

Crisis and Emergency Services:

Faculty members in the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services are available from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday to handle the needs of students in crisis.

This is separate from the Outreach and Consultation function of our Center. If you are an IUP faculty member or other member of the IUP Community, and you have urgent questions about a student who needs immediate attention, please call 724.357. 2621 and our faculty psychologists and staff members will help you with these issues.

Additionally, the Center houses the Haven Project counselor for sexual assault and abuse issues. If a student wishes services for these concerns, please refer her or him to Christine Butler, M.A. at the counseling center. We offer immediate services for these students during our normal working hours. Again, the number is 724. 357. 2621

Setting Up a Workshop or Consultation

Because we are a busy agency we need at least two weeks to schedule a workshop for a class or other groups.

Once you know when you would like your workshop/consultation, contact Dr. Elizabeth Kincade (or leave a message with the receptionist). Email is the most efficient communication for this process.

We urge you to act proactively and use our outreach and consultation services before emergencies and crises occur. Remember we have training available for individuals and groups on how to help students in distress and how to make appropriate referrals.

Any questions, please feel free to contact us.

The Center for Counseling and Psychological Services

307 Pratt Hall ----- 724. 357. 2621

Office of Outreach and Consultation

Correspondence regarding this site should be sent to its maintainer, Eric Rosenberger. Please see IUP's statement regarding pages that do not officially represent the university.