This article describes the design and implementation of an embedded therapy dog program through the counseling center at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. This program involves having a certified therapy dog present in the counseling center, in the waiting area, during counseling appointments, and during group therapy. It is discussed the…

When determining how best to help reduce the distress that exists among today's college students, it is believed that proactive, on-campus programming is a beneficial supplement to on-campus resources that are often utilized after concerns already exist. Helping students develop resiliency skills is one proactive measure that is believed to…

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. One effective strategy for suicide prevention is gatekeeper training. Gatekeeper training has been described as a prevention strategy that improves detection and referral of at-risk individuals. Purdue recognized that only some of the resident assistants (RAs) were receiving this…

Counseling centers need to be engaged and connected on their campuses, both to individuals and to multiple systems of students, faculty, and staff. Building a campus-wide "community of caring" or "web of caring" is essential to a strong, healthy, and vibrant counseling center. This article describes one university counseling…

This article describes Let's Talk, a counseling center outreach program. Counselors hold walk-in hours across campus to engage students who might not otherwise seek counseling. Locations are chosen to reach underserved communities. Counselors offer "informal consultation", a less formal alternative to traditional counseling.

This article introduces the use of the labyrinth as one systemic approach counseling centers can use when conducting outreach targeting the college community. The author discusses the labyrinth's history and its recent resurgence in professional settings, summarizes the principles of walking the labyrinth, illustrates its introduction on one…

Describes an outreach program of the counseling center at the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay. Tables where assistance was offered were placed in school corridors in buildings with heavy student traffic and paraprofessionals were trained to help provide more manpower. Results are very favorable. (HMV)

The university health center and counseling center combined efforts to create a campuswide sex education program that included seminars, appropriate physical examinations, and personal peer counseling. The program includes an evaluation component that has provided continuous data to be used for program reconstruction. (LA)

Multiracial individuals are a unique and rising population adding to diversity on college campuses. With a number of potential issues affecting multiracial individuals on a college campus, it is important for counseling center staff to become more involved with and knowledgeable on approaches to assist this increasing population. This article…

To combat student attrition, counseling centers must expand their programs by reaching out to students before emotional or academic problems begin. Special emphasis should be put on admission counseling, and term, mid-term and between-semester periods. (JAC)

A formalized consultation program has increased preventive mental health services at one midwestern university. A high priority on consultation and outreach services is needed. Staff, interns, and graduate students must be trained. The role of consultation/outreach activities in the broad university scheme must be evaluated. (Author/JAC)

Study examined cultural adjustment and psychological distress issues in Asian and Latin American international college students. Findings revealed Latin American students reported higher levels of psychological distress than their Asian peers. Length of residence in U.S. was negatively associated with psychological distress symptoms, and…

This study sought to understand the utilization rates and presenting concerns of international students in order to identify relevant topics for outreach programming. We examined the presenting concerns of all international students (n= 41) who sought counseling at a university counseling center during an academic year. The results indicated that…