Counseling Services

College Counseling Center

Wilson College Counseling Center offers a range of services.  Counseling Center staff is comprised of a full time licensed professional counselor, a part time licensed professional counselor,  a board certified consulting psychiatrist, and graduate students interning in college counseling graduate level programs. In all cases, interns are supervised by a licensed mental health professional.

Counseling services are free to all currently enrolled Wilson students who are pursuing a degree. Psychiatric services with our consulting psychiatrist are also free during the academic year for currently enrolled Wilson students. In order to receive continuing services with the consulting psychiatrist, the student MUST commit to regular sessions with a counselor.

The counselor's primary focus is on personal counseling through a self-referral system.  Appointments can be set up via phone ext. 3235 or by email. Both individual and group therapy are available to students at their request.

The Counseling Center integrates the philosophy of the honor principle by reinforcing the need for women to be assertive by being honest with themselves and each other. The counselor's goal is to inform and empower students so that they can take charge of their own mental health and well-being.

Some students are skeptical of counseling because of past experiences, or because they do not believe that their concerns are appropriate for counseling.  The Counseling Department can also provide referrals for those who need specialized assistance or are new to the area and don’t know where to go with questions.

As a women-centered college, the counselor addresses women's issues on a regular basis through workshops, special programs and teaching, and often works in collaboration with health, career, and residence life services to develop preventive programs that include, but are not limited to: depression, sexual assault awareness, sexual health, eating disorders, nutrition, body image, and diversity.

About our Staff

Cindy Shoemaker is a proud 1977 graduate of Wilson College, so it is an honor to be serving Wilson students as a staff member.  Cindy holds a Masters of Science degree from Shippensburg University in Mental Health Counseling.  She is a National Certified Counselor and a PA Licensed Professional Counselor.  Before coming to Wilson as Director of Counseling, Center owned a mental health private practice in Chambersburg.

Kim Crider is a part-time counselor at Wilson and also owns her business as a Certified Health Coach. She lives in Chambersburg with her husband and 5 year-old son, while her 25 year-old daughter lives in Atlanta. Kim graduated from Penn State Harrisburg with a MA in Clinical Psychology. She loves anything to do with creating a healthy life!

Nitarah Satyamurthy is a part-time counselor at Wilson. She graduated from Shippensburg University with a Master’s Degree in College Counseling. During her time there, she interned in
the counseling center of Wilson College where she developed a strong desire to continue with Wilson’s women. When not working at Wilson, Nitarah is full time drug and alcohol counselor at an outpatient treatment center. Nitarah enjoys working with students with substance abuse issues, family conflicts, and on goals setting and adjustment issues.

Dana Berg is currently earning a Masters of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling at Shippensburg University.  She has experience working with adolescents, adjudicated youth, and college students, in a variety of settings.  She has a passion working with college students in a counseling setting, as well as in group settings. Her experience includes drug and alcohol as well as career counseling.  In her free time, Dana enjoys being with friends and family, relaxing, listening to music, and cooking.

Tiffany Smith is currently a graduate student at Shippensburg University and working toward a degree in College Counseling. Tiffany has a special interest in substance abuse/addiction counseling and hopes to go on to earn a PhD in this area. In her spare time, Tiffany enjoys relaxing with friends and family. She also enjoys trying new foods, visiting museums, and
watching movies. Tiffany is also an avid Philadelphia sports fan.

Helpful Resources

How do I know if I need Counseling?

Counseling may be of help to you if you feel concerned about:

• Where you are going with your life...goals...future plans.
• Picking the wrong friends, or other relationship issues.
• Something you have never told anybody, but feel like now you need to.
• Studying. You do your homework, but don't seem to learn.
• Not knowing how to study. The fact that you received all "A"s and "B"s in high school and now are on academic probation.
• Deciding on a major.
• How to make responsible choices regarding alcohol and drug use.
• Feeling like you can't go on. Feeling like it might be better off to not live any more.
• Thinking that things always go wrong or not as you intended.
• The fact that you were popular back home and now don't seem to be able to meet people in college.
• Feeling sad or depressed most of the time.
• Needing some help with a physical or learning disability.
• Either eating too much or too little, or obsessive concerns about weight or body image.
• Feeling stressed out or anxious, or worrying too much.

If you feel that any one of these applies to you, you may find it helpful to come to the Counseling Center and talk it over with a counselor.  Everything you share with a Counselor is kept in STRICT CONFIDENCE!!

Drug and Alcohol Issues

Following are some websites that might be helpful resources for drug and alcohol issues:

• http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/
• http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/
• http://www.nida.nih.gov/
• http://www.pennsylvaniadrugrehabs.com/
• http://www.drugrehablocator.com/
• http://www.treatment4addiction.com/

Eating Disorders

Following are some websites that might be helpful resources for eating disorders:

• Ideas and Inspirations for Eating Disorder Recovery

  · http://www.something-fishy.org/

  · http://www.mirror-mirror.org/

  · http://www.eatingdisorderinfo.org/

• · http://www.edreferral.com/

• · www.angelfire.com/bc/peacelovehope/index.html

  · http://www.edcdenver.com/

  · http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

  ·  http://www.magnolia-creek.com/

Domestic Violence and Abuse Issues

Following are some websites that might be helpful resources for domestic violence and abuse issues:

• www.datehookup.com/content-understanding-emotional-abuse.htm
• www.utexas.edu/student/cmhc/booklets/relatvio/relaviol.html
• www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_types_signs_causes_effects.htm
• www.acadv.org/dating.html
• http://www.showmelovedc.org/

 

Mental Health Issues

Following are some websites that might be helpful resources for mental health issues:

• http://www.hopeline.com/
• http://www.whatadifference.samhsa.gov/
• http://www.mentalhealthrecovery.com/
  http://health.yahoo.net/events/living-with-depression
• http://healthline.com/health/depression
• http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
• http://www.mental-health-matters.com/
• http://www.revolutionhealth.com/
• http://www.autismresources.com/

LGBTQA Issues

Following are some websites that might be helpful for LGBTQA issues:

• http://www.youtube.com/user/itgetsbetterproject
• http://www.thetrevorproject.org/
• http://www.wegiveadamn.org/
• http://community.pflag.org/Page.aspx?pid=194&srcid=-2 (Use a local chapter of PFLAG)
• http://www.transgendercare.com/
• http://www.bisexual.org/resources.html
• http://www.meetup.com/  (Find local support groups, clubs and organizations)

Self- Injury

• Palace.net
• Self-Injury

Counseling Center Policies, Procedures and Confidentiality Statements

Counseling services are free to all Wilson students who are currently enrolled in a degree program.  Psychiatric services with our consulting psychiatrist are also free during the academic year for students who have been evaluated by a staff member of the campus counseling center. In order to get an appointment to see the consulting psychiatrist, you must have an intake session with one of the Wilson College Counseling staff.  In the case of a graduate intern making the referral, such referrals will be reviewed and approved by the Director of Counseling.  The Director of Counseling will make the determination if an outside specialty referral might be in the best interest of the student.  In some cases (ADHD testing and complicated medication management), the student might be referred to an off-campus resource. In order to receive continuing services with the consulting psychiatrist, you MUST commit to regular sessions with a counselor. If you cho0se to have your counseling appointments off campus, you will be asked to provide verification from the counselor that you attended appointments.

Wilson College Counseling Center does NOT accept court mandated counseling orders for our students. Information from a student's counseling file is not intended for the purposes of employment or forensic evaluations.  Counselors do not attest to the suitability of a client for a particular position or work environment or make judgments whether the client is a security risk.

Counseling and psychiatric services are done on an appointment basis, except in cases of an emergency.  To make an appointment, email counseling@wilson.edu or call 262-2021, or ext 3235 from campus.

Counseling sessions are 50 minutes in duration, unless previous arrangements have been made for longer sessions.  Appointments with the consulting psychiatrist are typically 20 minutes. Psychriatric evaluations are 1 hour appointments.

At your first appointment, you will be asked to complete some initial paperwork which requests relevant background information.  This helps the Director of Counseling to assess the services that will help serve your needs the best.

All counseling and medication management services are held in the strictest of confidence.   Wilson College Counseling supports and maintains confidentiality to the limits provided by Pennsylvania law and the professional ethics set forth by the National Board for Certification, the American Counseling Association, and the state board for licensing.  The Counseling Center maintains a separate confidential file which is NOT part of a student’s academic record. Information is released only when requested by the student in writing, except in rare instances, such as if a student poses a threat of serious harm to self or others, in accordance with professional ethics and state laws. The Dean of Students may request verification that a student is being seen at the Counseling Center.  Those requests will be answered ONLY whether or not a student is being seen; no information about the student’s issues or their counseling sessions will be disclosed.

At no time will the college counselor provide a written excuse for a student to be out of class.  In the case that a student would be unable to attend class due to a health or mental health issue or in the situation of an approved Medical Leave of Absence, this information would be passed along to faculty via the Dean of Students or Registrar. 

If you are unable to keep a scheduled appointment, or need to change a scheduled appointment, please give the Counseling Center a 24 hour notice (via email or phone), if possible.  If you do not show up for a scheduled appointment 2 times within a semester, you may lose the privilege of using the counseling services for the remainder of that semester.  If you commit to weekly sessions on a particular time and day of the week, and do not show up for one of these appointments, it might jeopardize you losing your weekly time. If you are more than 15 minutes late for a scheduled appointment, the counselor reserves the right to use the remaining time of that hour for other duties.  Effective August 18, 2008: If you do not give a 24 hour notice that you will not be keeping your appointment with the consulting psychiatrist, or if you do not show up, the Counseling Center reserves the right to charge you a fee of $20.00.  That fee must be paid by cash or check to the Counseling Center before you will be allowed to schedule another appointment with the consulting psychiatrist.  In addition, if you miss a scheduled appointment with the consulting psychiatrist, and you need a prescription written before the psychiatrist is on campus again, there will be a $10.00 fee, payable by cash or check to the Counseling Center

If you have any questions about the counseling services, the above policies, or in regards to the services you will be receiving, please do not hesitate to ask.

Cindy Shoemaker, LPC, NCC
Director of Counseling
ext 3235 cindy.shoemaker@wilson.edu

HELPFUL RESOURCES OFF CAMPUS

For an emergency that requires immediate attention, call Crisis Intervention 717-264-2555 or go to the Emergency Room at the Chambersburg Hospital and ask for a Crisis worker on duty. 

DRUG AND ALCOHOL COUNSELING/ASSESSMENT/GROUPS

Pyramid Healthcare
455 Phoenix Drive Chambersburg 717-261-9100
They participate with Highmark Blue Shield. They accept Access, and county funding.

Franklin/Fulton County Drug and Alcohol 425 Franklin Farm Lane Chambersburg     717-263-1256. Call for rates, insurances, eligibility, etc.

Roxbury Treatment Center 1-800-648-4673 (Shippensburg, PA) all levels of D&A care, including individual counseling, groups, inpatient, intensive outpatient.

AA MEETINGS
1-800-296-9289 district helpline (Cindy has schedule of all meetings)

Al-ANON AND AL-ATEEN MEETINGS
www.pa-al-anon.org
1-866-711-3359 (Cindy has schedule of all meetings)

SEXUAL ASSAULT, RELATIONSHIP VIOLENCE ISSUES

Women in Need
156 E. Queen Street Chambersburg    717-264-3056 (office to make an appointment for counseling).
Counseling services limited to domestic violence issues or sexual assault issues. All services are free. Children ages 5 and up.

HOTLINES

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255

Poison Control 1-800-222-1222

Women In Need 24 HOUR Hotline 717-264-4444

National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-4673

COUNSELORS FOR ADULTS - CHAMBERSBURG AREA

 (In alphabetical order)

Kathryn Brooks, PhD
9974 Molly Pitcher Highway, Suite 5, Shippensburg, Pa, 17257    717-532-9300
She accepts most insurances and has a sliding scale of $40-$80.00 for those who self pay.

Catholic Charities (you do not have to be Catholic, and this is not charity!)
336 Philadelphia Ave. Chambersburg     717-263-3765
Very liberal sliding scale ($10.00-$70.00, depending on income)

Cumberland Franklin Counseling Services
67 W. King St.   Shippensburg, PA   717-532-2196
They have three therapists on staff. Accept most insurances, including medical assistance.

Michael Flood Counseling and Testing Services, LPC
550 Cleveland Ave. Chambersburg 717-267-4357 http://www.michaelflood.org/
Individual, couples, and group counseling. Does not accept insurances at this point. 

Franklin Family Services
131 E. McKinley St. Chambersburg  717-267-1515
Accepts Access and Highmark Blue Shield. They have several therapists on staff, some of whom specialize in working with teens.

Ellen Gigliotti, LMFT
145 E. King Street Chambersburg. 717-377-0869 ellenmft@comcast.net
She specialize in couples therapy, but also sees individuals 16 and above of both genders. Self pay sliding scale is $50.00-75.00.

Kevin Harney, LPC  38 Black Ave, Suite 1 Chambersburg 717-263-8339
Counseling for adolescents and adults, couples, and families. Accepts Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

Laurel Life Counseling    426 Phoenix Dr. Chambersburg,  717-261-9833
Ten clinicians on staff with a variety of degrees and specialties. They participate with most insurances. http://www.manito.com/

David Longacre  Chambersburg, PA   717-261-7539
Faith-based counselor who specializes in sexual addictions                                                                                         

Lutheran Counseling Services (You do not have to be Lutheran)
43 W. Washington Street Chambersburg    717-263-9093
They do not accept Access Card. They have a sliding scale which starts at $45.00 per session. They accept Blue Cross, Highmark Blue Shield, UBH, Quest, and Value Options, and Signa.. They have 4 therapists on staff with a variety of degrees and specialties.

Pathways Counseling Services 19 S. Main Street Chambersburg 717-263-7758
They have 6 therapists on staff with a variety of degrees and specialties, including play therapy. They participate with most insurances, including Access. They have a sliding scale which ranges from $65.00 to $115.00.

Pennsylvania Counseling Services  75 S. Main St. Chambersburg (within walking distance of campus)   717-261-1426
Counseling for all ages, 5 and up. They accept most insurances, including Access.

Lynda Shirar, LMFT
375 Floral Avenue, Suite 114 Chambersburg   717-261-7879
Counseling for children (6 and up), adolescents, adults, and families. Accepts most insurances.
For self-pay clients, sliding fee scale from $50/hour.

Spectrum Health and Wellness 1128 Kennebec Dr. Chambersburg 717-263-0307
Accepts Medical Assistance only. Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Play Therapist, and counselors on staff.

(in alphabetical order)

Frances Leiter Center  539 Lincoln Way East Chambersburg  717-264-8552
Specializing in play therapy, ages 2-18, and filial therapy. Accepts Access Card and some insurances. Sliding scale based on income.       

 Laurel Life Counseling    426 Phoenix Dr. Chambersburg,  717-261-9833.
They participate with most insurances.

Jessica Santora, LPC children 6 and up

Dr. Bernadette Cachara, PsyD children 3 and up

Lutheran Counseling Services  43 W. Washington Street Chambersburg 717-263-9093
They do not accept Access Card. They have a sliding scale which starts at $45.00 per session. They accept Blue Cross, Highmark Blue Shield, UBH, Quest, and Value Options, and Signa..

Donna Roland, Certified Play Therapist

 Pathways Counseling Services 19 S. Main Street Chambersburg 717-263-7758

They participate with most insurances, including Access. They have a sliding scale which ranges from $65.00 to $115.00.

Deann Blankenship-Sanders, LPC, registered play therapist (children 3 and up)

Becky Allen Mitchell, MS, NCC   children ages 2 and up

Keri Spedding, LPC children ages 5 and up

 Lynda Shirar, LMFT
375 Floral Avenue, Suite 114 Chambersburg   717-261-7879Counseling for children (6 and up), adolescents, adults, and families. Accepts most insurances. For self-pay clients, sliding fee scale from $50/hour.

 Pennsylvania Counseling Services  75 S. Main St. Chambersburg (within walking distance of campus)   717-261-1426 Counseling for children, 5 and up. They accept most insurances, including Access.

 Spectrum Health and Wellness 1128 Kennebec Dr. Chambersburg 717-263-0307
Accepts Medical Assistance only. Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Play Therapist, and counselors on staff.  Melissa Grove, LPC – play therapist (ages 2 and up) and filial therapy

On CAMPUS SUPPORT GROUPS SPRING 2012