University Counseling Services

Division of Student Affairs

Survivor Support ServicesRams in Recovery

Virginia College Counseling Centers Conference JUNE 7, 2024 University Student Commons 907 Floyd Ave, Richmond, VA 23284 Virginia Commonwealth University

Schedule

8:30-9:30 – Breakfast -Commonwealth Ballroom

9:30- 10:00 - Welcome by VPSA - Commonwealth Ballroom

10:00 -11:00 Break Out Sessions

10:00 – 11:00 –   (Break out session)

The Impact of TimelyCare on the Operations of the Cook Counseling Center: Measuring Client Satisfaction and Access to Care 

Overview

Virginia Tech introduced a third-party telehealth service, TimelyCare to its student population in August 2022. The current study explored the impacts of TimelyCare on student satisfaction with services, on accessibility to mental health care on-campus, and on the operations of the Thomas E. Cook Counseling Center. 

Learning Outcomes

  1. Participants will be able to identify 3 trends in college mental health that can create barriers to care that telehealth services can help overcome
  2. Participants will understand general perceptions of telehealth by college students
  3. Participants will be able to discuss possible effects of telehealth on wait times, clinician case load, and number of appointments attended by students

Speakers

Lydia Qualls, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Assessment Coordinator, Virginia Tech Thomas E. Cook Counseling Center

Caitlyn Thelen, Psy.D., Resident in Psychology and Embedded Counselor for Pamplin College of Business, Virginia Tech Thomas E. Cook Counseling Center

Sarah Weber, Psy.D., Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California-Santa Barbara Counseling and Psychological Services

10:00 – 11:00 – Break out session 

Treating Trauma in Interpersonal Process Groups

Overview

A facilitated panel about treating trauma in interpersonal process therapy groups in a university counseling setting.  The panel will include 3-5 clinicians and the panel facilitator (myself) will ask pre-prepared questions around treating trauma in group for panelists to respond to.  There will also be time left for audience questions.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Debunk myths around treating trauma in group.
  2. Increase knowledge of conceptualization trauma treatment in a group setting.
  3. Learn interventions that can be used in group to help students presenting with trauma.

Speakers

Christina McFarland, PsyD, LCP, Licensed Staff Psychologist and Group Coordinator at Virginia Commonwealth University Counseling Services

10:00 – 11:00 – Break out session 

Working with Student-Athletes: Mindfulness, Compassion, and Outreach Efforts

Overview

This presentation focuses on important considerations for working with student-athletes on an individual and outreach level. We will focus on tips for navigating outreach efforts with Athletics Departments, specifically investigate the athlete mindset, and identify ways reframe mental health concepts for the student-athlete population.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Investigate important considerations in developing liasionships and outreach relationships with Athletics Departments
  2. Explore the impact of the athlete mindset on help seeking and mental health outcomes
  3. Discuss how to reframe mental health concepts such as mindfulness and compassion for the student-athlete population

Speakers

Ashley Sullender, MA, Doctoral Candidate, Doctoral Extern at the University of Mary Washington Talley Center for Counseling Services

11:15 -12:15 Break Out Sessions

11:15 - 12:15 – Break out session

A Comprehensive Group-Based Counseling Center Approach

Overview

This session will outline common barriers to successful group-based programming and offer helpful strategies to improve group-based programming as well as examples of services and interventions that have led to more comprehensive group-based care.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify two barriers to successful group-based programming
  2. Identify two system level strategies for improving group-based programming
  3. Identify two examples of comprehensive group-based programs

Speakers

Paul Pohto, Psy.D., LCP, HSP, Staff Psychologist - Group Coordinator, James Madison University

Karla Kale, M.Ed., Psychoeducational Outreach Specialist, James Madison University

11:15 - 12:15 – Break out session

Balancing Act: Promoting Self-Care for College Counseling Clinicians

Overview

This presentation will address the critical importance of self-care for college counseling clinicians.  Through didactic and experiential learning, participants will learn how to recognize signs of burnout and compassion fatigue, promote self-care in the workplace, understand the role of self-care in ethical practice, and explore creative avenues for self-care.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Understand the importance of self-care
  2. Recognize the signs and symptoms of burnout and compassion fatigue
  3. Promote self-care in the workplace

Speakers

Melissa Noble, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist, William & Mary Counseling Center

Julianne Davison, LPC, ATR-P, Staff Clinician, William & Mary Counseling Center

11:15 - 12:15 – Break out session

Inclusive Practices: Providing Therapy for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum

Overview

Discover 'Inclusive Practices,' a presentation equipping therapists with person-centered strategies tailored for individuals on the autism spectrum. Learn to provide adapted therapy and build therapeutic rapport to offer holistic support and empower individuals across the autism spectrum.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Comprehensively define Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), covering diagnostic criteria,
    subtypes, and common characteristics, to establish therapists' foundational
    understanding.

Speakers

Adam Moore MSW, LCSW, Outpatient Clinician, George Mason University

12:15-1:30 – Lunch (Keynote -starts at 12:30)

Presenter: Tara Nunley, LPC

Program Manager for the Campus Suicide Prevention Center of VA 

Topic: "Marcus Alert: From State Mandate to Valuable Resource”. The presentation will give a background and clear understanding of Marcus Alert and what the mandate requires of our campuses. It will also show ways in which the mandate will help fill in gaps and provide crisis response resources for all campuses regardless of the size or location.
Tara Nunley Key Note Speaker

1:45 - 2:45 Break Out Sessions

11:15 - 12:15 – Break out session

Using DBT Creatively in College Counseling and the Classroom

Overview

In 2018, Longwood University CAPS introduced skills-focused therapeutic interventions, with an emphasis on DBT. This presentation will review theoretical and logistical information about the ways in which CAPS has incorporated DBT skills into a series of well-being clinics and piloted a course that teaches mental health skills for academic credit.

Learning Outcomes

1. Participants will be able to identify key concepts of DBT
2. Participants will be able to apply principles of DBT to a variety of mental health issues and institutional settings
3. Participants will be able to develop strategies for incorporating DBT into existing clinical practice

Speakers

Jenny Retallick, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Trauma Specialist, Longwood University

 

 

1:45- 2:45 – Break out session

Thinking Outside the Box-and-1: A novel Model for Providing Mental Health Services to Intercollegiate Athletes

Overview

A novel approach to providing mental health access and services to intercollegiate athletes is provided and discussed. The model's creation, core features, strengths, potential pitfalls, and needs for further development will also be reviewed.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Participants will recognize the unique mental health challenges that are faced by intercollegiate student athletes.
  2. Participants will be provided with an overview of the literature regarding current trends in providing mental health services to university and college student athletes.
  3. Participants will understand the framework of the novel, "in vivo" model that is being proposed.

Speakers

Robert M. Kuschel, PhD, LPC, Director of Counseling, Regent University

1:45- 2:45 – Break out session

Beyond the Therapy Walls: A Peer Based Approach to Integrated Wellness

Overview

Using a sociocultural approach to care, this presentation will focus on the extension of traditional University Counseling Center treatment through Peer-Based Integrative wellness services.  

Learning Outcomes

  1. Describe Peer-Based model of care
  2. Identify two strategies to enhance cultural competency and provision of mental health services
  3. Identify two integrative wellness strategies

Speakers

Kristie Norwood, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, Hampton University, Student Counseling Center, Director

Frederick "Alton" Wampler, LPC; Assistant Director of Student Counseling

Jasmine Burgos, MA; Resident in Counseling

Myranda Thomas, MA; Resident in Counseling

3:00 – 4:15 – Round Table Discussions

4:15 - Closing

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