Q&A Series: Counseling Services to Operate Entirely Online in Fall

As part of the live Q&A series from Student Affairs, students heard from Counseling Services about changes for the fall semesters at 4 p.m. on Monday. Robin Torres, assistant dean of student engagement and leadership, and two staff members from Counseling Services led the session. Participants could submit private questions to Torres, who read them aloud for Marisa M. Moore, PhD, and Matteo Undici-Spitzer, LCSWR, to answer. 

Counseling services will operate entirely remotely in the fall, utilizing WebEx and phone consultations. Moore said that the college must abide by current state guidance prohibiting mental health services from seeing patients in-person. She then highlighted some of the benefits of remote counseling. 

“In some ways, we’re even more accessible now,” Moore said. “There’s more immediate response and flexibility ... our goal is making it more accessible for all students.”

New students should contact the reopening hotline or email, or visit the counseling services website. Any matriculated student, regardless of insurance provider or location, can request a free consultation with Counseling Services to match them with services in their area or at Marist depending on state licensure laws. While the center may not be available for traditional counseling, there will be an opportunity to talk with someone at all times, and students will have online access to any programs that are “drop-in.

Despite sessions occurring solely online, there will be rotating staff coverage in the campus office for mental health crises. Similar to during a typical school year, for a mental health crisis between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., students can contact the crisis line. After 5:00 p.m., they can call Marist Safety & Security, who will redirect them to the counselor on-call. Counseling services will also update their website to include links to national hotlines. 

“We’re looking to provide as many resources, support and opportunities to get information as we can,” Spitzer said. 

Any students experiencing anticipatory anxiety about returning to campus or the school year can contact Counseling Services to connect with a counselor prior to the start of the academic year. During the school year, Counseling Services will continue to offer a virtual open clinic every day as well as groups and workshops, such as the “Settling In” group offered at the beginning of the semester. 

Another common concern was privacy. For students with these apprehensions, Moore said that the center is working to create designated spaces for students to work with their counselors or home provider. After acknowledging the limitations of telehealth, Moore reaffirmed its benefits and empathized with students.

“We hear you. We feel the same way, and we look forward to a time when we’ll be able to pivot to in-person,” Moore said. 

Torres directed any unanswered questions to the reopening hotline and to the FAQ section of the reopening website. She said that the department will try to post a recording of the Q&A session for students who could not attend the session.

Source: Sydney Kysar