Longwood University
Volume 7 Issue 1
CAPS: Counseling and Psychological Services By: Dr. Jenny Glass Campus Advocate/Mental Health Counselor Dear Longwood Parents and Families: I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself, my position, and the new services being offered at Longwood University. I joined Longwood University in July as the Campus Advocate/Mental Health Counselor in Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) after earning a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology in May 2015. I have experience in multiple settings, including community mental health, in-patient psychiatric units, and college counseling. While on internship with the Veteran’s Affairs, I received extensive training in evidence-based treatment of trauma. Here at Longwood, I serve a dual role. As a Mental Health Counselor, I work with students to help students generate solutions for issues such as anxiety, depression, adjustment or relationship issues, and recovery from trauma. Campus Advocates have existed at Longwood for some time; however, due to recent legislation changes by the Commonwealth of Virginia which required advocates to also be mental health professionals, I am now the designated Campus Advocate and provide a number of different services. I am available to assist students who have experienced sexual discrimination and harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, dating and relationship violence, as well as stalking and retaliation regardless of the location of the incident(s). In this role, I provide support, confidential counseling, advocacy services, and assist students in obtaining reasonable and appropriate resources when necessary. Students and responsible employees have been able to report gender-based crimes that fall under Title IX, which initiated a full investigation of the alleged misconduct. The addition of the Campus Advocate/Mental Health Counselor now offers students the opportunity to complete a Limited Report, during which I gather details of the nature, date, time, and general location of an incident, and report that information to the Title IX Coordinator without revealing generally identifiable information about the complainant. It should be noted that if the Title IX Coordinator deems the incident to pose a serious or immediate threat to the University, Longwood Police may be notified to issue a timely warning to the campus community. Any such warning will not include information that identifies the victim). Students who initially pursue a Limited Report may choose to initiate a full investigation at any time and trigger a Title IX investigation. Additionally, students may wish to speak confidentiality about an incident without initiating a report, which they may do with myself, any CAPS providers within the context of counseling, and medical staff at the student health clinic. Besides the new reporting options, I will also be leading a Trauma Support Group beginning in the spring semester of 2016. This group will provide a safe place for those who have experienced trauma to seek support from mental health professionals and peers. My goal with this group, and as the Campus Advocate/Mental Health Counselor, is to provide students with care that is sensitive to their experience and needs. I am honestly thrilled to have been able to join the Longwood community and I enjoy serving our students.
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