Georgia Tech Counseling Center Annual Report 2008-2009 by Ruperto Perez

Georgia Tech Counseling Center Annual Report 2008-2009 Division of Student Affairs Enriching the Educational Experience (E3)

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Executive Summary Counseling Center Annual Report 2008-2009

he mission of the Georgia Tech Counseling Center is to enhance the academic and personal experience and success of all students by providing a variety of counseling and psychological services to individuals and the greater campus community. The Counseling Center accomplishes its mission by offering services to students that facilitate personal development, assist in the alleviation, remediation, and prevention of distress, as well as services that educate students in ways that develop self-awareness, self-reliance, and self-confidence. The services at the Counseling Center are accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services (IACS).

The Counseling Center educates students for life by providing a variety of services and programs that are consistent and consonant with the strategic plan goals of the Institution and the Division of Student Affairs. Services include short-term counseling, group and couples counseling, assessment, crisis intervention as well as outreach and consultative programs. Through our range of services, the Georgia Tech Counseling Center contributes to overall student success and the Instituteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core vision to â&#x20AC;&#x153;define the technological research university of the 21st century and educate the leaders of a technologically driven world.â&#x20AC;? In addition, the Counseling Center sponsors a training program for graduate practicum students and pre-doctoral interns. The practicum training program offers supervised training experiences in providing direct psychological services to students and the campus community. The pre-doctoral internship training program is the capstone training experience for doctoral students in applied psychology. The internship training program offers training to those who are interested in gaining additional experience in working in a counseling center setting. The internship program attracts applicants from across the country who are matched with the Counseling Center through the National Matching Service. The pre-doctoral internship training program is a member of the Association of Psychology Pre-doctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC). The Center continues to work towards accreditation of the internship program by the American Psychological Association (APA). In 2008-2009, the Center continued to experience a significant demand for counseling services and in emergency/crisis clients, reaching its projected figure of 1000+ total new clients, representing an increase of 16% from last year. Emergency/crisis clients demonstrated a 38% increase from last year. The Center fully implemented its new initial screening paperwork that would more completely capture client information. The Counseling Center also faced a number of budget reductions as a result of the economy during FY09 resulting in the loss of a newly allocated staff psychologist position and a hiring freeze of a vacant position. Approval to move forward with a search for the vacant position was recently extended in May 2009. The Center was also re-approved for a new psychologist position for FY10. Based on current and projected budgetary challenges as well as current and projected staffing resources and demand for services, the Counseling Center undertook a trend analysis of counseling data. Results indicated a forecast of increasing needs for counseling. As a result, the Counseling Center has examined its current service delivery model and is in the process of revising its model of delivering counseling services to adapt to the projected increases in service demand. The Center anticipates implementation of the new model by the beginning of the 2009-2010 academic year.

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Counseling Services Summary

Total Number of Counseling Hours Provided

6,826

Total Number of Counseling Sessions per Client

• • •

Average Number of Sessions per Client

6.3

Most Frequently Assessed Client Concerns

• • • • •

Total Number of Client Hospitalizations

Georgia Tech Counseling Center Data 2008-2009 Clients by Student Status > 5th year 3%

1 Session Only (29.1%) 2-10 Sessions (51.4%) > 10 Sessions (19.5%)

Graduate 25%

5th year 6% 4th year 12%

Anxiety Depression ADHD Alcohol/Drug Relationships

34% 32% 9% 8% 7%

1s t year 16% 3rd year 19% 2nd year 19%

Group Counseling Summary Total Number of Groups Offered per Semester Total Number of Clients Total Number of Contact Hours

12 121 2099.8

Outreach Summary Total Number of Programs Offered Total Number of Contact Hours Total Number of Evening/Weekend Programs

198 135.6 24

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

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Counse ling Ce nter Annual Data 2008-2009 (clie nt de mogra phic da ta)

Couns e ling Ce nte r Annual Data 2008-2009 (% Ethnic/Racial M inority Stude nts ) Counseling Center Clients

GT Population

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Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

iii

Counseling Center Annual Report 2008-2009 Table of Contents Executive Summary............................................................................................................................................. i Introduction......................................................................................................................................................... 1 □ Staff ..................................................................................................................................................... 2 □ Overview of Counseling Services....................................................................................................... 3 Counseling Services............................................................................................................................................ 5 □ Client Characteristics .......................................................................................................................... 7 □ Client Outcome Data ......................................................................................................................... 11 Group Counseling ............................................................................................................................................. 15 □ Client Outcome Data ......................................................................................................................... 15 Outreach & Consultation .................................................................................................................................. 19 □ Program Evaluation........................................................................................................................... 21 Emergency & Crisis Services ........................................................................................................................... 22 Training............................................................................................................................................................. 23 Professional Development ................................................................................................................................ 26 Service to the Division and Institute................................................................................................................. 33 Professional Membership & Leadership .......................................................................................................... 35

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Introduction

he Georgia Tech Counseling Center is a unit of the Division of Student Affairs. The Center is dedicated to enhancing the academic experience and success of all students by providing a variety of counseling and psychological services to individuals and the campus community. The Center is staffed by licensed mental health professionals and counselors-intraining to provide short-term counseling services to students and the campus community. Our services are available at no charge to currently enrolled students. These services include: • Individual & Couples Counseling • Group Counseling • Outreach & Consultation • • • •

Emergency & Crisis Services Referral Services Testing and Assessment After-hours On-call Services

The Counseling Center supports the personal and professional development of Georgia Tech students, the educational mission of the Institute and the Division of Student Affairs by providing short-term counseling, psychotherapy, and assessment to students, and outreach and consultative services to the Georgia Tech community. The Center is currently accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services (IACS). The Counseling Center also serves as a training site for graduate practicum students and pre-doctoral interns. The practicum training program offers supervised training experiences in providing direct psychological services to students and the campus community. The pre-doctoral internship training program is the capstone training experience for doctoral students in applied psychology. The internship training program offers training to those who are interested in gaining additional experience in working in a counseling center setting. The internship program attracts applicants from across the country who are matched with the Counseling Center through the National Matching Service. The pre-doctoral internship training program is a member of the Association of Psychology Pre-doctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC).

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Staff The Counseling Center has 9 (8.5 FTE) counseling staff (inclusive of the director). The Director, Associate Director, and Assistant Director comprise the administrative group of the Counseling Center responsible for overall administration of the agency as well as overseeing and coordinating policies and procedures for the Center. The following is a listing of the counseling staff at the Counseling Center for 2008-2009: Jill Barber, PhD Nelson Binggeli, PhD Mack S. Bowers, PhD Irene Dalton, PhD Mahlet Endale, PhD Kenneth C. Frontman, PhD Vacant Rome Lester, MS Ruperto M. Perez, PhD

• • • • • • • • •

Assistant Director, Licensed Psychologist Licensed Psychologist Associate Director, Licensed Psychologist Licensed Psychologist Licensed Psychologist Licensed Psychologist Licensed Psychologist Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Director, Licensed Psychologist

In August 2008, Mahlet Endale, PhD joined the Counseling Center staff, filling a previously vacant position. In February 2009, Belen T. Gutter, PhD resigned her position to take another position at the Veterans Administration Hospital. A search for her position was initiated in February but then was halted due to budget restrictions. Approval to proceed with a search for the vacant position was extended in May 2009. A new staff psychologist position was budgeted to the Center at the beginning of FY09, however budget reductions during the year resulted in the loss of the newly allocated position. This position was recently restored in May 2009 and approval given to move forward with the search process. The Center also has 3 (2.5 FTE) administrative support positions (administrative assistant II, secretary/receptionist, administrative clerk). The following is a listing of the administrative support staff at the Counseling Center for 2008-2009: Tamika Love Sherry Johnson Nadine Robinson

• • •

Administrative Assistant II Administrative Clerk Secretary/Receptionist

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

In May 2009, Nadine Robinson received the Division of Student Affairs Award of Excellence to acknowledge here distinguished service to the mission of the Division of Student Affairs. The Counseling Center is very proud of Mrs. Robinson’s award and remains fortunate to have her as one of our valued staff members. Two pre-doctoral positions were again selected via the 2008 APPIC Match process. Two candidates were matched with the Counseling Center from a national applicant pool to become the Center’s second internship class. J. Marshall Bruner, M.A. (Argosy University-Atlanta), and LaKeisha Gantt, M.Ed. (University of Georgia) joined the Center in August 2008 and both will complete their internship in August 2009. In addition, the Counseling Center sponsors a training program for practicum students each year from graduate counseling or psychology programs. In 2008-2009, the Counseling Center accepted the following into the practicum training program: Kristen Aycock Will Bruer Lisa Sims Robert Poynter Sandra Rodriguez-Siuts Michael Rothman

• • • • • •

Georgia State University Argosy University-Atlanta University of Georgia Georgia State University Texas Tech University Emory University

Overview of Counseling Services Individual & Couples Counseling. The Center offers individual counseling for students who present with a wide variety of psychological, career, and academic concerns. In addition, the Center provides couples counseling to currently enrolled students and their partners/spouses. The Counseling Center uses a short-term model of counseling to assist students in addressing their concerns. Group Counseling. The Center offers several groups each semester. These include support groups, therapy groups, and educational groups. Outreach & Consultation. The Counseling Center offers campus consultation to campus groups as well as a number of educational programs that are open to all students, faculty, and staff. Programs offered include stress management, managing anxiety, relationships, and study skills.

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Emergency & Crisis Services. The counseling staff provides crisis and emergency services during regular office hours as well as after-hours and during the weekend. Emergency walk-in times are available during the week for students experiencing a personal crisis. In addition, after-hours consultation and crisis service is available through the counselor-on-duty. The counseling staff is also available to provide emergency response to campus incidents and events. Testing & Assessment. The Center provides testing and assessment for its clients, including screenings for ADD/LD. Mandatory assessments (e.g., drug and alcohol, stress, anger, psychological) are also provided via referrals from the Office of Student Integrity. Referral Services. Psychiatric referrals for medication evaluation and treatment are available through the psychiatrist at the Student Health Center. The Counseling Center works closely with the psychiatrist to facilitate referrals for psychiatric evaluations and follow-up as needed. In addition, a comprehensive listing is maintained by the Counseling Center for students who are in need of extended services or whose presenting concerns are beyond the scope of service at the Center.

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Counseling Services

he Counseling Center continued to meet the needs of students and the campus by providing a range of counseling and outreach/consultation services through 2008-2009. The demand for initial counseling services remained high, particularly during the early part of Fall and Spring semesters. Counseling Center Annual Data 2008-2009 Total Initial Screenings 160 140 120

# screenings

During 2008-2009, the Center the Center continued to experience an increase (â&#x2020;&#x2018;16%) in the number of new students seeking counseling from last year. The Center also continued to maintain a waitlist of students seeking individual counseling. The wait time for services continued to be greater during the Spring semester than the Fall, with the range of wait time ranging from 2-5 weeks for individual counseling.

100 80 60 40 20 0 May-08 Jun-08 Jul-08 Aug-08 Sep-08 Oct-08 Nov-08 Dec-08 Jan-09 Feb-09 Mar-09 Apr-09 May-09

During 2008-2009, a total of 1,062 students were seen at the Center for initial screenings (individual, couples, group, crisis/emergency/urgent). The Center provided a total of 5,368 client appointments with a total of 6,826 client hours. There was a 38% increase from last year in the total number of clients seen for urgent/emergency screenings and crisis interventions (n=398). Counseling staff also provided a total of 45.87 hours of emergency after hours on-call services. Additionally, counseling staff were involved in 5 client hospitalizations during 20082009. Overall, this increase in demand for service is consistent with the reported trend across counseling centers nationally.

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

As a result of the continued increase in the number of new students seeking services at the Center, a number of students were placed on a waitlist during the end of Fall semester and the latter half of Spring semester. Despite the increase in the demand for services, the clinical teams made a number of attempts to staff and assign students from the waitlist to available counseling appointments and to provide referrals to the community when appropriate. Students presented to the Counseling Center with a variety of concerns. Of the concerns presented by students, the most frequently assessed client concern was anxiety (34%), closely followed by depression (32%), ADHD (9%) and alcohol/drug (8%). The average number of sessions provided to students was 6 sessions.

Counseling Center Annual Data 2008-2009 (clients by assessed concern) relations hips 7% eating dis order 2% learning dis order 2%

ADHD 9%

bipolar 3%

alcohol/drug 8%

PTSD 1% s chiz/paranoia 2% anxiety 34%

Clients were asked to rate the severity of their presenting concern(s). Ratings are based on a 4-point Likert scale (0=not at all, 4=extremely). In examining presenting client concerns by gender, a slightly higher percentage of males (43%) tended to report concerns regarding depression as a serious concern (43%) than females (44%). A higher percentage of females reported anxiety (48%) and stress (47%) as a serious concern than males (anxiety=40%, stress=33%).

depres s ion 32%

Gender differences also existed regarding the degree to which clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; academic performance and social life were impacted by their presenting concerns. Females indicated (68%) that there social life was more impacted than males (56%) while males indicated that their academic life was slightly more impacted (57%) by their presenting concerns than females (56%).

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Counseling Center Annual Data 2008-2009 Presenting Concerns by Gender 100 90 80

percent

70 60

% Female % Male

50 40 30 20 10

A A p lc/ D pe r ug ar an ce D F i ep na nc ia l G S x r ie Is f su es An An x ge St r re ss Sl R eep el P h /S p ys irit he a P e lt h R rfec om t an t F a ic m F r ily ie In nds Ex str u p V i cto ol r e C E x nc e ho ic p. O e of pp A c ma ad j or .P er f. C on Mo ce t iv nt T e ra t e st An x

Client Characteristics The Counseling Center continued to serve a number of diverse students during 2008-2009. Forty-two percent of the clients seen were racial/ethnic minority students and international students. In examining the racial/ethnic minority demographic client data alone (excluding international students and â&#x20AC;&#x153;otherâ&#x20AC;? category), the proportion seen at the Center was slightly greater than the Georgia Tech population as a whole, based on Fall 2008 enrollment data. The exception to this is the percentage of Asian clients seen at the Center. The percentage of Asian clients seen at the Center (16%) was more than half of the total population at Georgia Tech (27%). The percent of racial/ethnic minority students seen at the Center is as follows: Asian (16%), African-American (8%), Hispanic/Latino(a) (4%), Multiracial (2%). There was a significant 7% increase in the number of international students seen at the Center (10%).

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Couns e ling Ce nte r Annual Data 2007-2008 (Total % Ethnic/Racial M inority Stude nts ) 70 65 60 55 50

Counseling Center

GT Population

percent

40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

Couns e ling Ce nte r Annual Data 2008-2009 (% Ethnic/Racial M inority Stude nts ) Counseling Center Clients

GT Population

70 60 40 30 20 10

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Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Other client characteristics are presented in Tables 1-4 below: Table 1

Gender Male Female Transgender Status 1st year/Freshman 2nd year/Sophomore 3rd year/Junior 4th year, > 5th year/Senior Graduate Relationship Status Single Serious Dating or Committed Relationship Civil union, domestic partner, or equivalent Married Divorced Separated

Table 2 % Counseling Center Clients

% GT Campus

53 47 .20

72 30

16 19 19 21

17 15 15 19

54 36

0.3 6 2 1

College Architecture Computing Engineering Ivan Allen Management Sciences GPA Equal to 0.0 > 0.0 and less than 0.5 ≥ 0.5 and less than 1.0 ≥ 1.0 and less than 1.5 ≥ 1.5 and less than 2.0 ≥ 2.0 and less than 2.5 ≥ 2.5 and less than 3.0 ≥ 3.0 and less than 3.5 ≥ 3.5 and less than 4.0 Equal to 4.0

% Counseling Center Clients

% GT Campus

6 9 52 7 9 12

6 9 57 6 10 10

Counseling Center Annual Report

.56 0 .14 1 7 12 20 31 22 6

2008-2009

Table 3

Table 4 % Counseling Center Clients

Residence Fraternity/Sorority Off Campus Parents/Family Residence Hall Referral Source ADAPTS Career Services Dean of Students Housing Student Health Faculty Family Friend Other

% Counseling Center Clients Prior Counseling Experience?

5 43 2 50

Yes

Prior Counseling 2 17 14 4 22 6 7 19 22

Prior to college

After starting college

Both

Never

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Client Outcome Data Client Satisfaction Survey. The Counseling Center engages in ongoing assessment of client experiences at the Center to obtain both quantitative and qualitative data. Each year, the Center surveys its clients to assess the degree of their satisfaction with the Counseling Center, the degree of satisfaction of their progress during counseling, and the degree to which counseling has been helpful to them in their academic success. This past year, the Center revised its survey administration practice and administered the satisfaction survey to students during the Fall and Spring semesters. This resulted in a more consistent and improved return rate. The survey was also revised from a 7-point Likert-scale rating from 1 (not at all satisfied) to 7 (very satisfied) to a 5-point Likert-scale (1=Not at all satisfied, 5=Extremely satisfied) for a more efficient survey. Also, additional items were added and some items were deleted/revised for improved data collection. In sum, clients indicated that they were satisfied with their overall counseling experience and that counseling was helpful in improving or maintaining their academic performance. Results are listed in Table 5. Table 5

How satisfied are you with the services you have received at the Counseling Center? How satisfied were you with you initial screening appointment? How satisfied are you on your progress with the concerns that brought you to counseling? How satisfied have you been with your counselor? How satisfied are you that your counselor understands the nature of your concerns? How satisfied are you with the assistance of the Front Desk staff? How helpful has counseling been to you in improving or maintaining your academic progress? How likely would you be to recommend our services to a friend?

Avg. Rating 4.5 4.1 4.0 4.5 4.1 4.4 3.7

4.5

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Client Experience of Counseling. In addition, clients were also asked to provide open feedback and comments as to there experience at the Counseling Center. The range of responses generally fell into 2 areas: 1) overall client experience of counseling, and 2) experience with counselor. Below is a sample of the comments in each area: Overall Experience: □

“My experience here at the Counseling Center has exceeded all of my expectations and has been very helpful and drastically improved my quality of life.”

□

“I have recommended the Counseling Center on multiple occasions with different friends. While I don't know if they followed through with the advice, I think they were assured that help was really available if they did need it.” “I am very happy with the services provided. My counselor and front desk has made me feel very important and appreciated. I'm so thankful for the Counseling Center.”

□ □

“Took a very long time (3 weeks) to get a screening appointment and then just as long to get assigned to someone, but otherwise everything is great.”

□

“One of my main concerns is the time/session limit imposed for "counselees." In some cases, a patient may require deeper or longer term work/counseling; it would be helpful to have that as an option on a case by case basis.”

□

“In the time between my initial screening and my assignment to counseling, I did not get any communication from the Counseling Center about whatever progress or the status of my assignment. A little more communication in that time period could have been better.”

□

“I've actually loved counseling so much that I've recommended it to several of my close friends who said they have been struggling with various issues.”

□

“The Center has helped me to develop more structure and boundaries in my life. I have felt a gradual but definite improvement in my quality of life. I am indebted to my counselor and the Counseling Center.”

□

“The Tech Counseling Center has had a huge positive influence on both my life and my relationships around me. You guys do an amazing job and are a huge value to this campus.”

□

“I wish you guys had more counselors. There are a lot of Tech zombies that need help.”

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Experience with Counselor: □

“Great services and support to student body. I'm very pleased about the way ( ) approaches and helps me through the process. Coming to counseling is being very helpful in my life as student a woman at GA Tech.”

□

“I honestly cannot envision a better counselor than ( grateful for working with him. Thank you!”

□

“( ) is a wonderful asset to your organization. She exudes kindness, understanding, and caring which takes the process of counseling to the next level.”

□

“The Counseling Center has helped me to see my life as a whole and to put my priorities intact. I have learned to be gentle on myself. My counselor, ( ), works well with me and he has a very genuine interest for me to get better.”

□

“( ) is the best! Very observant, considerate, and understanding. I'm so glad that I have been paired with him. He offers me great guidance.”

□

“My counseling with (

). He was (and is) a terrific match for my situation and I am incredibly

) has been very helpful through some trying times.”

OQ-45 Results. As a regular part of the initial screening paperwork, clients were asked to complete the Outcome Questionaire-45 (OQ-45). The OQ-45 is comprised of 45 items (3 subscales) designed to assess overall distress in clients as reported in the total score. The 3 subscales include symptom distress, interpersonal relations, and social role. Overall interpretation of the OQ-45 is focused on the total score which reflects the general level of distress. A total score of 63 or higher is indicative of significant overall distress. Reliability estimates of the OQ-45 (total score) range from α = .90 - .77; test-retest reliability ranges from r = .90-.78 (Lambert et al., 1996*). Clients were administered the OQ-45 at initial screening and at termination. The average total score at initial screening was 63.67, indicating a significant level of overall distress. The average client total score upon termination was 51.65. Statistical analysis was performed on the pre and post data. A significant difference was found between pre and post test results ( p < .001), indicating a significant difference between the initial session and the final counseling sessions. Based on pre-post OQ-45 data, clients reported significant improvement in their overall level of distress after completion of counseling.

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

OQ-45 and CCAPS. As a regular part of the initial screening paperwork, the Counseling Center had been using the Outcome Questionaire-45 (OQ-45). During the past year, the Center explored other outcome measures that may be more suitable and would yield more useful information to more accurately assess client concerns. The Center decided to adapt the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms (CCAPS; Soet & Sevig, 2006) in place of the OQ-45. The CCAPS was developed at the University of Michigan Counseling and Psychological Services Center. The CCAPS is a 70-item instrument that focuses on the unique presenting issues of college students. The CCAPS includes 9 subscales: depression, eating issues, substance use, general anxiety, hostility, social role anxiety, family of origin issues, academic stress, and spirituality. There are 5 additional scales included for clinical utility: dissociative symptoms, cultural/ethnic identity, violent thoughts, and history of abuse. The CCAPS has demonstrated strong convergent and divergent validity and has demonstrated strong reliability (Îą=.93). The CCAPS also is integrated within the Titanium scheduler and database which allows for automated scoring and report generation. The Center plans to begin using the CCAPS at the beginning of the 2009-2010 academic year.

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Group Counseling

roup counseling continued to be offered by the Counseling Center. For 2008-2009, the Center was successful in offering a total of 12 groups during Fall and Spring semesters. The groups program resulted in a total of 2099.80 client hours. Senior staff facilitated a number of groups throughout the year. Groups were also facilitated/co-facilitated by interns and practicum students. To address the increased demand for services and to manage the waitlist for individual services during the Spring semester, a Feeling Better group was once again offered to provide wait-list clients with services prior to their assignment to an individual counselor. A limited number of groups were also offered during the Summer semester based on student demand. The following is a listing of groups offered by the Counseling Center during 2008-2009: Counseling Center Groups 2008-2009

CHANGES A group that provides support for undergraduate and graduate students who seek to make changes in their lives, yet find themselves stifled. The group provides a functional environment and process such that one can identify achievable goals and manage the issues that get in the way of reaching personal goals. CONNECTIONS This group provides a safe and affirming place for GLBT students to share experiences and connect with others. GRADUATE WOMENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GROUP A group that allows GT graduate student women to connect with others around personal, academic, and relationship issues. GRIEF AND LOSS A support/therapy group designed for individuals who have experienced the death of a significant person.

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

MIND OVER MOOD A three session workshop focusing on how to identify and change the though patterns that contribute to depression. It will be offered three times during the semester. INTERNATIONAL SPOUSE/PARTNER GROUP A support group for the spouses/partners of International Students. It will allow international spouses to connect with one another and to provide support as they navigate living in the US. INTERNATIONAL CONNECTION: AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT DISCUSSION GROUP This group provides a forum for GA Tech students to explore the process of cultural adjustment and relating across cultures. Students will be able to explore their adjustments to American classrooms. This will be a safe environment for students to discuss different experiences of stress, emotions, and relationships with peers and family. Both graduate and undergraduate students are welcome. BLACK WOMENS’ SUPPORT GROUP This group provides the opportunity for Black women to come together to gain support in balancing the multiple roles within their lives. The group focuses on working through academic challenges, enhancing one’s sense of self, overcoming obstacles, understanding personal and professional relationships, gaining support and strategies to improve overall wellness. Race, class and gender are central to discussions. DOCTORAL THESIS SUPPORT GROUP The group provides a supportive environment for doctoral students to address academic, professional, and personal challenges involved in completing a doctoral thesis. Common topics include: maintaining motivation in the face of obstacles, setting achievable goals, and working effectively with one’s advisor. MENS & WOMEN’S THERAPY GROUP This mixed gender group will provide an opportunity for students to meet weekly to discuss issues and concerns that create stumbling blocks to success. INTERPERSONAL GROUP This co-ed group will examine relationships, communication, stress management, and general life concerns.

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

WISDOM FOR LIVING GROUP This skills building group will meet for ten sessions. Participants will have an opportunity to learn specific techniques for enhancing their interpersonal relationships, managing difficult emotions, using mindfulness techniques, and self care for mood management. Client Outcome Data Client Satisfaction Survey. Client satisfaction surveys were administered to clients who participated in group counseling. The survey is based on a 5-point Likert-scale (1=Not at all satisfied, 5=Extremely satisfied). In sum, clients indicated that they were very satisfied with their overall group counseling experience and that group counseling was helpful in improving or maintaining their academic performance. Results are listed in Table 6. Table 6

Avg. Rating 4.5 4.2 4.0 4.5 4.2 4.4 3.7

4.5

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Of special note is the regular workshop group that the Center continues to sponsor for spouses of international students. Since its formation in 1996, the International Spouse group has served as a regular workshop for international spouses of students enrolled at Georgia Tech. The workshop was established on the heels of a Welcome to America workshop that Mack Bowers and Rome Lester facilitated in collaboration with Maz Kosma from Family Housing. The workshop was intended to orient new international students to American life and culture. The workshop was well attended and most of the graduate students brought their spouses (mainly women) to join them. The workshop has been and continues to be facilitated by Rome Lester. Thirteen years later in 2009, the group meets regularly in the Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Resource Center. The group continues to provide opportunities for networking and relationship-building among its members. The workshop has continued to be appreciated by its members who have represented nearly twenty countries from around the globe.

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Outreach & Consultation

he Counseling Center continued its service in the area of outreach and consultation, providing a wide variety of programs and workshops to students and the campus community. Outreach programs were offered from a core set of offerings each year in addition to responding to individual outreach requests from consultation contacts, student groups, organizations, and departments. Overall, the Counseling Center was very successful in its efforts to provide quality outreach and consultation to the campus community. A total of 198 educational workshops and outreach programs were presented to the campus community and a total of 135.6 contact hours,

The Counseling Center continued to partner with Housing to offer programs to residents and training programs for housing staff. The program for graduate students created with the graduate housing council entitled, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Grad School 101â&#x20AC;? won the award from Housing for Best Program. In addition, the Counseling Center continued its partnership with the Library to offer outreach programming. Consultation and educational outreach programs were also requested and offered by the Athletic Association in offering programs on stress management. The outreach and consultation programs offered by the Counseling Center during 20082009 are listed below: Counseling Center Outreach & Consultation 2008-2009 Workshop Topics Understanding the Wisdom of Your Dreams Manage Your Stress Before It Manages You Manage Your Time, Manage Your Life Beating the Stressors of Perfectionism and Procrastination Basics of a healthy relationship Surviving a break-up Grad School 101 Stress Management for Parents

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Relationships 101 for men International Approaches to Stress Management Make Your Personality Work for You Finding Work You Love Psyching out the Test Other Programs Understanding the Wisdom of Your Dreams Manage Your Stress Before It Manages You Manage Your Time, Manage Your Life Beating the Stressors of Perfectionism and Procrastination Basics of a healthy relationship Surviving a break-up Grad School 101 Stress Management for Parents Relationships 101 for men International Approaches to Stress Management Make Your Personality Work for You Finding Work You Love Psyching out the Test Mind Over Mood Coming Out: An Act of Respect Successful Test Taking International Panel on Beauty Stressed or Distressed? How to Know and How to Help Campus Events/Trainings/Panels Take Back the Night Workshops for Tunnel of Oppression in conjunction with Housing Department Successful Test Taking (for Women in Engineering) Stress Management, Time Management for the Total Person program in the Athletic Association

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Program Evaluation Evaluations are conducted for outreach programs provided to students and the campus. Ratings are based on a 5-point Likert scale. Overall, this year’s evaluation results point to the general effectiveness of outreach programs for the campus. These results indicate the ongoing and increased efforts of our outreach program to intentionally target students and campus needs and the Center’s efforts in effectively meeting those needs (Table 7).

Table 7

General Workshop Evaluation • Breadth of Coverage • Personal/Practical Relevance • Effectiveness of Presentation Presenter • Knowledge • Preparation • Engagement of Audience Goal Accomplishment Addressed My Concern Arrangements • Convenience • Notification of Event • Location/Room Environment • Format/Multimedia Use

Avg. Rating (1-5 scale) 4.60 4.51 4.70 4.59 4.74 4.81 4.76 4.64 4.28 3.38 4.28 4.54 4.11 4.18 4.27

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Emergency & Crisis Services

mergency and crisis services continued to be provided by the Counseling Center during 2008-2009. The Counseling Center offers a number of walk-in emergency times during regular office hours for students. During these times, students may meet with the counselor-onduty to discuss their concern. Appointments for additional intake or recommendations for counseling at the Center may be made during this time. In addition, for students whose presenting concerns require more on-going counseling than can be provided at the Center, counseling staff work with students to provide community referral options. Counseling Center Annual Data 2008-2009 Total Crisis & Urgent Screenings by Month

During 2008-2009, there was a dramatic increase in the total number of clients seen for urgent/emergency screenings and crisis interventions (n=288) which represents an increase of 38% from last year. Of these clients, 206 were seen for crisis intervention (â&#x2020;&#x2018; 15%) and 82 were seen for an urgent/emergency screening (â&#x2020;&#x2018; 173%). Overall, this increase in demand for service continues to mirror the reported trend across counseling centers nationally. Counseling staff also provided a total of 31.25 hours of emergency after-hours on-call services. Additionally, counseling staff were involved in 5 client hospitalizations during 2008-2009.

80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Training

uring 2008-2009, the Counseling Center’s training program continued its pre-doctoral training program in psychology. In addition, the Counseling Center also accepted a number of graduate students in counseling and psychology from area institutions for its practicum training program. The Training Committee is responsible for the review and selection of applicants as trainees at the Center.

The Counseling Center is continuing its efforts in completing the next stage of the process and is dedicated to establishing an APA-accredited internship program. Establishing an APA-accredited internship at the Counseling Center would put the Counseling Center on par with other counseling centers at our peer and aspirational institutions, provide services to the campus community, and raise the visibility of the Counseling Center at a national level. In addition, an APA-accredited internship site is highly valued among counseling center staff who provide training and supervision to interns as well as those persons who wish to be a part of a nationally-accredited training program. At present, 61% of Georgia Tech’s peer and aspirational institutions have an APA-accredited counseling center internship program and 55% of ACC institutions have an APA-accredited counseling center internship program. Within the state of Georgia, only Emory University and Georgia State University have APA-accredited internship programs. The Center has continued to make progress in working towards an APA-accredited internship during 2008-2009, having completed its first draft of the selfstudy. In 2008-2009, the internship program took part in the National Internship Match program sponsored by APPIC. The National Internship Match program matches intern applicants to pre-doctoral internships nationwide. The Counseling Center submitted a list of ranked applicants for next year’s interns and successfully matched with 2 applicants. The two interns who will comprise the Center’s 3rd internship class beginning Fall 2009 will be: Anthony Pollard Michael Rothman

• •

Argosy University-Atlanta Emory University

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

In addition to the internship program, the Center continues to sponsor a practicum training program for graduate students in counseling and psychology, accepting 5-6 graduate students each year. During 2008-2009, 6 graduate students were accepted as practicum trainees: Kristen Aycock Will Bruer Lisa Sims Robert Poynter Sandra Rodriguez-Siuts Michael Rothman

• • • • • •

Georgia State University Argosy University-Atlanta University of Georgia Georgia State University Texas Tech University Emory University

The selection process of practicum students for 2009-2010 was conducted in Spring 2009. The following were accepted as practicum students for 2009-2010: Philip Gnilka Laura Obert Carla Sutton Katie Tart Jenny Wu

• • • • •

Georgia State University Auburn University University of Georgia Argosy University-Atlanta University of Georgia

During their time at the Center, practicum students take part in conducting individual and group counseling under the supervision of senior counseling staff or pre-doctoral resident. In addition, practicum students may become involved in outreach opportunities presented to the Center. As part of the training experience, senior staff provides weekly orientation and training seminars for intern and practicum students. Below is the schedule of the training seminars provided during 2008-2009: Practicum Training Seminars (Fall 2008-Spring 2009) August 21 August 28

Orientation Beginning the Counseling Process – Mack Bowers

September 4 September 11 September 18

Career Counseling (MBTI & SII) – Rome Lester and Nelson Binggeli Associate Dean for Diversity – Stephanie Ray Time Limited Dynamic Therapy – Ken Frontman

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

September 25

Time Limited Dynamic Therapy – Ken Frontman

October 2 October 9 October 16 October 23 October 30

Time-Limited Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy – Nelson Binggeli Time-Limited Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy – Nelson Binggeli Outreach Presentations – Jill Barber Working with International Students – Mahlet Endale Crisis Response/Suicide Assessment – Belen Gutter

November 6 November 13 November 20 November 27

Initial Screenings – Irene Dalton Case Presentations Case Presentations Thanksgiving

December 4

Case Presentations

January 15 January 22 January 29

Intakes and Case Discussion – Mack Bowers Anxiety Issues – Mack Bowers Case discussion – Mack Bowers

February 5 February 12 February 19 February 26

Group Therapy – Rome Lester LGBT Issues – Toti Perez Evidence-based Practice – Nelson Binggeli Case Discussion – Mack Bowers

March 5 March 12 March 19 March 26

Addiction and Recovery – Ken Frontman Group Therapy (part 2) – Rome Lester Spring Break Feminist Multicultural Therapy – Jill Barber

April 2 April 9 April 16

Case Discussion – Mack Bowers Case Presentations Case Presentations

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

April 23 April 30

Case Presentations Parting is such sweet sorrow – Rome Lester Intern Training Seminars (Fall 2008-Spring 2009)

August 15 August 22 August 29

Book Review/Discussion (College of the Overwhelmed) – Mack Bowers Orientation with Practicum Students Feminist Multicultural Counseling – Jill Barber

September 5 September 12 September 19 September 26

Feminist Multicultural Counseling – Jill Barber Feminist Multicultural Counseling – Jill Barber Time-limited Dynamic Therapy – Ken Frontman Time-limited Dynamic Therapy – Ken Frontman

October 3 October 10 October 17 October 24 October 31

Time-limited Dynamic Therapy – Ken Frontman Multicultural Seminar – Mack Bowers Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – Nelson Binggeli Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – Nelson Binggeli Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – Nelson Binggeli

November 7 November 14 November 21 November 28

Interpersonal Counseling – Mack Bowers Time-limited Dynamic Therapy – Ken Frontman Interpersonal Counseling – Mack Bowers Thanksgiving Holiday

December 5 December 12

Special Populations – Belen Gutter Professional Transitions (licensure and job search) – Nelson Binggeli

January 14 January 21 January 28

GLBT Issues – Toti Perez GLBT Issues – Toti Perez GLBT Issues – Toti Perez

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

February 4 February 11 February 18 February 25

Couples Counseling – Irene Dalton Couples Counseling – Irene Dalton Couples Counseling – Irene Dalton Group Counseling – Rome Lester

March 4 March 11 March 18 March 25

Group Counseling – Rome Lester Group Counseling – Rome Lester Spring Break Multicultural Seminar – Mack Bowers

April 1 April 8 April 15 April 22 April 29

Trauma – Jill Barber Trauma – Jill Barber Trauma – Jill Barber Special Topics – Cinema Therapy Career Counseling (Overview) – Ken Frontman

May 6 May 13 May 20 May 27

Career Counseling (Strong Interest Inventory) – Mack Bowers Career Counseling (Myers-Briggs) – Jill Barber Multicultural Seminar (Color of Fear) – Mack Bowers Substance Abuse – Ken Frontman

June 3 June 10 June 17 June 24

Substance Abuse – Ken Frontman Substance Abuse – Mack Bowers Special Topics – Cinema Therapy Special Topics – Ordinary People

July 1 July 8

Transference/Countertransference - Anger Transference/Countertransference - Attraction

July 15 July 24

To be announced Terminations and Farewell

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Professional Development

he Counseling staff are required to obtain continuing education in order to maintain their professional license and to provide services through the Counseling Center. Continuing education may be obtained through attendance at workshops, seminars, or professional conferences/conventions. The counseling staff continued their individual professional development through attendance at a number of various workshops and programs. In addition, counseling staff attended and/or presented at various professional meetings, and were involved in research and publication throughout the year as listed below: Jill Barber Continuing Education: Therapist Heal Society & thyself: Social Justice in Disaster Response Work Am I Competent Enough? Multicultural Competence from an Ethics Perspective Responding to Campus Racist Incidents; Institutional Successes-Best Practices Racial Identity Skills for Life Multicultural Competence in the Provision of Supervision Meetings/Conferences Attended: American Psychological Association convention (Boston, MA) National Multicultural Conference and Summit (New Orleans, LA) Division 17 (Society of Counseling Psychology) Southeast Regional Conference (Athens, GA) Research Publications/Conference Presentations: Perrin, P., Heesacker, M., Perez, R., & Barber, J. (2009) Exchange of Privilege. Division 17 Southeastern Regional Conference, Athens, GA. Barber, J. (2008) Changing Face of Practice in University Counseling Centers. Chair/Discussant of Symposium held at APA Annual Convention, Boston, Massachusetts. Barber, J. (2008) The 12 Colors of the Rainbow- The Umbrella of LGBTQ Diversity: Counseling Interventions with LGBT International Students. Presented at APA Annual Convention, Boston Massachusetts.

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Barber, J. (2008). Addressing the Needs of Children in Same-Sex Families in the Classroom. Invited Presentation at Diversity Issues in School Counseling: Supporting ALL Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Students. Athens, Georgia. Mack S. Bowers Continuing Education: Current Basic Psychopharmacological Research of Relevance to Clinicians Psychopharmacology Issues in the Treatment of Children, Adolescents and Adults Meetings/Conferences Attended: Association of Counseling Center Training Agencies annual conference, Myrtle Beach, SC Georgia Psychological Association annual conference, Atlanta, GA Irene E. Dalton Continuing Education: John Gottman Couples Therapy Women and Psychopharmacology Working with Families of Divorce Hormones, Heart Health and the Brain Mahlet Endale Continuing Education: Granted psychology licensure, November, 2008 (Georgia State Board of Examiners of Psychology) Interdisciplinary Work to Build Collective Efficacy Among Immigrant Communities Considering Immigrants from Psychohistorical Perspectives Difficult Dialogues Facilitator Training Identity Performance: Masking Assimilation or Courageous Acts of Authentic Self Wisdom, Courage, and Heart: Progressive Strategies for Campus Crisis Preparation Assessing Five Years of Evidence-Based Campus Suicide Prevention Efforts Breaking the Ice: A Social Skills Group for Students Introduction to Motivational Interviewing Parts 1 & 2 Legal & Ethical Risks and Risk Management in Professional Psychological Practice Sequence I: General Risk Management Strategies

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Meetings/Conferences Attended: American Psychological Association convention (Boston, MA) National Multicultural Conference and Summit (New Orleans, LA) American College Personnel Association convention (Washington, DC) Georgia Psychological Association annual meeting (Atlanta, GA) Research Publications/Conference Presentations: Facilitator for Difficult Dialogues for Multicultural Summit Kenneth C. Frontman Continuing Education: Treatment of Addiction Working with GBLT clients in family therapy Meetings/Conferences Attended: Systems-Centered Training & Research Institute Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA. Research Publications/Conference Presentations: Frontman, K.C., & Straznickas, J. (2009, April) A systems-centered perspective on 12 step recovery & addiction. Presented at the Systems-Centered Training & Research Institute Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA. Rome Lester Continuing Education: Eating Disorders Recovery Dialectical Behavior Therapy Insights Couples Therapy Meetings/Conferences Attended: American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists Annual Conference (Memphis, TN)

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Ruperto M. Perez Continuing Education: Student Online Habits and Therapeutic Interventions Assessing Five Years of Evidence-Based Campus Suicide Prevention Efforts Advocating for Institutional Change: When Individual Counseling Is Not Enough Intersecting Identities: Gender Variant Students of Color Innovations in College Counseling 2008-2009 Infusing the Psychology Curriculum with Ethnocultural Content: Truths, Half-Truths, Anecdotes, and the Role of Critical Thinking Multiculturalism in Psychology Education and Training Meetings/Conferences Attended: American Psychological Association convention (Boston, MA) American College Personnel Association convention (Washington, DC) American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (Washington, DC) Division 17 (Society of Counseling Psychology) Southeast Regional Conference (Athens, GA) American Psychological Association Future of Psychology Practice Summit (San Antonio, TX) University of Georgia System of Counseling Center Directors meetings (Macon, GA) Research Publications/Conference Presentations: Perez, R.M. (2008). Cultural pluralism. In F. T. L Leong. (Editor-in-Chief), M.G. Constantine, & R. Worthington, (Volume Editors), Encyclopedia of counseling: Volume 3. Cross-cultural counseling. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Perez, R.M. (2008). Pluralism. In F. T. L Leong. (Editor-in-Chief), M.G. Constantine, & R. Worthington, (Volume Editors), Encyclopedia of counseling: Volume 3. Cross-cultural counseling. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Perez, R.M. (2009, February). Intersecting identities among LGBT people: Issues in counseling and therapy. Workshop presented at the 26th annual Columbia University-Teachers College Winter Roundtable on Cultural Psychology and Education, New York, NY (invited presentation). Weatherly, P.N., Martin, M., & Perez, R.M. (2009, March). Developing a state-wide crisis response network. Program presented at the annual meeting of the American College Personnel Association, Washington, DC.

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Perez, R.M. (2009, April). Investing White privilege: Avoiding the ills of racism. In P.B. Perrin (Chair), Social justice ally identity development and privilege investment. Symposium conducted at the Southeast Regional Counseling Psychology Conference, Athens, GA. Chung, Y.B., Israel, T.A., Mobley, M., & Perez, R.M. (2009, August). Rainbow action against racism (S. Hamilton, Chair). Symposium presented at the 116th annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Service to the Division and Institute

uring 2008-2009, the Counseling Center staff have been active in service to the Division and/or Institute through their involvement in a number of committees and task forces. Staff efforts have been represented at both the Divisional level and the Institutional level. The contribution of Counseling Center staff to the various committees and groups is reflective of the collaborative and cooperative efforts that are valued by the Center. The involvement of each staff during 2008-2009 is listed below:

Jill Barber Service to the Division/Institute: Member, SAFE Space Committee Member, Academic Resources Committee Member, Body Image Committee Member, Work/Life Committee Nelson Binggeli Service to the Division/Institute: Counseling Center liaison ADAPTS advisory committee Member, ADAPTS Staff Selection Committee Mack S. Bowers Service to the Division/Institute: Member, Student Affairs Technology Committee Member, Go T.E.C.H. Programming Committee

Irene E. Dalton Service to the Division/Institute: Member, Alcohol Task Force Implementation Committee Mahlet Endale Service to the Division/Institute: Member, Body Image Committee Rome Lester Service to the Division/Institute: Member, Sexual Assault Task Force Speaker at Take Back the Night Member, Women's Resource Center Advisory Board

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Ruperto M. Perez Service to the Division/Institute: Member, Student Affairs Critical Incident Response Team Member, Student Health Fee Committee Member, Student Affairs Award of Excellence Committee Chair, Student Affairs Professional Development Committee Chair, Divisional Strategic Planning Committee (Goal #2) Chair, Mental Health Task Force Implementation Group Advisor, Active Minds at Georgia Tech Instructor, GT1000

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Professional Membership & Leadership

arious staff are members of a number of state, regional and/or national professional organizations. In addition, some counseling staff are actively involved within their professional organizations and/or involved in areas of leadership within their professional organizations as listed below:

Jill Barber American Psychological Association Division 17 - Chair, Section for LGBT Awareness - Chair, Section for College and University Counseling Centers - Chair, Presidential Task Force on Taking Action Against Racism, Media Project - HOPE Trainer - Site visitor, Commission on Accreditation American College Personnel Association - Member, Directorate for Commission of Counseling and Psychological Services Georgia Psychological Association - Member, Human Welfare Committee Mack S. Bowers Member, American Psychological Association Member, Georgia Psychological Association - Member, Professional Education Committee Irene E. Dalton Member, Georgia Psychological Association

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009

Mahlet Endale Member, American College Personnel Association Member, Georgia Psychological Association Kenneth C. Frontman Member, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists Member, American Group Psychotherapy Association Member, American Psychological Association Member, Georgia Psychological Association Member, National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology Member, Systems-Centered Training & Research Institute - PR Conference Co-Coordinator Systems-Centered Training & Research Institute Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA. Rome Lester Member, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists Member, Georgia Association of Marriage & Family Therapists Ruperto M. Perez American Psychological Association (APA) - Fellow, Division 17 (Society of Counseling Psychology) o Member, Section on Ethnic and Racial Diversity o Member, Section for Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Awareness - Fellow, Division 44 (Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Issues) - Member, Division 51 (Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinity) - Member, APA Commission on Accreditation Member, American College Personnel Association - Member, Commission for Counseling and Psychological Services (CCAPS) Member, Georgia Psychological Association Member, National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology

Counseling Center Annual Report

2008-2009