Counseling

 

The Counseling Center at the Harrison Health Center is a resource for all enrolled students. Counselors provide supportive individual psychotherapy for a range of issues, as well as consultation, referrals, and group therapy. Counseling sessions are free of charge.

If you are in a crisis or life-threatening emergency, contact a crisis hotline, call 911, or go to your local hospital emergency room. If on-campus, you may contact Public Safety at 443-336-2348 or ext. 2000.

Counseling Center Operations During Fall 2020

All Counseling Center services will be remote/via telehealth at least through the Fall semester. No clinicians will be on campus through this time; due to COVID-19, no counseling/psychiatry clients will be allowed to physically enter the Harrison Health Center.

  • At this time, telehealth services are only available to students who are located in Maryland (or another state/region where the clinician holds a license or other authorization to practice). Please reach out to the Counseling Center to determine whether any of our clinicians are authorized to practice in your area.
  • For those who are outside of these areas, the Counseling Center can assist in connecting students with providers and resources local to them.

Any questions/concerns/requests should be sent by email to the Counseling Center at counseling(at)sjc.edu or to Dr. Lopez directly at heather.lopez(at)sjc.edu.

Clinical Services

Individual Therapy

Students meet one-on-one with a licensed counselor.  You may seek counseling for a variety of reasons, including struggles with alcohol or drugs, difficult life events, depression, anxiety, sexual assault or other forms of abuse, interpersonal challenges, identity issues, procrastination, grief, and stress management.

Group therapy

The counseling center is offering two groups this fall.

LGBTQ+ Group

This group provides a safe, empowering, and confidential space for those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, non-binary, and pansexual to receive support with identity, coming out, relationship issues, etc. All are welcome!

D&D—An RPG Therapy Group

Learn everyday skills through gameplay! Build your confidence and social skills while having an epic adventure! No experience necessary. Come join the fun!

Drop-in Support

Visit our virtual counseling center during the times listed below. No appointment needed. No in-person sessions offered at this time.

Virtual Session Hours

If you need to speak with a licensed mental health clinician outside of our drop-in support hours and cannot wait to make an appointment with the St. John's College Counseling Center, call CareConnect at 888-857-5462.

Psychiatric Support

The college psychiatrist is available to see students who may benefit from medication as referred by your counselor.

Making an Appointment

Returning clients

Includes students who completed all paperwork in 2019–20 schoolyear and then saw a counselor and/or psychiatrist through the Counseling Center.

  1. Email counseling(at)sjc.edu and provide Counseling Center staff with basic demographic information (i.e., name, date of birth, phone number, SJC email address, and what state you’ll be in for fall semester), explaining you were seen by a counselor and/or the psychiatrist through the St. John's College Counseling Center last year and would like to resume those services this year. For continuing therapy, you may also email this information to your counselor directly.
  2. You will then be sent paperwork to your online patient portal, where you will need to complete and submit the required Returning Client forms.
  3. Once all paperwork is completed in full and signed/submitted, staff will reach out to schedule your appointment.
  4. Your counselor may then refer you, as requested/appropriate, to the psychiatrist. 

New clients

  1. Email counseling(at)sjc.edu and provide Counseling Center staff with basic demographic information (i.e., name, date of birth, phone number, SJC email address, and state you’ll be in for fall semester).
  2. You will then be emailed directions to set up your online patient portal, where you will need to complete and submit the required New Client forms.
  3. Once all paperwork is completed in full and signed/submitted, staff will reach out to schedule your initial intake appointment with a counselor.
  4. The counselor may then refer you, as requested/appropriate, to the psychiatrist.

What Can I Expect When I Meet with a Counselor?

The view from outside the Health Center.

Counselors are licensed mental health professionals with a broad range of interests and experience working with St. John’s students. Counselors are non-judgmental, objective, professional helpers. They won’t tell you what to do, but they will ask questions, listen closely, and help you to understand what is troubling you in a new light.

Some students come for a one-time consultation visit; some come for many weekly appointments. The anticipated duration of therapy is something that can be discussed at a first visit.

Counseling is a collaborative process. Students are encouraged to share their concerns, questions, and goals for therapy with their counselor so that together they can establish the most helpful approach.

Confidentiality

All counseling services are completely confidential. Information about you cannot be released without your written permission, except in rare exceptions as dictated by law. St. John’s is a small community, but whatever you talk about with your counselor is private.

Online Resources

General Mental Health Information

Survivors of Sexual Assault, Abuse, or Trauma

Eating Disorders/Body Image

Alternatives to Self-Injury

Mindful Awareness

Additional Resources
Sexual Misconduct InformationHealth ServicesStudent Services