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Counseling Services

The Counseling Center, located in Saint Francis Hall, provides confidential counseling to students, including individual, marital and group counseling. If assistance is needed in arranging for mental health services in the community, the Center staff can assist students with referral to local treatment providers.

  • A message from Laura Corbett-Contorchick, the Coordinator for Counseling Services:

    Dear Students and SFU Community,

    I am writing to you to share updates and decisions relative to the Saint Francis University Counseling Center’s response to the global Coronavirus (COVID-19).  While there are no confirmed cases on our campus, protecting the health and safety of our students remains the Counseling Center’s top priority.  

    Effective immediately, the Counseling Center is moving all counseling support to a remote format. 

    • At this time, all face-to-face counseling services will be discontinued. 
    • Telephone support services will be available to all existing student clients.
    • Telephone consultation and referral services will be available to all students who are not existing clients of the Counseling Center. 
    • If you would like to schedule a tele-appointment, please email counseling@francis.edu or call (814) 472-3211 for assistance. 
    • Other helpful documents:  Mental Wellness Skills & Strategies and Tips for Social Distancing

    Please note that this approach is likely to change as additional formats and platforms become available. For updates, information, and resources, please check the University’s dedicated webpage. 

    In the event of a crisis, for immediate assistance: 

    Thank you, again, for your cooperation and understanding during this difficult time.  Please continue to keep the community in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate this unprecedented situation. Stay healthy and take care! 

    Sincerely,

    Laura Corbett-Contorchick
    Coordinator of Counseling Services

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  • Our Services

    The Counseling Center, located in Saint Francis Hall, provides confidential counseling to students, including individual, marital and group counseling. If assistance is needed in arranging for mental health services in the community, the Center staff can assist students with referral to local treatment providers.

    Programming on relevant psycho-social and developmental issues is provided and sponsored by the Center throughout the year along with QPR Gatekeeper Certification. Topics include stress management and relaxation training, sexuality, eating disorders, dating, substance abuse and family issues. Resource information on mental health issues, chemical dependency and health and wellness is available at the Center and is provided to students upon request.

    Resources for Students

    For current students seeking assistance, we have assembled a listing of counseling resources to help connect individuals with the support they need.

    First Year Students

    First-year students (and parents!) may be interested in browsing transitionyear.org for guidance in dealing with common issues families encounter as students embark on the college experience.

    Resources for parents

    The counseling center works with many parents as well providing consultation, information, and referrals. Here are answers to few questions you may have.

  • How does the counseling center help students?

    The Counseling Center is part of the University's mission of helping students to develop into healthy, well-rounded individuals. Counseling Services assist students in meeting the personal and developmental challenges they face during college. Students seek counseling for a range of issues from adjustment and relationship issues to managing emotional and behavioral issues, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance abuse.

    When to seek counseling and community services?

    When To Seek Counseling

    • Feeling stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, tense, or worried
    • Feeling moody, irritable, depressed, or hopeless
    • Trouble coping with the break-up of a romantic relationship
    • Difficulties with friends or roommate(s)
    • Worrying about a family problem
    • Experiencing problems with alcohol or drug use
    • Sleep disturbance
    • Eating disorders
    • Having trouble adjusting to college
    • Worrying about life after graduation
    • Trouble coping with a traumatic event
    • Having thoughts of death or suicide
    • Concerned about a friend with a mental health issue 

    Community Resources for Gender Based Violence (Sexual & Physical)

    • Victim Services provides confidential, free services for victims of sexual assault and violent crime in Cambria & Somerset Counties. Phone 1-800-755-1983.
    • PCAR (PA Coalition Against Rape) -  PCAR provides quality services to victims / survivors of sexual violence and the significant other. Toll Free Hotline: 1-888-772-7227.  
    • Women's Help Center provides victims with options, resources, educative and supportive services, empowerment counseling and emergency shelter. Phone: 814-536-5361. 
    • Title IX Help Center 
    • Student Health Center
    • SFU University Police  webpage includes contact information for on and off-campus resources.                                                                                                                                                                   
       

    Resources for Anxiety/Depression

    • Self Injury-a non profit outreach providing information and resources about self injury to those who self injure, those who have recovered, and those who want to help. 
    • Anxiety Disorders Association of America- Anxiety disorders are real, serious, and treatable. This site can assist with understanding anxiety, finding help, and living with anxiety.
    • Looking for help with relaxation or having trouble sleeping? Go to Sleep Scripts for words you can print out and read to yourself to help with focusing. This site also has some free guided imagery to help with relaxation.

     Resources for Mental Health

    • Best Colleges-Guide for college students, finances, lifestyle, health.  
    • Strength of Us - Online community developed by Nami and young adults impacted by mental health. 
    • Ulifeline - Learn more about protecting your emotional health and what to do if you or a friend is struggling with mental health issues.
    • Here at Half of US.com, you can find help, feel better, check yourself and help a friend. This site is helpful for those who want to take control of their mental health. 
    • Health Place - This website provides general information on mental health.
    • The Impact of Sleep on Mood and Mental Well-Being
      https://www.sleephelp.org/mood-emotions-sleep/

    Resources for Suicide Prevention

     Resources for Grief

    •  Grief Support.  A helpful website for college students dealing with grief.

    Veterans Resources

    Military One Source                                                  
    Defense & Veterans Brain Injury Center         
    Veterans Crisis Line  ~  1-800-273-8255,  Press 1  
    Adam Bolton- Veteran & Military Affairs Coordinator-
    Guide to understanding ROTC Programs.  The college guide for service members and veterans. 
    (814) 472-3113
    arb101@Francis.edu        

     

    How can the counseling center help parents?

    Counselors are available for consultation with parents. We can provide additional information about the types of services available through our Center and help parents to identify off-campus resources when appropriate. We can discuss your concerns with you and help you to make decisions about the appropriateness of a referral to the Counseling Center and ways to discuss this with your son or daughter. The counselors are also very familiar with additional support resources on campus and can help you to assess ways to connect your son or daughter with those resources.

    What is counseling center's approach to confidentiality?

    Confidentiality is an important part of establishing trust in an effective counseling relationship. confidentiality laws also prohibit us from sharing any information about a student's counseling contact without written permission. However, confidentiality considerations do not prohibit us from discussing ways in which parents can be helpful in dealing with issues their sons and daughters are confronting. In most cases these discussions are held with a counselor other than the one working with the student in question.

    Do you have any wellness tips I can recommend to my child?
    • Facilitate good decision-making skills.
    • Stress the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
      • Healthy sleeping pattern -8 to 10 hour a night
      • Healthy eating habits - 3 meals a day of nutritional value 
      • Exercise
    • Discuss how often you will keep in touch
    • Assist student in creating a budget to manage finances.
      • Discuss responsible use of credit cards.
      • Gift cards are a good alternative to credit.
    • Talk about your concerns regarding the use of alcohol & drugs.
    • Become familiar with Saint Francis University website and the many campus resources available to assist your student.
    • If student has a chronic illness or is on medication, assist student in making arrangements for continuity in their care.
    • If student is involved in counseling prior to beginning college, do not discontinue services. Encourage student to schedule an appointment for fall break and maintain appointment even if student seems to be making a positive adjustment to transition.
    • Be patient with student and yourself. This transition can be a time if great ambivalence for you both.
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