Our mission is to enhance the academic goals of the student and the college by providing support and assistance. We do this with a commitment to the development of the whole person: academically, personally, socially, spiritually and physically. We seek to value the self-worth of each person and respect and embrace human diversity.

Counseling Services are covered by the 'Health Fee' and available to all SVC students.

We provide crisis intervention, brief counseling services, consultation and educational outreach programs designed to help students:

• Resolve personal problems that interfere in academic success
• Cope with and adjust to college and life pressures
• Learn skills to optimize personal effectiveness

Office hours are:  Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. For non-emergencies, please call for an appointment: extension 2115 or 724-805-2115. For on-campus emergencies dial Public Safety at x2911 or 724-805-2911.

• FOR FACULTY & STAFF: Referring a Student to Counseling
• When to Seek Counseling
• Community Resources
• Confidentiality

Students will appreciate your willingness to listen, and if the situation warrants, you will have established the trust necessary for an effective and successful referral to us.

CONSULTATIONS: If you are concerned about a student or situation, but are not sure of how to proceed, call Counseling Services (x2115). A personal counselor will return your call and help you determine an appropriate course of action. Don't carry it all on your shoulders. Consultations are a regular part of our services, and are frequently used by concerned parents and roommates as well as faculty and staff.

Signs Suggesting the Need for a Referral to Counseling Services

Advisement Problems

• Inability to Choose Courses
• Unwillingness to Take Required Courses
• Career Indecision
• Focus of Advisement Meeting Shifts from Discussion of Coursework to Personal Issues

Academic Problems

• Excessive Procrastination
• Uncharacteristically Poor Work
• Inconsistent Work
• Repeated Requests for Special Consideration

Interpersonal Interactions

• Dependency on Advisor/ "Hanging Around"
• Avoidance of Professor or Other Students
• Behavior Which Regularly Interferes with Decorum of Classroom
• Complaints from Peers

Behavioral Markers

• Marked Change in Personal Hygiene
• Dramatic Weight Gain or Loss
• Frequent Falling Asleep in Class
• Irritability, Particularly in Conjunction with Unruly Behavior
• Impaired Speech or Garbled, Disjointed Thoughts
• Unusually Soft or Loud Voice, or Unusually Slow or Fast Cadence in Speech
• Tearfulness or Intense Emotion

EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

• Expression of Suicidal Thoughts
• Expression of Homicidal Thoughts
• Severe Loss of Emotional Control
• Gross Impairment in Thinking Ability
• Bizarre Behavior

How to Make A Referral

If you become aware that a student is having personal or family problems (for example, illness of a family member), it is often useful to ask: "Are you talking with anyone about this?"

If you feel that a student would benefit from a referral for counseling, it is usually best to express your concern and recommendation directly to the student. If a student needs help immediately, offer to call Counseling Services with the him or her present.

If you call  Counseling Services on behalf of a student, identify yourself and let us know that you are assisting a student in making an appointment; then allow the student to speak with the counselor to arrange an appointment time. Be sure to let us know if the situation is urgent and requires immediate attention. If it is an emergency situation, dial Public Safely at extension 2911.

Client confidentiality prohibits us from providing you with information about a student  without their consent.  If you believe that it would be helpful to the student for you to receive an update, you  can ask the student about signing a release of information form. Even in cases where you do not feel that it is necessary to be updated,  it is almost always appropriate for you to check back with the student, to ascertain whether he or she has followed through on your recommendation. This communicates your continued interest and concern.

The personal counselors are more than willing to consult with you about providing support and appropriate interventions.  Please feel free to contact us at (724) 805-2115 or extension 2115. We are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30.

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A counselor is an objective listener who can help:

When your self esteem is low...

Building self-confidence
Expanding social skills
Learning to be more assertive
Improving your body image

When you are having academic difficulty...

Test anxiety
Communicating with professors
Evaluating your academic strengths and interests
Procrastination
Time management

When you have concerns about relationships...

Roommate problems
Establishing independence from your family
Conflict management
Social isolation
Abusive behavior
Dealing with your parents' divorce
Loss of a relationship
Sexual orientation

When the worry is overwhelming...

Anxiety
Panic attacks
Perfectionism
Obsessive/Compulsive behavior

When it is more than just the blues...

Difficulty concentrating
Loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities
Hopelessness
Depression
Mood fluctuations
Suicidal thoughts and behavior
Seasonal depression

When you have concerns about substance abuse...

Alcohol abuse
Drug abuse
Adult child of a substance abuser issues

When you have experienced a traumatic event...

Death of a loved one
Coping with an ill or dying family member
Sexual assault
Natural disaster
Transportation accident

When you have concerns about the future...

Transitioning from college to work
Evaluating options to transfer schools
Career decisions
Financial stress

When you are coping with a disability...

Communicating with professors
Career decisions
Becoming your own advocate

When you are concerned about a loved one...

Providing your loved one with support
Setting limits when you become over-stressed
Encouraging your loved one to get help

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All communications between you and your counselor will be held in confidence and will not, except under the circumstances explained below, be disclosed to anyone outside of Counseling Services unless you give written authorization to release the information.

In some situations involving danger and/or risk of imminent harm to yourself or specifically identified others, child abuse, or dependent adult abuse, your counselor is required to disclose certain information in order to protect you and/or others. In certain legal situations, including court order, your counselor is required to disclose information as necessary to comply with the law in that situation. If at all possible, your counselor will discuss the procedures for doing this with you and enlist your assistance in resolution of the situation that has necessitated such disclosure.

Counselor Records
Counseling files are NOT part of academic records, and no one has access to them except the staff of Counseling Services. Complete records are maintained for 5 years.

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