Longwood University Counseling Center
Learning Plan 2005-2006

Wayne R. O’Brien, Ph.D.
Maureen J. Walls-McKay, Psy.D.

Counseling Center’s Learning Plan (2005-2006)

Goal 1:  Mastery of a broad body of knowledge in the liberal arts and sciences, so students can see things in perspective, appreciate and enjoy artistic expression, and critically, and logically respond to the complex world around them.

This goal will not be addressed this year.

Goal 2:  Mastery of a specialized body of knowledge, so that students will have the expertise to be competitive and successful in their chosen careers.

1. Learning Outcomes

• offer students an opportunity to apply classroom learning in a professional setting (work-related experiences).

• provide a supervised experience, including on-going goal setting and feedback.

• build on the student’s programming, communication, and research skills.

• gain self-knowledge and insight as it relates to the counseling profession.

• utilize a variety of skills and develop further competencies

• gain a knowledge of the administration, services, and inner workings of the Counseling Center.

2. Undergraduate Internship

3. Assessment:
   • weekly supervision meetings (observations)
   • completion of goals and objectives
   • grade
   • end of semester evaluation
   • reflection paper on what the student learned (feedback)/during the internship.

Goal 3:  A sense of personal direction, so students can plan their future wisely and with honor, acquiring self-understanding, self-confidence, and a meaningful philosophy of life.

              A.     1.      Learning Outcomes

• increased self-knowledge

• students will work at life more conscientiously – to consistently reflect, evaluate, and revise choices

• increased personal meaning

• increase student self-esteem

• educate students about additional resources

    2.      Individual counseling and crisis intervention

      3.      Assessment:

• intake data and subsequent clinical observations of problems, learning, and changes. Case notes

 Goal 4:  A balanced and healthy lifestyle, which means making responsible choices related to values, friends, family, work, recreation, and life-long education.

             A.       1.      Learning Outcomes

• gain a better understanding of themselves

• reflect on the pros and cons of drinking choices

• learn to prevent or minimize the harm associated with decisions

• learn to be responsible for their choices and subsequent consequences

• learn better decision-making and harm reduction strategies

                         2.      “First Round” Classes

 3.      Assessment:

• completion of assignments prior to class

• instructors’ observation

• evaluations

B.         1.      Learning Outcomes

• understand addictions

• understand the harmful effects of alcohol and marijuana on the body

• explore the pros and cons of high and low risk behavior

• understand the effects alcohol has on the college/university experience

• become aware of treatment options

                         2.      “Last Call” Classes

 3.      Assessment

• completion of assignments prior to class

• instructors’ observations

• evaluations

C.         1.  Learning Outcomes

• provide students the opportunity to gain information regarding topics relevant to the Longwood students’ well-being and academic performance.

• expose students to a variety of faculty and staff (presenters).

• promote personal growth, increased self-awareness, and self-understanding.

                          2.      Food for Thought Program Series

• Alcohol Use

• Internet Use/Computer Games

• Sleep Difficulties

• Relationship Difficulties

• Stress

• Death of a Friend/Family Member

                          3.      Assessment: 

• evaluations

            D.          1.      Learning Outcomes

• make informed and responsible decisions

• overcome or eliminate self-defeating behaviors

• function better and feel better about self

• reduce problematic symptoms and behaviors

                          2.      Individual Counseling

  3.      Assessment:

• intake data and subsequent clinical observations of problems, learning, and changes.  Case notes.

Goal 5:  Interpersonal effectiveness and an appreciation of diversity and differences, so that students can establish genuine, trusting, and honorable relationship within the broad family of humanity.

             1.  Learning Outcomes

• improve students ability to develop satisfying, healthy relationships

• gain a more open-minded perspective and become more open to areas outside their natural comfort zone.

             2.      Individual Counseling

 3.      Assessment:

• case notes and clinical observations

Goal 6:  Responsible citizenship, so that students can do their best in ways uniquely their own and have motivation to contribute to a better life through community participation and leadership.

1.      Learning Outcomes:

• students will learn how to contribute to the university community and the community at large.

             2.      Peer Helpers, Catholic Campus Ministry

             3.      Assessment: 

• observation, peer education efforts, community service projects.

Non-Learning Report
Counseling Center
2005-2006

I.  Summary

This report is an adjunct to the Learning Outcomes Report previously submitted. We made progress in completing our CAS Action Plan except for enhancing our group program and increasing our salaries to recommended levels. The majority of the students completing our survey reported being satisfied with our services. In terms of retention, 90.8% of our clients completed the academic year. Many of the students who withdrew were already “at risk” and needed to leave for their own well-being. We completed the accreditation process. We will be given official feedback from the IACS Board soon.

II. CAS Study

     The following actions satisfied the recommendations of our CAS Report:

1.  We hired Dr. Tracy Druckenbrod who started on February 15, 2006 and ended on May 15, 2006.

2.  We hired Michelle Vaughan for a full-time position (10 months). She will begin on August 10, 2006. She completed an internship at Towson University’s Counseling Center. She is completing a doctorate in counseling psychology at the University of Atron.

3.  We re-issued the Faculty Guide on How to Handle Students in Distress. The Faculty Guide is also available on the Counseling Center’s webpage.

4.  The Office of Human Resources has completed a compensation study. It is unclear whether any adjustments will be made that will insure our “compensation is commensurate with those in comparable positions in comparable institutions and situations in the relevant geographical region” (CAS Standards). Dr. Deakin, IACS Field Visitor, wrote, “Staff salaries appear to be low compared to regional averages. The University has established a plan to adjust faculty and administrative salaries across the institution. Longwood’s salary levels are low compared to public institutions within Virginia.” 

III. Topic Areas

1.  Individual Counseling

We counseled 238 students; they were seen for 977 sessions. We dealt with 41 crisis/emergency situations. Satisfaction surveys were sent out to our clientele near the end of the semester. 11.8% of the surveys were completed and returned.

Satisfaction Survey Results:
     The majority of the respondents reported “yes” or “definitely yes” to …

1.   I was able to set up an appointment within a reasonable time (89.3%).
2.  The receptionist was friendly and helpful (96.4%).
3.   I was confident that the information I discussed with my counselor would be kept confidential (100%).
4.   My counselor was effective in helping me deal with my concern (82.1%).
5.   I felt comfortable with my counselor (85.7%).
6.   I would recommend my counselor (85.7%).
7.   Overall, I was satisfied with the services I received (85.7%).
8.   As a result of counseling, I now feel..

81.4% responded “better” or “much better.”

216 clients (90.8%) completed the academic year. The reasons given for withdrawing were the following:

		5 medical withdrawals
		3 academic suspensions
		3 personal
		3 transfers
		2 disciplinary suspensions
		2 no reason
		1 no show
		1 employment
		1 other

Of the 22 students (9.8%), 10 were seen for only one session. 20 were women (90.9%), 2 were men (9.1%).

After reviewing the case files of the 22 students, they withdrew more for personal/psychological reasons then academic difficulties. Their psychological problems were severe enough to interfere with their academic and personal functioning. Many of the students could be considered “at risk” prior to attending Longwood. For example, students were dealing with the following:

		3 sexual
		7 depressions
		2 griefs
		1 drug use
		1 bipolar
		1 personality disorder
		2 alcohol abuse (1 legal difficulty)

3.  IACS (International Association of Counseling Services) Accreditation

We completed the accreditation process with Dr. Spencer Deakin’s field visit on May 5, 2006. I have received and responded to Dr. Deakin’s evaluation report. The IACS Board will respond to our request for accreditation after reviewing the evaluation report, my follow-up letter, and related materials. The report made some recommendations that would improve our services.

4. Wellness Team

The Wellness Team completed an ecological study of the campus environment by analyzing already existing assessment data.

IV. Action Plan

1.  We will attempt to enhance our group program by offering more group opportunities this year. This is a recommendation of the CAS Study that we have not met. More specific plans will be forthcoming when Michelle Vaughan joins us. This issue will be addressed throughout the academic year.

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