Longwood University Counseling Center
Learning Plan 2006-2007

Wayne R. O’Brien, Ph.D.
Maureen J. Walls-McKay, Psy.D.
Michelle D. Vaughan, M.A.

Counseling Center’s Learning Plan (2006-2007)

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 expressions, and critically and logically respond to the complex world around them.

1. Learning Outcomes:

• Expand experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate students through the use of independent research experiences.

• Help students to develop a value system that emphasizes lifelong learning and personal growth

• Promote an understanding of psychology and research at a much higher level.

• Encourage students to enjoy conducting research and feel confident in their ability to tackle complex tasks.

• Connect students to the professional community.

2. Membership on Longwood University’s Human and Animal Subjects Research Review Committee.

3. Assessment:

• Assessed by collaboration with academic affairs, outcome of proposal reviews, and successful research projects.

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 student an opportunity to apply classroom learning in a professional setting (work-related experience).

• Build on the students’ programming, communication, and research skills.

• Provide a supervised experience, including ongoing goal setting and feedback.

• 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.

1. Learning Outcomes:

• Increase 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

3. Assessment:
   • Intake data and subsequent observation of problems, learning, and changes. Case notes.

 Goal 4:  A balanced and healthy lifestyle, which means making 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” Class

                 3.      Assessment:

• Completion of assignments prior to class.

• Instructors’ observations.

• 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 effect 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.

• Self-Presentation in the Classroom.

• Drinking, Driving, Drugs, FaceBook and Jobs.

• Presence, a Gift to Yourself.

• Sustainability.

• A Search for Your Inner Strength.

                         3.      Assessment:

•   Evaluations.

         D.

            1.   Learning Outcomes:

•  Make informed and responsible decisions.

•  Overcome or eliminate self-defeating behaviors.

•  Function better or feel better about self.

                        2.      Individual Counseling

3.      Assessment:

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

         E.  

            1.   Learning Outcomes:

•  Gain knowledge on the benefits of mindfulness/meditation practices.

•   Learn basic skills involved in breath-led meditation.

•   Learn about area resources for meditation classes and retreats.

                         2.      Meditation and Mindfulness Workshop.

 3.      Assessment:

• Participants will be able to identify common benefits of mindfulness/meditation.

• Participants will demonstrate the ability to participate in brief, guided breath-led meditation practices.

• Participants will be provided lists of area resources for later use.

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.

             A.

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.

• Recognize and address internal and external prejudices, stereotypes, etc.

                         2.      Individual Counseling

 3.      Assessment:

• Case notes and clinical observations.

         B. 

            1.  Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the role and importance of coming out as lesbian, gay, or bisexual to others.

• Understand the risks and benefits associated with coming out as LGB to others.

• Provide a list of LGB-friendly organizations with contact information.

                         2.      Coming Out of the Closet Program

                         3.      Assessment:

• Gain knowledge about the relationship between coming out, identity development, and mental health.

• Demonstrate knowledge of coming out risks and benefits and will provide additional information.

• Provided a list of LGB-friendly organizations with contact information.

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.

This is an area that the Counseling Center contributes by collaborative efforts such as:

1. The Peer Helper Program.
2. “Globalization and Pluralism” Project. (American Democracy Project).
3. Sustainability Committee.
4. Wellness Team.
5. ATOD Committee.
6. Professional Development Team.
7. Two CAS Studies:  LGB Services and Programs; International Students Services.
8. Care Team.
9. Adviser to the Catholic Community Ministry.
10. Relay for Life
11. Others.

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