23 October 2006

Counseling Center earns accreditation

Longwood University’s Counseling Center has earned accreditation from the International Association of Counseling Services (IACS).  The accreditation is the result of a yearlong process that involved a thorough program evaluation and site visit by the IACS Board of Accreditation.  Longwood’s Counseling Center is among approximately 170 counseling centers in the world and only five in Virginia to earn IACS accreditation.

The IACS encourages and aids counseling services throughout the United States and internationally to meet high professional standards; to inform the public about those which are competent and reliable; and to foster communication among counseling services operating in a variety of settings. The organization is committed to furthering the visibility of the counseling profession and improving its quality.

“It is clear that your service offers an effective and comprehensive program of services that make a vital contribution to the quality of student and campus life,” said Dr. Jeffrey Prince, chair of the IACS accreditation board.  “In its review, the Board was especially complimentary of your services’ high reputation on campus, your dedicated staff, and your responsiveness to the site visitors’ recommendations.”

The Counseling Center is staffed by Dr. Wayne O’Brien, director; Dr. Maureen Walls-McKay, assistant director; Michelle Vaughn, counselor; and Betty Newman, administrative assistant.