Tips on using
 the site

Counseling Center

WELCOME

Welcome to the Ross University School of Medicine Counseling Center.

Our staff is available to assist you with personal, social, and/or academic problems. Please visit us in the Behavioral Science Building located next to Classroom 1.

MISSION STATEMENT

The professional staff of the RUSM Counseling Center has dedicated themselves to creating a positive, supportive atmosphere to which all Ross students are welcomed. Our mission is to provide psychological, developmental, and educational services to our students. We strive to promote academic, personal, career, and social development. We are committed to providing quality services and support to medical students by offering personal counseling, couples and family counseling, career guidance and accommodation services. It is our commitment to respond to personal needs, provide support, and maintain an attitude that reflects compassion, commitment, confidentiality, and concern for each and every student. In addition to counseling, the staff provides regular programming and workshops aimed at enhancing personal and professional development, academic performance, career decision making, and mental, emotional, social, and physical well-being. All of our services are free to medical students and clinical services are strictly confidential.

COUNSELING SERVICES AVAILABLE

• Individual counseling
• Couples counseling
• Support groups
• Educational programming

CONSULTATION

• PRIVACY-Our Promise to You
  The RUSM Counseling Center is a safe place for Ross students, staff and faculty to share private information. People who come here have the right to confidentiality. What is discussed with your therapist will stay within the Counseling Center unless:
• You give us written permission to do otherwise
• A danger to self or others exists
• We are specifically required by law in cases of abuse

CULTURAL DIVERSITY & COMPETENCY

The staff at the RUSM Counseling Center is especially sensitive to issues of diversity and their influence on student adjustment, identity, and growth. We are committed to providing services for issues relative to diversity (e.g. multiculturalism, gender, gay/lesbian, disability, and/or race) with an emphasis on appreciating the impact of individual differences.

We work regularly with students from diverse backgrounds and attend to issues of race and culture and their impact on student identity and development, self-esteem, and academic adjustment.

ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICES

As a student currently enrolled at Ross you are eligible for services. Additionally, spouses, children as well as faculty and staff are welcome.

STAFF

Our professional staff includes:

• Dr. Claudia Hutchinson, Licensed Professional Counselor (Director)
• Ms. Jacqueline Douglas, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
• Dr. Patrick Goff, Licensed Psychologist
• Dr. David Sacks, Licensed Psychologist
• Dr. Paul Abney, Licensed Professional Counselor
• Jonathan Holmsten, Licensed Professional Counselor (Bahamas)
  

LOCATION

The Center is located in the Behavioral Science adjacent to Classroom 1.

HOURS

We are generally available daily from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

THE INTAKE INTERVIEW

Counseling begins with a 50-minute intake interview appointment. Your initial appointment will be spent exploring your current problems and needs. Your therapist will determine how you can be best served in the weeks to come. After this initial appointment you and your counselor will decide the next best step. You may continue working with the counselor who completes your intake or you may be assigned (you may request) to another counselor on staff depending your needs.

If you do continue work with a therapist, you will probably meet weekly, for 50 minute appointments, for a semester or less.

APPOINTMENTS

For more information or to arrange an appointment, stop by or call the Counseling Center at (767) 255-6371. Also, there are Counseling Services Request Forms (Blue Sheets) available at the Secretary's Reception area which can be confidentially forwarded to Counseling Center.

As counselors, we are committed to modeling and teaching the value of respectful and responsible behavior in our interactions with others. Therefore, we stress the importance of honoring the counselor's time, as well as your own, in keeping appointments.

If you need to cancel an appointment, we ask that you do so at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled appointment. Calling ahead of time to cancel or reschedule is considerate of the counselor's time as well as that of other individuals who may be in need of services.

We hope this information will be helpful to you as you pursue your academic and personal goals.

MAKING AN APPOINTMENT FOR MEDICAL CONSULTATION

When a student presents at Counseling Center with signs indicating that medication may be useful in their treatment, the therapist may request a medication consultation from one of the medical staff. In this consultation, the use of medication will be discussed, including the benefits and possible risks or side effects of the medication. If medication is begun, the medical consultant will help the student monitor the use of the medication.

Students may call 6301-Student Health Clinic to schedule an appointment for medication consultation.

A DISCLAIMER ABOUT ELECTRONIC MAIL

We discourage persons from contacting us via e-mail regarding personal problems. The nature of e-mail is such that we cannot guarantee the confidentiality of your correspondence, nor do we find e-mail communications as useful as in-depth, face-to-face contact. Moreover, we cannot guarantee we will read your e-mail right away or respond in a timely fashion. We do encourage, however, your contacting us in whatever way you are comfortable if the alternative is not to contact us at all.

WEB RESOURCES

Please note that these links all connect to sites that are not under the control of the Counseling Center. While we believe that these sites offer useful information, we are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any information posted there.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Anger and Conflict Resolution

College Student Virtual Pamphlet Collection

Domestic Violence

Eating Disorders

Gender Roles and Identity

Narcotics Anonymous

National Institute of Mental Health

Panic and Anxiety Disorders

Sexual Assault Issues

Stress Management

Study Skills

Stop by and visit...or just browse through our on-line information. Be safe and healthy! Comments can be e-mailed to: jdouglas@rossmed.edu.dm