To compassionately promote, support and advocate for the psychological wellbeing of Towson University’s diverse student body
A community that empowers and equips every student to maximize their psychological health and pursue their fullest potential at Towson University and beyond
Compassion and empathy: We approach our work with caring and understanding and without judgment; we appreciate other people’s perspectives.
Growth: We are invested in helping students acquire new perspectives, skills and self-awareness; we are committed to our own ongoing learning.
Social justice and inclusion: We work to create and promote an environment where all people feel welcomed, respected, supported and valued; we focus on ensuring that all students have access to our services.
Wellbeing: We consider all aspects of a student’s life; we encourage students to access resources that provide support in the varied domains of wellbeing.
Teamwork and community: We maximize each of our strengths to promote inclusion and success toward shared goals; we work to involve the entire campus community in promoting student wellbeing.
Towson University’s mission focuses on providing graduates with the “vision, creativity
and adaptability to craft solutions that enrich the culture, society, economy and
environment of the state, the region and beyond.” (Towson University Mission). The Towson University Division of Student Affairs includes the strategic priority
of supporting and enhancing student health and wellbeing. (Division of Student Affairs Strategic Roadmap). Towson University’s Counseling Center (“TUCC” or the “Counseling Center”) is part
of the Student Health and Wellbeing (SHAW) subdivision, which includes the Health
Center and Campus Recreation. TUCC exists to help support students when they encounter
obstacles toward reaching the goals articulated in the University and Divisional priorities
and to promote students’ self-awareness and engagement in behaviors for optimal health
and wellbeing. The mission of the Counseling Center is “to compassionately promote,
support and advocate for the psychological wellbeing of Towson University’s diverse
student body.”
To this end, the Counseling Center prioritizes quick access, various treatment options,
and customized treatment plans. Semesters pass quickly, and when students face barriers
to their academic success, they need prompt assistance to prevent problems from escalating
to a point where they are more difficult to address. Personalized treatment plans
allow clinicians to consider the specific circumstances, identities, and goals of
each individual student. Students are most likely to benefit from services tailored
to their needs. Given the diverse range of service options, clinicians can provide
customized recommendations, increasing the chances that students will follow through
with and benefit from their counseling center treatment.
All currently enrolled TU students, whether non-degree or matriculating, are entitled to an initial assessment of needs in a same-day initial appointment. Through this system, clinicians work collaboratively with students to develop treatment recommendations.
During summer and minimester, students who are enrolled for the upcoming fall or spring semester are eligible for services.
When clinically indicated, ongoing clients who are not currently enrolled (including those who have graduated or medically withdrawn) may be seen for up to three sessions to help bridge TUCC services with those off campus.
Students who are currently receiving community-based mental health treatment are eligible for a same-day session at TUCC to determine if adjunctive services at the Counseling Center might be helpful. However, having more than one individual therapist at the same time has the potential to interfere with treatment. Therefore, the TUCC does not offer individual counseling to students who are already engaged in therapy off campus.
Our Flexible Care Model is a flexible, multifaceted, culturally responsive, collaborative approach to addressing student mental health needs. TUCC offers a variety of treatment options designed to meet diverse individualized needs. Flexible care allows TUCC clinicians to conduct brief screening focused on the problem and provide a customized plan for the most appropriate treatment level. The system offers various level-of-care options within the Counseling Center, enables connection with other relevant university departments and resources, and assists with referrals to community resources when the highest level of care (e.g., IOP, PHP, and inpatient care) is recommended/necessary.
Students who can benefit from TUCC services are those with mild to moderate difficulties in their functioning whose needs are acute and time-limited (e.g., relationship issues, grief, and loss, mild to moderate anxiety, subclinical depression, academic distress, etc.). The Counseling Center is also an excellent resource for students with common developmental concerns (e.g., identity/identity development and transition; separation-individuation concerns; issues related to race, culture, gender, sexual orientation; life transitions; and issues related to oppression/discrimination).
Clients whose needs are beyond TUCC’s scope of services can receive brief crisis management support and assistance with a referral for ongoing care.
TUCC is not able to provide ongoing treatment for students requiring long-term treatment, intensive therapy, or care by a specialist. This includes students who have significantly elevated levels of risk to self or others, students who have severe symptoms, and students who suffer from a disorder that requires special expertise (e.g., major depression, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, psychotic disorders, bipolar disorders, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), etc.) TUCC is also not able to provide psychological testing or evaluations to attain accommodations through the Office of Accessibility and Disability Services (ADS) or documentation for an emotional support animal.
Off-campus referral is considered when clients need specialist consultation, intensive or long-term outpatient therapy, and acute or chronic inpatient care (i.e., hospitalization, inpatient, PHP, or residential treatment). TUCC staff care deeply about the mental health and well-being of all students. TUCC understands that many students would prefer to be seen for treatment at the Counseling Center if possible and acknowledges that cultural and intrapersonal variables interact with a student’s ability and willingness to seek community-based mental health treatment. Therefore, clinicians take a collaborative, person-centered, and culturally sensitive approach to referrals.
The staff members of the Towson University Counseling Center strive to affirm, promote and celebrate diversity. We are committed to being aware of and understanding diversity in its broadest sense.
The staff at the Counseling Center values the importance of diversity for all individuals. People from every background are affected by issues of culture. Multicultural competence is therefore an essential component of our work with every client.
We all benefit from an understanding of how power, privilege, cultural identities (e.g. gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, social class, and many others) and individual differences affect our daily experiences.
We recognize that students come to the center at various levels of comfort with these identities and therefore, make it a priority to meet students where they are. All of our lives are enhanced by a better understanding of the diverse world in which we live.
The Counseling Center grieves with the rest of the Towson University community each time a new incident of hate-related violence and intimidation occurs in our world. These tragedies reflect a longstanding and entrenched history of structural and systemic injustice that we condemn and are dedicated to addressing.
We also recognize that these tragedies may be especially injurious to people who are members of targeted communites, including people with minoritized racial identities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ability statuses, and religious and ethnic identities. The debalitating psychological effects of systemic and historical oppression cannot be underestimated.
We are here to support our Towson University family whose members may be coping with feelings of grief, rage, fear, helplessness, depression, sadness, and guilt. We encourage you to contact our office if you or someone you know would like support with coping and healing. We see you and we are here for you.
With love, solidarity, and support,
The Counseling Center Staff