Counseling Services

Services

• Short term individual therapy
• Group therapy/workshop opportunities
• Screenings for depression, anxiety, eating disorders and alcohol
• Sexual assault services
• Outreach workshops, presentations, and campus screenings
• Consultation with students or staff about mental health issues
• Services for veterans adjusting to civilian life and college after deployment
• Embedded counselor in the Conservatory of Performing Arts

Commonly Discussed Issues

• Adjusting to college
• Anxiety and stress reduction
• Time management
• Academics
• Decision-making skills
• Eating and weight
• Sexual assault and relationship violence
• Depression
• Relationships and family
• Health
• Drug and alcohol issues
• Conflict management
• Culture and identity
• Anything that concerns you

Counseling Services offers industry-approved telehealth counseling appointments.

BW also partners with national providers of telemedicine behavioral health services. Students have access to these services free of charge. A full list of services is also available through the Counseling Services page in Jacket Connect.

ProtoCall

ProtoCall, one of the nation's leading providers of telephonic behavioral health services. Students can access a counselor on call 24/7 by calling (440) 260-4399.

Apply for an internship in BW's Counseling Center.

Vision and Values

Counseling Services focuses on positive growth and development. Services emphasize client strengths and well-being rather than psychological pathology. Counseling Services also embraces the following values:

• Diversity - Counseling Services is committed to providing a welcoming, affirming and inclusive environment. Emphasis is placed on having a diverse staff with competence in providing multicultural counseling.
• Creativity - Counseling Services encourages creativity as a gateway toward innovation and growth. Maintaining an attitude of creative openness benefits both client and staff. Clients benefit by having access to services they find current and accessible. Staff benefit by working in an environment where their ideas are honored and supported.
• Excellence - Counseling Services strives to provide the highest quality services consistent with professional standards. The staff adheres to all professional and ethical standards and is encouraged to stay current with the latest research on counseling practice through professional development opportunities.
• Friendliness - Consistent with BW's commitment to creating a supportive environment for its students, Counseling Services creates a welcoming and approachable atmosphere. Students have easy access to services tailored to their individual needs and concerns.
• Collaboration - Counseling Services makes every effort to collaborate with the Division of Student Affairs, the University and the broader community while maintaining confidentiality for its clients.
• A Holistic Approach - Counseling Services reflects a philosophy of seeing each student in a multidimensional manner. Along with the psychological aspects of each client, dimensions such as gender identification, spirituality, race/ethnicity, culture, social and issues of development also are considered when treating clients.

The mission of Baldwin Wallace University Counseling Services is to support and enhance the personal growth and development of BW's student body. Services provided are tailored to assist students in meeting their personal, academic, social and career goals. Services to meet the mental health needs of the BW student body are provided with an emphasis on maintaining the high standards of the counseling and psychological profession. In that, a commitment to client confidentiality, ethical behavior and counseling practice that reflects current research and standards are central to our mission and daily practice.

Baldwin Wallace University Counseling Services is committed to contributing to the region's ongoing efforts to train and produce quality clinicians in the field of counseling and psychology. Toward this goal, Counseling Services has established itself as a highly sought after internship/practicum training site focused on maintaining exceptional standards of excellence in training counseling and psychology students as they meet requirements for internship/practicum placement, and ultimately, licensure. Clinical experiences that include individual and/or group therapy, crisis intervention, campus outreach and intensive individual and group supervision provided by licensed mental health professionals are central to our model.

Counseling Services recognizes that having a student in college can be stressful for families, especially if their student is having trouble adjusting to college life. Here are answers to the most common questions asked regarding Counseling Services:

• I think my student needs counseling services. How can I know for sure?
  Family members are often the first to notice when students are encountering overwhelming stress or having problems coping which can interfere with academic performance, personal relationships and daily behavior. Some warnings signs that might signal the need for a referral to Counseling Services include:
  • changes in sleep, appetite or energy level
  • social withdrawal or isolation
  • changes in personal hygiene
  • signs of excessive alcohol and/or drug use
  • expressions of sadness, unhappiness or mistrust
  • change in academic performance; absenteeism in class
  • loss of interest in activities that were previously pleasurable or meaningful
  • crying spells
  • physical complaints without a known medical cause
  • unusual repetitive or ritualistic behavior
  • relationship problems with family or friends
  • talk or reference, whether direct or indirect, to suicide
  • previous emotional disturbance or treatment
  • recent traumatic event or loss

• How do I encourage my student to seek help?
  Talk with your student in a caring and direct manner about the behavior(s) that concern you. Suggest Counseling Services as a resource. Be knowledgeable about our services and how to schedule an appointment. For students who express ambivalence about seeking support, normalize the process of pursuing counseling by:
  • Reassuring the student that counseling services are appropriate for anyone needing assistance in coping with and resolving emotional and/or interpersonal concerns.
  • Letting the student know that no problem is too big or too small for counseling.
  • Informing the student that they can make an appointment to speak to a counselor once without making a commitment to ongoing counseling.
  • Reminding the student that any information shared during counseling sessions is kept strictly confidential and will not be disclosed to anyone without their written permission.
  • Acknowledging, validating and discussing any fears or concerns about seeking help. Some students may feel that counseling is an admission of weakness or failure. Tell students that it takes considerable courage and integrity to face oneself, acknowledge one's troubles or difficulties and admit the desire or need for assistance.
  • Suggest that the student visit the Counseling Services website to learn about the staff and services offered.
  • Consult with Counseling Services staff!

• My student refuses to seek help even though I'm convinced they need it. What can I do?
  This is a tough situation that often leaves parents feeling helpless. Except in cases of imminent danger to self or others, it is important to remember that counseling is a personal choice. Continue to listen and be supportive. Your student might still be considering counseling or may want to make the decision in private. If you continue to be concerned about behavior(s), please consult with Counseling Services staff at (440) 826-2180.

• If my student seeks help at Counseling Services, will I be informed and how much will I be involved?
  Confidentiality is an essential part of any counseling relationship. Counseling Services adheres to confidentiality guidelines mandated by Ohio law as well as those required by professional licensing boards. We understand and appreciate that parents often wish to be involved when their student seeks counseling. Unfortunately, the aforementioned confidentiality guidelines do not permit us to talk with parents in any way about their student's participation in counseling without the student's written consent. We also cannot confirm or deny that a student has come to a counseling session or disclose the name of their counselor. However, you should always feel free to contact us if you have any concerns about your student and/or want us to be aware of something concerning your student.

Sophia Kallergis, Psy.D., Director
Sophia Kallergis is director of the counseling center. She received her master's degree in clinical counseling from Cleveland State and her Doctor of Psychology from Wright State University. She has been working in college mental health for over 12 years and is thrilled to be at here at BW and be a part of this vibrant and dynamic community. Her areas of clinical interest include adjustment and relationship concerns, multicultural issues, self-esteem and identity exploration and body image and disordered eating concerns. She enjoys working with first generation college students and international students and strives to assist all individuals in developing a healthy lifestyle and effectively managing conflict and stress. She believes that lasting change comes from self-awareness and self-compassion which is enhanced through a collaborative therapeutic work relationship that promotes empowerment and respects self-determination.

Timothy Hall, M.Ed., PCC-S, Associate Director
Timothy Hall is a licensed clinical counselor supervisor. He received his master's degree from the University of Georgia and has been working in college mental health for over 10 years. His professional interests include mood and anxiety concerns, adjustment issues, identity exploration and self-compassion. Tim also directs the BW Center for Awareness, Resilience and Education (CARE) and advises the BW chapter of Active Minds. He is passionate about peer education, outreach and education for the campus community, advocacy for student wellness and mental health stigma reduction. He enjoys working with college students and supervising counselors in training.

Saissy Kendig, CNP, Psychiatry

Mina Neal, M.Ed., LPCC
Mina Neal is a licensed professional counselor. She completed a B.A. in sociology from Ohio State University, a M.S. in psychology from Capella University, and a M.Ed in clinical mental health counseling from Cleveland State University. She utilizes an eclectic approach in counseling which is flexible and meets the person where they're at. Her training and experience also provide therapeutic strategies, various ideas, and multicultural counseling's to all individuals. She is skilled in evidence-based models to process trauma, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). For her, counseling must be based on trust, safety and collaboration. She values a client counselor relationship.

Mariah Bruening, ATR, LPCC-S, Clinical Counselor, Conservatory of Performing Arts
Mariah is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with a Master of Arts in Counseling and Art Therapy from Ursuline College. For the last 25 years, she has provided mental health services for individuals from a variety of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. She is also a graduate of the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory.

Her areas of focus include anxiety, depression, self-esteem and identity issues, adjustment issues, trauma and a range of other mental health concerns. She specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy, and where appropriate, her art therapy training allows the option for clients to use creative expression to explore thoughts, feelings and belief systems in a non-threatening environment. As a BW Conservatory graduate, she has a unique understanding of the stresses and challenges that performance-oriented students experience every day. She takes a collaborative client-led approach to help students build skills and strategies that they can use in their daily lives to increase their success in pursuing their personal goals.

Karen Heft, B.S., Part-Time Office Manager
Karen Heft has worked with individuals from early childhood all the way through to seniors living out their golden years and enjoys meeting and interacting with people of all ages. She finds working with college students very enjoyable because they're making decisions and laying the foundations for their future through learning and exploration.

The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC) has a team of trained experts able to provide confidential support, resources, and services to students, faculty, and staff at BW. CRCC has several locations available to any member of the BW community who has experienced any form of sexual assault, harassment or abuse, or would like to learn more about how to help someone. Students have options whether they have experienced harm recently or prior to coming to campus.

Get Help Now

CRCC 24/7 support & crisis hotline call/text: (216) 619-6192
CRCC chat at: clevelandrapecrisis.org/chat
Call to Schedule an Appointment: (216) 619-6194 x141
Schedule an appointment online: clevelandrapecrisis.org/request-an-appointment