Counseling Services

Mission Statement
The Counseling Center at Gwynedd-Mercy College is committed to providing a safe environment for students to discuss concerns which may impede academic progress and/or personal growth. The Counseling Center supports the development of the whole person and serves the GMC community by providing programs and workshops regarding mental health, wellness, and oeverall student success.

GENERAL INFORMATION

At the Counseling Center, we:

• Provide supportive counseling for students with personal concerns and/or adjustment issues
• Refer students to outside supports when necessary or requested
• Provide information concerning community resources relating to emotional wellness and mental health issues
• Provide a variety of psycho-educational programs for students, faculty and staff
• Offer consultation to faculty, administration, and staff regarding students' concerns

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. Who can use the services at the Counseling Center?
A. All enrolled students at Gwynedd-Mercy College are eligible to receive counseling services through the Counseling Center.

Q. What kinds of problems do students discuss with a counselor?
A. Any personal issue can be discussed in counseling. For example:

• Academic adjustment issues, grades
• Abuse, emotional/physical/sexual
• Anger, aggression
• Anxiety, fear
• Communication issues, assertiveness
• Depression, grief
• Difficulty with alcohol, other substances, food
• Personal crises
• Relationships: intimate, family, friends
• Sexual identity issues
• Stress
• Time management
• Traumatic experiences

Q. Is counseling confidential? Is it part of my academic record?
A. The Counseling Center records are confidential and separate from your academic records. It is only in the rare instance where an individual may present a threat to harm themselves or others, may counseling information be shared without the individual's permission and then, only to the extent necessary to protect the individual or other persons being threatened.

Q. How do I make an appointment to see a counselor?
A. To make an appointment, any counseling staff may be reached by phone, email, or by stopping by the Counseling Center (2nd Floor, The Griffin Complex, off Rotelle Lounge in the hallway towards Waldron). Requests for appointments are met as soon as possible. Please contact the counseling staff for an appointment or Director:

Jeanne McGowan, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.
215-641-5571
mcgowan.j@gmc.edu

Q. Where is the Counseling Center located?
A. Counseling Services can be found on the 2nd floor of the Griffin Complex, off of Rotelle lounge and in the hallway towards Waldron.

Q. How much does it cost to see a counselor?
A. Counseling Services at GMC is provided to students at no cost.

Q. How often can I see a counselor?
A. The frequency of appointments and length of time in counseling varies depending on the individual. While there is no limit to the number of times students can seek counseling, those who require more comprehensive support (i.e. more than a weekly session with a counselor) will be referred to off-campus resources as appropriate.

STAFF

Jeanne McGowan , M.S.W., L.C.S.W.
Director of Counseling Services
ext. 571 or 215-641-5571
mcgowan.j@gmc.edu

Dan Jordan, MC, LPC NCC CCDPD
Counselor/Disability Support Services Coordinator
215-646-7300, ext. 427
jordan.d@gmc.edu

Gwen Zarkowski, M.S.S., Q.C.S.W.    
Alcohol and Other Drug Education Counselor/R.A.I.S.E. Coordinator
215-646-7300 x395

zarkowski.g@gmc.edu

CONFIDENTIALITY

The Counseling Center records are confidential and kept separate from academic records. Only in the rare instance where an individual may present a threat to harm themselves or others may counseling information be shared without the individual's permission, and then only to the extent necessary to protect the individual or other persons being threatened.

EMERGENCIES

During business hours (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.):

Psychological emergencies (risk of harm to self or others) are seen immediately. Please contact the Counseling Staff at ext. 571 or ext. 427 and/or Security at ext. 111.

During off-hours (6 p.m. to 9 a.m.):

If a psychological emergency (risk of harm to self or others) occurs outside of the Counseling Center hours please contact Security at ext. 111 immediately. Security will notify Counseling Center Staff and/or Professional Staff in Resident Life as appropriate.

Links for Psychological Emergencies:

Abington Hospital
1200 Old York Road
Abington, PA 19001
215-481-2000 (press 1 for medical emergency or ask for crisis)
www.amh.org

Friends Hospital
4641 Roosevelt Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19124-2399
1-800-889-0548
www.friendshospitalonline.org

Montgomery County Emergency Services
50 Beech Drive
Norristown, PA 19403
610-279-6100

Victim Services Center of Montgomery County
18 W. Airy Street
Norristown, PA 19401
24 hr. Crisis Hotline: 610-277-5200
Other serious crime: 610-ASSIST-1
www.volunteersolutions.org/volunteer/agency/one_163726.html

Women's Center of Montgomery County
101 Washington Lane
Extension Manor WCI
Jenkintown, PA 19046
215-885-5020
www.wcmontco.org

REFERRAL TO THE COUNSELING CENTER

Model: Time-limited Brief Therapy and Psychoeducational Initiative
The time-limited brief therapy model of counseling at Gwynedd focuses on providing supportive services to assist students in their academic, professional and personal development. Students who have personal obstacles, which permeate their lives and require more comprehensive clinical support/long-term therapy, will be referred to off-campus resources as clinically appropriate.  Off campus resources may be utilized instead of, or in addition to, the counseling services provided on campus. The psychoeducational initiative within the counseling center focuses on the collaboration with multiple student services divisions to bring clinically educational programming to the campus community.

Referral: Guidelines for Students, Faculty, Staff and Administration
Counseling is most effective when it is a voluntary process and students benefit more from counseling if they themselves seek out support. For these reasons, the Counseling Center recommends that concerned parties speak to the students and:

1. Tell the student you are concerned about him/her and why
2. Explain the resources available at the Counseling Center
3. Recommend that the students contact us for an appointment
4. Offer to help the student make contact by walking them over to see a counselor and/or be present for support when the student makes the call for an appointment

Emergency Situations:
During business hours (9 a.m. to 6 p.m.):
Psychological emergencies (risk of harm to self or others) are seen immediately. Please contact the Counseling Staff at ext. 571 or ext. 427 and/or Security at ext. 111.

During off-hours (6 p.m. to 9 a.m.) :
If a psychological emergency (risk of harm to self or others) occurs outside of the Counseling Center hours please contact Security at ext. 111 immediately. Security will notify Counseling Center Staff and/or Professional Staff in Resident Life as appropriate.