Counseling & Student Development Center

Open on Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
After-hours crisis services(on-call counselor) available by calling JMU Public Safety: (540) 568-6911.

Varner House
(540) 568-6552
www.jmu.edu/counselingctr

The CSDC is staffed by a group of experienced mental health professionals dedicated to the personal, social, and academic development of JMU’s students. A limited number of clinical services are also provided by trainees.

Services

• Services are free to all full-time students currently enrolled at JMU. Appointments can be made in person or over the phone.



• Counseling at the CSDC involves the concerns of normal students experiencing normal college problems. Common issues include relationship problems, self-esteem, depression, anxiety/stress, eating and body image concerns, and difficulty adjusting to college life.



• Individual counseling provides students with the opportunity to explore any personal problems or concerns that have a negative impact on the quality of their lives. The CSDC operates under a short-term treatment model under which the student and the counselor collaboratively identify and address the student’s primary concerns within a limited number of sessions. Students who request or require longer-term treatment are referred to community resources.



• The CSDC provides crisis, individual, and group counseling to students who are survivors of sexual assault. Advocacy and support services are also available to students who choose to pursue judicial charges through JMU or criminal charges through the court system.



• Each semester, students may participate in small group (6 – 8 students) experiences on issues related to their needs (e.g., depression, eating disorders, anxiety, grief, etc.). There is no limit to the number of group sessions available to a student.



• Screening, education, and referral are available to students whose primary issue involves the abuse of alcohol or other substances.



• The CSDC has a psychiatrist who prescribes medications that may be helpful to students dealing with psychological issues. Only students who are currently engaged in ongoing treatment at the CSDC are eligible to receive these services.The cost of any medication and/or necessary lab work is the financial responsibility of the student.  Students who are exclusively interested in psychiatric services are provided an off-campus referral.



• A 24/7 emergency counseling service is in place to help students experiencing a serious crisis. During regular office hours, students have an opportunity to meet with an emergency counselor at the Center.



• In person or over the phone, the CSDC provides consultation to students, faculty, staff and others who are concerned about the unusual, problematic or potentially harmful behavior of others. The CSDC attempts to protect the anonymity of individuals who request consultation. However, if there are significant concerns about the well-being of either the student or others, the CSDC may have a professional obligation to act on the information.



• Workshops on a wide variety of mental health topics may be requested by visiting the CSDC Web site.



• The Peer Mentor Program is designed to help first year and transfer multicultural and international students make a successful and rewarding transition from high school to the university. Students are provided with the opportunity to meet other multicultural and international students who have similar experiences and interests. The peer protégé connection provides an academic, cultural, and social support network for students seeking academic excellence and satisfaction.



• The Interpersonal Skills Certificate Program helps students develop the abilities and confidence necessary to effectively deal with a variety of social, emotional, and academic situations.



• An Anger Management Certificate Program gives students the opportunity to examine their personal responses to anger and to learn more productive ways to deal with this emotion.

Policies

Counseling is confidential, and the CSDC’s records are kept separate from academic records. Except as required by law, the CSDC does not disclose information to anyone without written consent of the client. Even the fact that a student is being seen at the CSDC is considered confidential.