The university maintains a counseling office to provide help to students who feel in need of someone to talk to about issues related to school, relationships, or family difficulties. Most students find it helpful to have a safe place to speak freely about their issues. If there are specific conflicts that you face or if the same problems keep occurring, counseling can help you learn better ways of handling your situation. Coping better and understanding yourself can help you be confident and self-assured.
What services are offered?
Counseling:
The office is open five days a week. It is available to full-time students without charge. Consultation is completely confidential, and short-term individual counseling is available by appointment. Call us at (845) 848-4036/4037 and set up a meeting with one of our counselors at our office in Rosary Hall. Typically, an appointment can be arranged within a day or two, but in case of emergencies, call Campus Security at (914) 403-7531 or dial 911.
In order to meet the needs of the many students who utilize our service, the number of visits is time limited. If your problems warrant long term treatment, a referral will be made to an outside provider.
Support Groups:
Student support groups and discussions led by clinicians are available on a variety of topics, such as eating disorders, bereavement, social shyness, and procrastination.
Outreach and Consultation:
We are available for students, parents, faculty, and staff who would like recommendations on handling a difficult situation with a friend or student. We also provide workshops and training for the university community.
Questions about Counseling
What kinds of issues are appropriate to discuss in counseling?
- Problems with family, friends or romantic partners
- Difficulties arising from ethnic, cultural and racial differences
- Problems concerning misuse of alcohol and other drugs
- Sexual issues, including gay, lesbian, and bisexual issues
- Problems with body image and eating disorders
- Handling stress and/or social pressures
- Feelings such as anxiety, depression, loneliness, shyness, fear or anger, low self esteem/lack of confidence
- Response to tragedy
What exactly is counseling?
- Counseling is a service offered by the university to help you clarify issues of a personal nature; to help you solve your own problems.
- Counselors don’t give advice, but serve as skilled listeners. Their presence helps people clarify their issues. Counselors work with you; they don’t ‘change’ you or ‘do something’ to you.
- A schedule can be set up for a series of visits or just one visit that may get you started on making the changes you desire in your life.
- Very often, talking with others who may have experienced a similar problem is helpful. For that purpose, the Counseling Department will direct you to one of several small groups of students who meet regularly to discuss issues such as social problems, school-related issues, alcohol and substance abuse, and other more severe issues such as depression, eating disorders, and even thoughts of self-injury.
Confidentiality: Where are my counseling records kept?
Counseling records are kept separate from academic and medical records. If a student is seen by the nurse for the flu, for instance, no information about counseling is available to him/her.
Counseling records are confidential. No information is given out to anyone (i.e., family, friends, faculty) without the student’s written permission. We cannot confirm or deny knowing a student without the student’s permission. The only time confidentiality can be violated is on the rare occasion when the student or someone else is in imminent life-threatening danger.
Alcohol and Other Drugs, Self-Harm, Eating Disorders and Depression
Abuse of alcohol or other drugs is generally a sign that something about a person’s life is causing them great pain, and opting out is the only acceptable way of dealing with it.
Self-harm is also a way of coping with pain and unsolved issues. Counseling offers help with these problems and will work with you to resolve these problems.
Similarly, overeating or excessive dieting often reflects the need to bury one’s problems. “I’m overweight,” “I’m unattractive,” “I can’t stand the way I look.” All of these can and should be dealt with in counseling. The school offers short-term therapy to students, and will refer to outside providers where necessary.
If you notice someone in your dorm who has withdrawn from social contact, stays in his/her room much of the time, or does not seem to care about school, friends, family or life in general, speak with your RA and/or contact the counseling office. If the person is in immediate danger of hurting him/herself, don’t leave them and have someone contact campus security and 911.
Sexual Assault, Dating or Domestic Violence
The health, safety and well-being of our students are Dominican University’s primary concern. If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual assault, dating, or domestic violence, the following resources are available at Dominican University and in the Rockland County community to assist in both immediate and long-term recovery.
On Campus Resources:
- Student Health Center: (845) 848-7918
Lynda Chesterman, MA, ANP-C, Director - Counseling Center: (845) 848-4036
Alise Cohen, LCSW, BCD, Director - Prevention & Education Coordinator: (845) 848-4030
Eileen Piccininni, MA, LPC, CASAC, CEAP
Public Safety and Security
- John Lennon – James Corrigan: (845) 848-4061
Off-Campus Resources
The Center for Safety and Change: (845) 634-3344
Offers a 24 hour hotline and free comprehensive victim assistance
Welcome to ULifeline!
ULifeline is a comprehensive, confidential, online resource center where you can feel comfortable searching for the information you need and want regarding mental and emotional health. Take a look around and explore what ULifeline has to offer http://www.ulifeline.org/
On-Line Resources
Office Hours
Monday - Friday:9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location:
Rosary Hall
To arrange an appointment
Call the Office of Student Development: (845) 848-4080
Call Counseling Services directly: (845) 848-4036/4037
In cases of emergency call Campus Security at (914) 403-7531 or dial 911.