Counseling Center

College can be exciting and challenging. Being away from home, being exposed to new ideas, and meeting new people are all part of the college experience. Also, part of the college experience may be stress, depression, anxiety, and difficulties coping with academic and financial pressures. Personal problems such as conflicts with family, friends, and professors can add to the stress of college. The Counseling Center is available to all GCU students to offer assistance and support in dealing with these challenges. Counseling Services are accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services, Inc.

Services

Accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services, Inc., the Counseling Center assists student by providing individually tailored counseling services and programs to address:

• Mental health issues that may adversely impinge on academic performance
• Personal development related to family concerns
• Self esteem
• Eating disorders
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Peer and relational difficulties
• Stress management
• Procrastination
• Suicidal Ideas

What is Counseling?

Counseling is not easily described in general statements. It varies depending on the personalities of the counselor and client, and the particular problems you are experiencing. There are many different methods your counselor may use to deal with the problems that you hope to address. Counseling is not like a medical doctor visit. Instead, it calls for a very active effort on your part. In order for the counseling to be most successful, you will have to work on things discussed both during your sessions and at home.

Counseling can have benefits and risks. Since counseling often involves discussing unpleasant aspects of your life, you may experience uncomfortable feelings like sadness, guilt, anger, frustration, loneliness, and helplessness. On the other hand, counseling has also been shown to have many benefits. Counseling often leads to better relationships, solutions to specific problems, and significant reductions in feelings of distress. But there are no guarantees of what you will experience.

Your first few sessions will involve an evaluation of your needs. By the end of the evaluation, your counselor will be able to offer you some first impressions of what your work together will include and a tentative treatment plan to follow, if you decide to continue with counseling. You should evaluate this information along with your own opinions of whether you feel comfortable working with your counselor. Counseling involves a large commitment of time and energy, so you should be very careful about the counselor you select. If you have questions about your counselor’s procedures, you should discuss them whenever they arise. If your doubts persist, your counselor will be happy to help you set up a meeting with another mental health professional for a second opinion.

Hours, Location and Contact Info

Monday and Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday through Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Emergencies will be seen immediately. The Counseling Center is located in the Casino building, on the second floor, at the opposite end of the hall from Health Services.

An appointment to see a counselor at the Lakewood campus can be made be either calling 732.987.2680 or by stopping in at the center. We request that students coming to the center for the first appointment arrive 15 minutes early to ensure that accurate and helpful information is obtained to speed the initial intake process.

After hours, please contact PESS, if this is an emergency: 732.886.4474 or go to Kinball Medical Center at: 600 River Road in Lakewood. If you are experiencing domestic violence issues, you can call Providence House at 732-244-8259. Counseling Services are accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services, Inc.

Please use these Cumberland County and Woodbridge PDFs for a list of service providers at our other campuses and feel free to download the Counseling Center Agreement PDF and the New Jersey Notice Form PDF for your review prior to your appointment.

If you or a friend are struggling with mental health issues, ULifeLine can help.

Robin Solbach, Psy.D., Director, 732.987.2680, solbach@georgian.edu
Robin Solbach, Psy.D., has been the Director of the Counseling Center at Georgian Court University since 1998. A New Jersey licensed psychologist, she has extensive experience working with adolescents and adult issues. In addition to her responsibilities as director, Dr. Solbach is an adjunct instructor in the Psychology Department at Georgian Court. Dr. Solbach is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Secretary for NJ Association of Counseling Centers.

Wendy Turton, M.A., Substance Awareness Counselor, 732.987.2627, turtonw@georgian.edu
Wendy Turton, MA, is a recent addition to the center specializing in substance abuse counseling. She has twenty-five years experience counseling and working within the European community, as a mental health clinician.  She is a member of the American Counseling Association, the New Jersey Association of College Counselors and the Association of Specialist in Group Work.

John Viterito, LPC, Counselor, 732.987.2625, viterito@georgian.edu
John Viterito, LPC, is a New Jersey Licensed Professional Counselor with a Clinical Mental Health Counselor specialty designation. Mr. Viterito has been working in the area of college student counseling since 1987 and has extensive post-graduate training and expertise in cognitive-behavior therapy. He is a member of the American Counseling Association and is a Fellow of the American Institute of Stress.

Confidentiality

All records of the Georgian Court Counseling Center are confidential. When someone comes to the center the information gathered does not become part of a permanent University record or personnel file; it does not appear on any transcript or official document of any type. No one in the University or any other individual will be given information about a student without that person's written consent.