Coronavirus Service Update
March 27, 2020
We are now able to offer teletherapy thanks to an emergency order from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Intake sessions for new clients will be conducted remotely. New clients should set up a screening appointment. Just call or email counseling@drew.edu to set up an appointment. We will call you initially so make sure you can be in a private place when your session is scheduled.
We are now running several of our therapy groups remotely using Zoom through the end of the semester.
Individual therapy will continue. All clients will now receive remote therapy. Most therapists will continue to have your therapy sessions with you at the time you normally had therapy scheduled.
Updates to these policies will be posted here if they change. Read more about Drew’s coronavirus information here.
Dealing with Coronavirus Stressors
Follow #DrewWithU and stay connected to the campus!
Active Minds has some online resources for university students. https://www.activeminds.org/about-mental-health/be-there/coronavirus/?sm_guid=MzI5MjMwfDIyNzY2Njc0fC0xfGptYW5kYWxhQGRyZXcuZWR1fDI2MTcyNjB8fDB8MHw2OTAxNTczNnw5NTF8MHwwfHwyOTUwMTk1
The American Psychological Association features Baruch Fischhoff, Ph.D. with an audio podcast on coronavirus anxiety. Find it at https://www.apa.org/research/action/speaking-of-psychology/coronavirus-anxiety It’s worth a listen to. You can also come in to speak with a counselor, just call and set up an appointment.
Scientific American posted an article on how to preserve your mental health while avoiding physical proximity: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-prevent-loneliness-in-a-time-of-social-distancing/
Of course, mindfulness practice can be very helpful: https://www.mindful.org/how-mindfulness-can-help-you-navigate-the-coronavirus-panic/
There are some free resources from Calm.com: https://www.calm.com/blog/take-a-deep-breath
How to Use Our Services During the Coronavirus Emergency
In order to slow the spread of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) Counseling and Psychological Services will be offering remote therapy. In addition to phone sessions, remote therapy sessions will be offered over Doxy.me, or through Zoom. If you do not have good internet access, we now have permission for the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct telephone sessions.
Current Clients Located On or Off Campus
After March 16th through the summer, Drew Counseling and Psychological Services will attempt to maintain continuity with your counseling sessions. Your therapist will provide remote therapy sessions at your regularly scheduled time. You will need access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone in order to use the communication software that is fully protected. You should also arrange to be in a quiet, private space where you are comfortable talking with your therapist for that time.
How To Access Remote Therapy from Drew Counseling
Doxy.me is a telemedicine video conferencing website that was created for doctors and therapists to privately and confidentially video chat with their patients. It is compliant with both HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and the HITECH Act (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act).
Note: Doxy.me or Zoom cannot be used for emergencies or to contact the therapist between scheduled sessions. It will not be monitored except during your appointment time. Use our phone number 973-408-3398 to contact us during business hours (9-12 and 1-5 weekdays). Other times, if on campus, call Public Safety 973-408-4444 or, if off-campus, call 911.
How to Use Doxy.me for Remote Therapy
In order to start therapy:
- Your therapist will send you a link in an email before your session.
- Clicking on this link at the beginning of your scheduled session time will take you directly to your therapist’s private, confidential Doxy.me account.
- You will be prompted by Doxy.me to type in your name so your therapist can see that you have checked into their “waiting room.”
- After you have done this, your therapist can begin the session.
In Case of Technology Failure
If your scheduled appointment is prevented or disrupted due to technical complications, please email your therapist at their Drew account.
What if I don't have internet access?
Although not ideal, we can make other arrangements for remote therapy via telephone. Remember many cell phone companies are increasing their services without charging during the crisis. (pcworld.com/article/3532817/which-internet-providers-are-lifting-data-caps-during-the-coronavirus-and-which-arent.html)
New Clients
You can call and set up an on-line intake meeting with a therapist here. If you are not feeling safe, call 911 (in the US) or go to your hospital emergency room.
We will still have crisis times available every day. It is usually at 2 pm, but call to clarify since we can be flexible.
Our phone is 973-408-3398.
Psychological Emergencies
How to Use Our Services When Coronavirus Emergency is Over
During the regular school year, you can make an appointment to see a Counselor by calling or by visiting the McClintock Center for Counseling and Psychological Services. We are located on Drew University’s campus in Holloway Annex (in the same building as Health Services, see picture above) right up the hill from the University Commons. We are the door immediately to the left as you enter the building. You may walk in or call 973-408-3398.
After you call you will be scheduled for an appointment, it can usually be scheduled within a few days (in an emergency a counselor will see you right away). After the introductory interview, a treatment plan will be developed in consultation with the Counseling and Psychological Services treatment team. The treatment plan may be:
- Group counseling, All requests for services are first considered for potential group membership. For a variety of problems, group treatment is more effective than individual therapy and it is especially effective for college-age people. Unlike individual therapy, group therapy is not time-limited.
- Referral to one of our Therapeutic Workshops or Seminars, These are open to any Drew student, run on an open basis
- Short-term individual counseling. Most of our students are seen for brief therapy (1-12 sessions). If you are to be seen for individual therapy, the team will assign you to a therapist.
- Referrals out for more intensive or specialized treatment. There are many local therapists and treatment centers that provide long term or specialized treatment, many of whom are within walking distance to the campus.
General E-mail: counseling@drew.edu*
*Email is not a confidential form of communication. Please do NOT send emergency messages to this account, as we are not able to respond immediately.
There are no fees charged for counseling services
Our Department
Counseling and Psychological Services is a division of Campus Life and Student Affairs. The division exists to help students function more effectively in the Drew University Community. Our mission is to help students define their personal and academic goals. Information and counseling are provided to help students to deal with their individual concerns by helping them to understand themselves better and explore alternatives, reach decisions, or feel better about coping with problems.
We offer a broad range of group programs and short-term individual counseling for undergraduate and graduate students. Our purpose is to assist students in their personal, social, and academic development, and the achievement of life goals. Services are provided free to all interested Drew students. Sometimes referrals are made to other, more appropriate, resources either within the university community or outside the university.
Alumni/ae may consult a counselor for a brief consultation and/or referral. We will also meet with staff and faculty to help them find referrals for outside clinicians. Referrals can be made for longer-term counseling. We are located on the South end of Drew University’s campus in Holloway Annex 21 in the same building as the Health Center just up the hill from the University Commons or the Forum.
