Syracuse University Counseling Center re-accredited by International Association of Counseling Services

Syracuse University Counseling Center re-accredited by International Association of Counseling ServicesOctober 18, 2002Michele M. Jachimmmjachim@syr.edu

Citing strengths that include a dedicated professional staff with strong leadership, the International Association of Counseling Services (IACS) has awarded the Syracuse University Counseling Center a certificate of re-accreditation. The re-accreditation signifies that the center meets nationally recognized standards for mental health care.

“We are exceptionally pleased to achieve this accreditation again,” says Rebecca Dayton, director of the Counseling Center. “This award validates the quality of our center and recognizes our staff as top-notch. Our students are the true beneficiaries of this good news.”

A principal unit within the Division of Student Affairs, the Counseling Center offers comprehensive mental health services to all SU students, serving about 1,000 clients in a year. The Counseling Center’s professional staff includes 11 trained therapists, four of whom were hired in 2002. Specific services include individual short-term counseling, 24-hour on-call mental health emergency coverage, group counseling sessions, consultation to faculty, staff and parents, and referrals to other community and University mental health services.

“The re-accreditation of our Counseling Center was a top priority,” says Barry L. Wells, senior vice president and dean of student affairs. “We will continue to look at our programming and processes to ensure we are offering students the mental health services they need, because their well-being is very important to us.”

As part of the re-accreditation process, IACS conducted an extensive survey of the Counseling Center’s facilities and services; a team comprised of IACS representatives evaluated all aspects of client care. Edward Hattauer, chair of the IACS University and College Board of Accreditation, praised the center’s professional staff and recent organizational changes that improved the center’s reporting structure in his letter of accreditation.