橘子视频鈥檚 Counseling Center has earned a full 10-year re-accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA) for its doctoral internship in health service psychology. The re-accreditation follows a rigorous, multi-year review process that included comprehensive self-study, program evaluation and an on-site assessment by APA-appointed reviewers.聽

Mark Taracuk, Ph.D., training director for the Counseling Center, said this achievement underscores the program鈥檚 exceptional training quality and its impact on preparing future psychologists for careers in collegiate mental health. He said receiving the maximum 10-year accreditation term reflects the strength, stability and national recognition of the program.

鈥淥ur re-accreditation is vital to the continued success of the internship and enables us to keep contributing to the field of psychology by training psychologists with the specialized skills, knowledge and experience needed to succeed in collegiate mental health,鈥� said Taracuk. 鈥淭he University鈥檚 strong support throughout this process has been essential and reflects its broader commitment to holistic student development, including mental health, by investing in the training of competent providers in the specialty of collegiate mental health.鈥�

One of only 10 APA-accredited doctoral internships in the state of Georgia and among more than 700 sites nationwide, the program has grown significantly since it was established in 2010. After earning initial accreditation in 2017 with two interns per year, the program now accepts four doctoral interns annually through the National Match Service. To date, 42 interns have completed the program.

Liz Deibel, a Counseling Center intern from Roosevelt University’s Clinical Psychology program, said the variety in cases and responsibilities has been constructive to her career ambitions.

鈥淕eorgia Southern has been a great site for my internship,鈥� said Deibel. 鈥淓veryone at the Counseling Center is very supportive and has helped me in growing my professional independence and getting specialized training prior to graduation. I’ve been able to facilitate group therapy, provide relationship counseling and get more experience with rural populations.鈥�

At Georgia Southern, interns are immersed in a learner-centered, year-long training model that blends instruction with hands-on clinical practice in a collegiate setting. This approach prepares interns to understand and treat the unique mental health needs of college students while working within a multidisciplinary campus environment.

Throughout the year, interns develop proficiency in nine profession-wide competencies required by the APA: research, ethical and legal standards, individual and cultural diversity, professional values and attitudes, communication and interpersonal skills, assessment, intervention, supervision, consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills. Along with supervision from licensed psychologists, interns refine skills in therapy, psychological assessment, crisis intervention, outreach and consultation.

鈥淕raduate students typically complete several practicum experiences, but the doctoral internship is the most essential hands-on training they receive,鈥� said Taracuk. 鈥淥ur program gives interns supportive, comprehensive and formative experiences that help them integrate theory, research, and professional standards into their practice.鈥�

橘子视频 and Coastal Harbor Behavioral Health have teamed up to ensure students who need more comprehensive mental health care can access resources beyond campus. 

Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the 橘子视频 Counseling Center and Coastal Harbor will collaborate to establish a framework for communication, referral procedures and ongoing coordination to support students and their care needs.

鈥淭his partnership is particularly beneficial for students because it expands access to care beyond what the Counseling Center alone can provide,鈥� said Ty White, case manager for the Georgia Southern Counseling Center. 鈥淐oastal Harbor offers specialized and extended mental health services, which can be especially helpful for students needing longer-term or more intensive support. Additionally, collaboration between the Counseling Center and Coastal Harbor allows for smoother referrals, shared care coordination and improved overall support for student mental health and well-being.鈥�

Under the MOU, the Counseling Center may refer students to Coastal Harbor for services such as inpatient treatment, crisis stabilization, psychiatric evaluation and other intensive behavioral health interventions when clinically indicated. Coastal Harbor agrees to provide timely assessment, communicate admission decisions and coordinate with the Counseling Center regarding continuity of care, discharge planning and follow-up recommendations.

鈥淏oth Coastal Harbor Behavioral Health and Georgia Southern鈥檚 Counseling Center are dedicated to breaking the stigma associated with mental health intervention and self-care,鈥� said Sneha Patel, CEO of Coastal Harbor Health System. 鈥淭he established MOU outlines best practices for both institutions once a student is referred to and/or elected to receive inpatient therapeutic care at Coastal Behavioral Health. The intention is to serve as a therapeutic blueprint upon discharge.鈥�

This partnership also ensures a continuity of care should a student return to campus with additional needs, as it connects the on-campus and off-campus systems to reduce gaps in care.

The 橘子视频 Counseling Center provides comprehensive mental health support to enrolled students through free, confidential counseling services and wellness programs. Services are designed to empower students to manage personal challenges, promote emotional resilience and support academic success. Counseling services are available at no additional cost to all enrolled Georgia Southern students aged 18 and older. 

As a result of Georgia Southern鈥檚 commitment to increasing student awareness and access to mental health resources, the University has recently been named a full (JED) Member university. Georgia Southern recently completed a four-year partnership with JED, a national collegiate mental health program that guides colleges through a collaborative process of building comprehensive systems, programs and policy development with customized support to build upon existing student mental health, substance use and suicide prevention efforts.

Along with the JED efforts, Georgia Southern has significantly increased student awareness and access to mental health resources. A recent report shows that 83% of 橘子视频 students agree that the administration is listening to the concerns of students around health and wellness. This is a 15% increase since 2020.

In 2020, the University System of Georgia and resources to increase the mental health awareness and resources for all of its institutions.

One of these initiatives was to fund the enrollment of all institutions in the JED Campus program. This included the creation of a JED campus team, an initial campus mental health climate study conducted by the Healthy Minds Institute on behalf of JED, the completion of a Georgia Southern self-study, a campus site visit by JED and the development and completion of a four-year strategic plan.

“Engaging in the four-year JED Campus process has enabled Georgia Southern to strengthen and expand its university-wide commitment to the mental health of our students, faculty and staff,鈥� said Jodi K. Caldwell, Ph.D., executive director & JED Campus team lead. 鈥淭he JED team remains committed to growing Georgia Southern’s efforts in providing awareness, education, resources and support for the well-being of our community. We are grateful to the University System of Georgia, whose support funded this opportunity for all USG institutions and to the support of our Georgia Southern administration.”

Recently, the University has increased awareness and resources through programs like the . Students aware of mental health outreach efforts grew from 40% to 60%, and those knowing where to seek professional help increased from 78% to 84%, according to the JED feedback report. Additional findings can be found in the full report at the bottom of this article.

Georgia Southern will now be considered an alumni of the program, and will continue several of the programs and initiatives launched with JED.

As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, two members of the Georgia Southern community, Angela Landers and Ty White, are sharing their stories and the essential lessons they’ve learned from their breast cancer diagnosis. Their journeys, while unique, highlight the importance of early detection, support systems and resilience in the face of adversity.

Georgia Southern鈥檚 Student Athletic Advisory Committee, Student Government Association and Zeta Tau Alpha sorority will host a on Oct. 21 at 8 a.m. By participating, individuals will walk a path around Sweetheart Circle and the athletic facilities to both raise awareness and funds for The Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer.聽

“I immediately knew that it was not supposed to be there,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he first person that I saw actually really brushed me off and said that it was probably nothing and I just needed to not worry about it. I asked to speak to another doctor… my oncologist told me I would have been dead within a year if I had not advocated for myself.”

She quickly began treatment, and has been in remission for 10 years now.

White, who is a case manager for the Counseling Center, also shares a story that illustrates the significance of early detection. A routine mammogram, prompted by an email from her health care provider, led to the discovery of early-stage cancer. Her quick response to the recommendations made a substantial difference in her treatment.

鈥淚 don’t really hide stuff from my kids,鈥� White said. 鈥淢y two-year-old would say, ‘Mommy has a boo-boo.’ I like to talk to them.鈥�

The two also offered advice for those who know and love someone experiencing a cancer diagnosis. One of the biggest takeaways was being emotionally interested in what they鈥檙e experiencing.

鈥淵ou may not even have the words to say, but go with her to doctor’s appointments, ask questions and be interested,鈥� White said. 鈥淛ust show up.鈥�

橘子视频 licensed professional counselor Nikita Robinson and staff psychologist Mark Taracuk, Ph.D., took top spots at the 2021 Georgia College Counseling Association (GCCA) awards in January. Robinson was named the Sylvia Shortt Counselor of the Year while Taracuk won awards for Clinical Program of the Year and Outstanding Professional Contribution to Knowledge.

Georgia Southern Counseling Center Executive Director Jodi Caldwell, Ph.D., said Robinson is one of the most recognizable staff members at the Counseling Center, working within numerous areas of the University.

鈥淣ikita is always willing to help even if it means sitting outside at a table offering resources to students,鈥� Caldwell said. 鈥淪he deserves this award for her dedication, hard work and collaborations. Nikita truly personifies the diversity of skills, experiences and roles that come with being a counselor.鈥�

The award reminds Robinson of the importance of her mental health work.

鈥淲inning this award alleviates my fear that the efforts we put forward are not recognized,鈥� she said. 鈥淲inning this award is a testament to the work the Counseling Center as a whole contributes daily to our community as we step into a variety of roles to meet community needs. It is a pleasure to receive this award and further my commitment to personal and professional goals as a mental health counselor.鈥�

Taracuk鈥檚 work on increasing college students鈥� positive attitudes toward transgender and gender diverse individuals, along with increasing participants鈥� willingness to engage in social action on behalf of marginalized individuals, led to his recognition. His research included having participants watch a specific episode of 鈥淪tar Trek鈥� that relates to gender diversity in the plot without explicitly discussing transgender and gender diverse rights.

Taracuk won the Clinical Program of the Year award for 鈥淐reating Champions,鈥� a three-hour interactive program for male-identified individuals designed to confront harmful gender norms through intentional evaluation and increasing mindful masculinity. The workshop helps individuals deepen their understanding of harmful masculine norms in society, gain new perspectives, and provide tips, tools and inspiration to empower everyone to make a difference.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an incredible privilege to win both of these awards,鈥� Taracuk said. 鈥淲hile the awards honor two very different projects, both are strongly rooted in the values of social justice, inclusiveness and the push to create physical and psychological safety for all people. I am incredibly proud of both of these projects and am so thankful for my fantastic colleagues and collaborative partners who seek to make a difference every day.鈥�

Taracuk said these awards serve as a symbol for the hard work of the entire Counseling Center staff.

鈥淧art of our multifaceted mission is to find unique, innovative ways to engage, support and impact the mental health and well-being of Georgia Southern,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e firmly believe this will happen through programs, projects and opportunities that maintain a global perspective and sense of community are both essential conditions of life.鈥�

GCCA is a professional membership organization composed of professional practitioners employed in the counseling facilities of Georgia鈥檚 public and private institutions, colleges and universities, and is a state branch of the American College Counseling Association. For more information about the Counseling Center, visit .