Daniel W. Dengel, Ph.D.
Interim Director/Associate Director for Training, Tuttleman Counseling Services
The current environment underscores the importance of assessing, supporting, and advocating for the mental health needs of university students. At Temple, and across the nation, students are managing anxiety, grief, sadness, confusion, loneliness, and other difficulties in the midst of navigating a global health pandemic, financial hardships, social disconnection, and continued racial injustice and unrest. At Tuttleman Counseling Services (TCS), we are more committed than ever to providing accessible, high-quality care in a variety of formats.
We are pleased that as of March 2020, we were able to successfully transition all clinical services to a remote format. Now, nearly one year later, we remain virtual and continue to build and refine our services based on important feedback from both staff and students alike. In our recent review of service utilization since transitioning to telehealth, we have seen both an increase in our individual appointments and a decrease in our no-show rate.
A student interested in accessing services can register online during the operation of our Walk-in Clinic (Monday through Friday, 10am to 1:30pm). Once paperwork is complete, a clinician reaches out same-day to schedule an Initial Assessment interview. In the Initial Assessment, the clinician clarifies student concerns and determines what services are most appropriate. These diverse services may include the Resiliency Resource Center (RRC), drop-in support groups, skill-based therapy groups, interpersonal process groups, individual therapy, psychiatry, referral, and consultation. It is important to note that while out-of-state students are ineligible for ongoing care due to licensure restrictions, we will gladly assist in locating providers in their community. In addition, a staff member is always available to provide crisis intervention and consultation during regular business hours.
If you are looking to consult, please also keep in mind the Temple University CARE Team. The CARE Team is a multi-disciplinary body of stakeholders from across the University which receives referrals pertaining to students of concern, collects additional information, and then identifies and enacts appropriate strategies for addressing the situation. If you see physical, emotional, or academic signs that can threaten the safety or the wellbeing of the university community, the behavior is considered a CARE referral. If you are unsure whether a behavior should be referred, please contact the CARE Team to discuss the circumstances.
As we continue adjusting in these uncertain times, know that we will remain dedicated to caring for, supporting, and serving the Temple community through virtual services and resources.
Links:
Accessing services remotely during COVID-19: https://counseling.temple.edu/access-services
Resiliency Resource Center (RRC) online: https://counseling.temple.edu/resiliency-resource-center-online-during-covid-19
CARE Team: https://careteam.temple.edu/