Counseling Center Earns National IACS Accreditation
JONESBORO – The Arkansas State University Counseling Center has been accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services, Inc. (IACS), an organization of U.S., Canadian and Australian counseling agencies based in Alexandria, Virginia.
IACS evaluated the Counseling Center against high standards of counseling practice and was found to offer competent and reliable professional services to its clientele. Approval by IACS is also dependent upon evidence of continuing professional development as well as demonstration of excellence of counseling performance.
Directed by Dr. Philip Hestand, the Counseling Center offers individual and group psychotherapy, academic and career counseling, and community outreach. The staff is committed to helping A-State students perform better academically, to cope with their emotions, or to be more effective in relationships with others.
"The university environment can be exciting and challenging. It also can be highly stressful since students may face academic pressures as well as demands from family, friends, and loved ones at the same time," according to Hestand. "While we work with students who may be experiencing a crisis, our goal is to help them deal with their concerns before they develop into more serious problems."
All full-time staff members are licensed mental health practitioners. Services are performed by those whose skills and training are appropriate to the task.
The Counseling Center is a department within the division of Student Affairs.
"We applaud the staff at Counseling Center for their efforts toward achieving internationally recognized accreditation,” commented Dr. Rick Stripling, vice chancellor for Student Affairs. Special thanks goes to Dr. Philip Hestand, who has led the charge for the past year. Accrediting agencies and standards are specific to academic disciplines and professional fields, and to the university as a whole. Whether or not a university has an accredited counseling center is very often a consideration in accreditation review of colleges and departments throughout campus."
In addition to the center, the Counseling Center staff also provides services to the entire A-State community. Center staff members provide lectures and workshops at sites across campus, in the residence halls, and to student organizations. Counselors are also available for consultation to academic departments and other University offices and frequently teach courses offered through the College of Education and University College.
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