Counseling Services in R.I.
Meet JWU’s Counseling Services Team
- Stephanie Dixon, MSW, LICSW, Director of Counseling Services
- Jean Russell, LICSW, Clinical Counselor/Training Coordinator
- Joseph Valder, LMHC, Clinical Counselor
- John Cipolla, LMHC, LCDP, Clinical Case Manager/Student Outreach Liaison
- Kimberly Bouchard, Administrative Assistant
Frequently Asked Questions
No. All counseling services are provided at no additional cost to enrolled JWU students.
Yes, all our Counseling Services counselors are fully licensed, trained clinical professionals. We all hold advanced degrees in clinical fields and have obtained the necessary credentials to provide mental health therapy and counseling services as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
Anything and everything; it’s a confidential safe space. Some common topics are anxiety, stress, depression, loneliness, homesickness, relationship issues, grief/loss, family problems, eating or sleeping concerns, academic difficulties, trauma processing and substance use/abuse.
Individual therapy sessions are usually 50 minutes to an hour, usually every other week, in a short-term treatment model that focuses on specific goals and has a limit of six individual counseling sessions per semester. Most students attend for 3-5 sessions.
Call us at 401-598-1016.
If you are over 18, you’re legally an adult, and we cannot share information about your session attendance, issues or treatment recommendations with anyone without your written consent.
Yes! We provide referrals to off-campus resources for long-term individual therapy, group therapy, psychiatry/medication management, psychological testing, and more intensive treatment options as needed.
JWU Health Services can refill most commonly prescribed medications. Please call 401-598-1151 to schedule an appointment. Alternately, we can help you find a community provider to assist you with your medical needs.
If you have a question or concern about a mental health issue for yourself or someone you know, our professional counseling staff is available to discuss the matter and advise you on next steps.
Educational Programming
Students, as well as faculty and staff, are welcome to request training from Counseling Services on mental health topics. Our primary program is a suicide prevention program called Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR).
To request training or learn more, contact us at 401-598-1016.
Confidentiality & Important Information
Counseling Services observes a policy of confidentiality that conforms to federal and state law.
Counseling Services does not provide long-term care, court-ordered treatment or counseling that is involved in litigation. Counseling cannot be mandated or required for students; however, in life-threatening situations, authorities at JWU may require a safety assessment for a student.