University Counseling Center receives national accreditation

VSU Counseling Center pictured front row (L-R) Marcie Wiseman, Rebecca Smith, Katherine Freeman, and Leah McMillan. Back row (L-R) Patricia Raynor, Ryan Couillou, Brenda Johnson and Gwendolyn  Williams

VALDOSTA--After completing a rigorous assessment and accreditation process, Valdosta State University’s Counseling Center has received re-accreditation by the International Association of Counseling Services, Inc. (IACS). 

According to IACS, the VSU Counseling Center was evaluated “against the highest standards of counseling practice and was found to offer competent and reliable professional services to its clientele.” 

IACS develops standards of practice through its Board of Accreditation, the members of which are directors of counseling services throughout the United States and internationally.  

“The re-accreditation proves that VSU’s Counseling Center exemplifies great professionalism, exemplary counseling services, and meets the highest standards established in the field,” said Dr. Leah McMillan, interim director of VSU’s Counseling Center. “The on-site IACS reviewer was complimentary of all the functions of the Counseling Center. He was especially complimentary of the range and quality of services offered by the center.”  

The re-accreditation process involved a review of how the Counseling Center supported the mission of the university, along with a detailed review of how the center provides its core services, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention and emergency services, outreach, consultation, research, program evaluation, and professional development and training.  

The VSU Counseling Center staff consists of six full-time counselors, a part-time consulting psychiatrist, three part-time clinical practicum students, and two administrative staff members.  

According to McMillan the Counseling Center provides a broad range of mental health services to the university community with the goal of maximizing the personal growth and development of its members. These serves are primarily offered to students and include a wide variety of preventive, remedial, educational, and crisis management activities.  

VSU’s Counseling Center, one of five counseling centers accredited by IACS within the University System of Georgia, was first accredited by the IACS in 2000.

Valdosta State University’s 2013-2019 Strategic Plan represents a renewal of energy and commitment to the foundational principles for comprehensive institutions.

Implementation of the plan’s five goals, along with their accompanying objectives and strategies, supports VSU’s institutional mission and the University System of Georgia’s mission for comprehensive universities.

The story above demonstrates VSU's commitment to meeting the following goals:

Goal 1: Recruit, retain, and graduate a quality, diverse student population and prepare students for roles as leaders in a global society.

Goal 3: Promote student, employee, alumni, retiree, and community engagement in our mission.

Goal 4: Foster an environment of creativity and scholarship.

Goal 5: Develop and enhance Valdosta State’s human and physical resources.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/planning/strategic-plan.php to learn more.