DUNMORE, Pa. – As Penn State Scranton students return to classes for the spring semester, Campus Counselor Katherine J. Stefanelli is continuing her proactive approach to the campus’ collective well-being.
Throughout the semester, Stefanelli will offer a full slate of virtual programs, support groups and wellness events in addition to the individual counseling sessions she provides to students via telehealth.
Stefanelli is proud that her office has been able to adjust to the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic and provide the same level of services remotely as it had on campus.
“We have maintained a robust counseling service throughout the fall of 2020 and virtual therapy has been received very well. My office continues to see an increase in the need for counseling service, and because of the implementation of the remote technology, it is easier than ever for students to make an appointment, keep an appointment and track one's progress in treatment,” Stefanelli said. “Besides our confidential one-on-one counseling, our services include programming events aimed at reducing stress and anxiety, and helping students build resiliency in unsettling times. It’s worth noting that many of the coping skills and mindfulness techniques I teach in my programs can be put in one's mental toolbox, so to speak, for use in future situations of stress well beyond this pandemic.”
As always, Stefanelli’s programming schedule is an eclectic affair. Events include:
Jan. 28, noon: Chronic Stress Management Information Presentation; registration link: https://psuscranton.campuslabs.com/engage/event/6640208
Feb. 10, noon: Mindfulness -- What's the Buzz?; registration link: https://psuscranton.campuslabs.com/engage/event/6640209
March 10, noon: Complementary and Alternative Medicine – Aromatherapy 101; registration link: https://psuscranton.campuslabs.com/engage/event/6640210
April 28, noon: Virtual Pet Therapy -- A Meet and Greet with Our Fabulous Fur or Winged Companions; registration link: https://psuscranton.campuslabs.com/engage/event/6640211
April 29, Noon: Meditation for Stress Relief; registration link: https://psuscranton.campuslabs.com/engage/event/6640207
In addition, Katie McNulty will continue her Yoga for the Mind, Body and Soul wellness class every Friday at Noon throughout the semester. To register for any of the sessions, visit: https://psuscranton.campuslabs.com/engage/events.
“That’s become a very popular class which has gained quite a little following of students and staff alike,” Stefanelli said.
All of the above events will take place at noon on Zoom. Registration info and links can be found at https://psuscranton.campuslabs.com/engage/events.
Stefanelli also will offer students informational sessions pertaining to the following national awareness and screening days:
Feb. 23 to March 1: National Eating Disorders Week and Screening Info
April 7: National Alcohol Awareness Month and Screening Info
May 5: National Anxiety Disorders Week and Screening Info
At those sessions, students will receive information on online screening options and referral information for both campus counseling services and local resources available to them, Stefanelli said.
Meanwhile, Stefanelli noted that the remote working environment has allowed for enhanced collaborative efforts among the Counseling and Psychological Services staff at all of the Penn State campuses. Every week, she and her colleagues meet on Zoom to discuss everything from clinical and technical issues to program sharing opportunities.
“I am truly proud that as a collective, the Penn State counseling and psychological staff across the entire commonwealth was able to come together to meet the clinical needs of our student body without pause since last spring. The rapid implementation of technology has been one of the good things to come out of this adjustment,” Stefanelli said. “It’s important for students to continue to feel supported during this unique time.”
For more information on counseling and psychological events and services, contact Stefanelli at kjh144@psu.edu or 570-963-2694. Or, visit https://scranton.psu.edu/counseling-psychological-services.