Laura Givey
by Beth Conahan
assistant news editor
Need someone to listen? Cabrini has two new counselors to hear you out.
Susan Irwin and Krista Russell now have office hours in the Rooymans Center.
Russell is a licensed social worker and Irwin has a master’s in counseling psychology from Villanova and is a certified student assistant liaison. Irwin brings 10 years of experience in community mental health and drug and alcohol abuse to the college.
The college’s counseling services have undergone a series of changes this year.
In order to make an appointment, simply call or stop by the Rooymans Center.
If after speaking with a counselor, the issue seems as though it will require long-term therapy, situations like alcoholism and eating disorders, the student will be referred to an outside agency with greater expertise in his or her area of need.
The college has decided that on-campus long-term counseling simply wouldn’t work, and Irwin agrees.
“You can’t do it when you (students) have a month break at Christmas and holidays,” Irwin said.
If a student’s issue doesn’t require long-term therapy, he or she will continue sessions with either Irwin or Russell on campus. Most situations only require six to eight visits.
If after those visits the student needs to come back, he or she can just call and make another appointment.
In addition to being a counselor on campus, Irwin is also the coordinator of the Peer Health Educators. Peer education went from being under health services to counseling services, another change this year. Peer educators have just finished up with programs on Alcohol Awareness Week and are preparing for Nov. 16, the Great American Smoke Out.
To make an appointment with a counselor, call Russell or Irwin at (610) 902-8566. If the counselors are busy with a client, call Eleanor DiDonato at (610) 902-8561.
Counselors are available on Mondays from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
