Within the first few days of the fall semester, students at Gwynedd Mercy University received an email detailing turnover in the counseling department. This turnover included a change in the Director of Counseling Services, the Alcohol and Other Drug Coordinator, and the elimination of a part-time counselor position. With such changes in crucial roles for the counseling department, it can cause a lot of uneasiness and hesitation when it comes to students seeking help for their mental health.
Daniel Jordan took on the role as the new Director of Counseling Services. Jordan began working in Gwynedd Mercy’s counseling department 15 years ago, and has been serving as the Assistant Director of Counseling Services since 2019.
“Some things aren’t new” Jordan explains, speaking on his experience since the promotion. “The general day to day stuff is almost no different. Seeing clients, that’s not any different. Supervising interns, that’s not different.”
However, it isn’t entirely the same as his previous position. “What is different is running the day to day. Being a backup, that’s one thing… but now running it is a different story.” That being said, Jordan is still well equipped to handle these changes. “Being the one go-to person is a little different, that’s for sure. But those things I was used to doing, just not everyday.”
Jordan isn’t the only person in a new position, Sara Hollie Pew has taken over the Alcohol and Other Drug Coordinator position. Previously Hollie Pew served as the lead intern for Counseling Services.
As the Alcohol and Other Drug Coordinator, Hollie Pew oversees initiatives regarding substance abuse on campus. “As the AOD coordinator I build and present psychoeducational programming around AOD use, conduct AOD sessions with students who violate university drug policy, collect survey data for social norming programming, and collaborate with other departments on ways to engage with students.”
In 2023, the Alcohol and Other Drug Department at Gwynedd Mercy reported 79.9% of students reported not engaging in binge drinking, and 91.8% not using cannabis of any form.
Hollie Pew is confident in the abilities of her staff, despite the staffing changes in the department. “Transitional periods can always bring about uncertainty and worry. Dan and I’s goal is to make sure students continue to have access to counseling services as well as provide resources in new direct ways online and around campus, including Timely Care. We have a strong group of intern clinicians and will continue to bring on talented and skilled clinicians from grad programs in the area to build out our clinical team who worked with students on all sorts of issues. “
Timely Care is a new online based program that provides a variety of mental health services. Using Timely Care, you can get access to emotional support for a variety of issues that may be weighing on you 24/7. Timely Care also offers scheduled counseling, health coaching, psychiatry (with a referral from Counseling Services), self care content, and community resources for basic needs.
Jordan emphasizes the benefit of having a program like Timely Care, “Our hours are 8:30 to 4:30. In general, that’s where we see the bulk of our students. But that doesn’t fit everybody. Outside of those hours, Timely Care can pick up with that, for commuters, for ourselves, for anybody who wants to utilize that.”
Between the extensive experience of the staff in Counseling Services, and the new Timely Care program, students have a lot of options to go to for good mental health support. To get involved in Counseling Services, see them on the Griffin Complex second floor, or email [email protected]. Register for Timely Care at timelycare.com/gmercyu.
