COUNSELING

SERVICES
EXPLORING ADAPTABILITY OF COUNSELING SERVICES AMIDST MULTIPLE GLOBAL
FACTORS INCREASING STUDENT NEED ON CONSTRAINED BUDGETS
 This Research was Conducted by:
Jamaal Washington Azucena Gutierrez
Fresno State SupportNet Advisor Fresno State Admin Coordinator
Graduate Scholar - HEAL 2020 cohort Graduate Scholar - HEAL 2020 Cohort
he/him/his she/her/hers
 OVERVIEW
Our scholarly intrigue on this research topic centers on identifying the range of responsibilities for professionals in the
Functional Area of Counseling Services and how the student demand has changed as a result of:

• COVID-19
• Black Lives Matter movement and social unrest
• natural disasters
• varied forms of grief
• legislative changes to Title IX, DACA, NCAA regulations on compensation

We then sought insight into how institutions have been able to adapt the expanding role of Counseling Services while
simultaneously facing budgetary constraints. We conclude our work with recommendations informed by multiple,
foundational resources centered on guiding Student Affairs and higher education leaders.
STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES – COVID19

• Counseling Services need to adapt to respond to the effects of COVID-19

• campus closures
• transition to virtual learning

• Utilizing technology to meet the demands of students

• flexibility in scheduling meetings
• using social media accounts
• creation of new programs
 BUDGET CONSTRAINTS
• Increased student participation over the past 5 years
• Divestment of funding
• redistribution of limited total funds to all programs
• Expanded need for Counseling Services to match demands resulting from increased student
diversity and legislative change, leading to increased counselors time on task forces /
committees
• BIT, TAT, Title IX, etc.
• Decline in staffing leading to more focus shifting to traditional students
• Trends of Outsourcing Counseling Services to community health networks
 MEETING INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF STUDENTS

• Providing adequate services to non-traditional students

• “necessary kinds of support and access may differ, depending on whether those students
are LGBTQ, students of color, low-income, international or graduate students” (Mitchell
et. al, 2019)

• Providing sufficient mental health support to students

• counselor to student ratio
• limited 30 minute sessions
• creating programs that benefit students equally
 PERSPECTIVES OF A PROFESSIONAL
• Diana Karageozian, Clinical Case Manager
• mission of the Student Health and Counseling Center
• programs created in response to COVID-19
• telehealth
• Alone Together
• Conversations on Grief

• budget limitations
• “would be nice to have more counselors”
• 10 counselors 3-5 interns, 24,341 enrolled Fresno State students

• providing adequate support

• diverse strengths: crisis, international students, victims, survivors, varying ages, cultures, belief systems
• matching students with counselors appropriately
 RECOMMENDATIONS
• Need diversely talented transformative leaders capable of understanding campus culture, building strong
internal and external partnerships and successfully execute necessary change
• Greater oversight of higher education budgets and spending
• Preserve, Prepare, Propel Counseling Services
• Preserve this area which plays a critical role initiating student development and well-being through their
services
• Prepare this area with the resources needed to adequately provide accessible services to all students and their
diverse needs
• Propel this Functional Area in anticipation that needs expand beyond matters of today, and create room for this
area to grow
• Work to sustain adaptable and accessible services that meet diverse student needs.
QUESTIONS?