Counseling Lab

Mission

The mission of each clinic is to provide excellent counseling, intervention, and assessment services to clients while simultaneously providing the best possible training to graduate students in  the Counselor Education graduate programs.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is assured to all individuals. As the lab is a training facility, all counseling and supervision sessions are video recorded to be used as training tools. In using the Lab, clients or appropriate guardians must grant permission for the sessions to be video recorded. The DVDs are viewed by students and their supervisors. Practicum or internship classes use the recordings to review student progress. All video recordings are kept at the Lab in a locked room. The recordings do not leave the building. If there is a need to view the DVD in a practicum or internship class the academic instructor requests the release of the recording and will transport the DVD to and from the class meetings. DVDs are erased or destroyed at the end of each semester unless counseling is continuing the following semester. If counseling sessions continue past one semester, DVDs are erased or destroyed when counseling services are terminated.

Exceptions

All information obtained from clients (including DVD recordings) is treated with the strictest confidence. No information will be transferred to any individual or agency without the prior written approval except for the following situations:

1. If there is reason to believe that a client will harm herself/himself or others;
2. If there is reasonable suspicion of child or elder abuse or neglect;
3. If a court of law mandates the release of records or a clinician's verbal testimony;
4. In a case of a medical emergency in the Lab, when transport of a client to a medical facility must be arranged, others would likely become aware that the client is receiving services at the Lab.

Box Lab Fees for Services

Services are available to faculty, staff, and community clients at the Box Lab on a sliding fee scale. The sliding fee scale is based on a person's income and number of individuals in the session. Occasionally, clinicians may choose to provide pro bono (without payment or compensation) counseling services to clients who are unable to pay. The Box Lab accepts cash or checks only and currently does NOT accept credit cards, bank cards, health insurance, or any other third party payments, Medicaid or Medicare.

Counseling Services

Counseling services include individual, couples and group counseling services. Fees for sessions with a clinician are set on a sliding scale ranging from $10 to $60 per 50-minute session. This sliding fee scale is based on a person's income. Individual and couples pay one flat rate. Group members vary with services. Any proposed deviations from the fees listed below must be approved by the Box Lab Director. MSU students (currently enrolled) who are referred by MSU Student Counseling Services are not charged for counseling services.

General Information

History of the Counseling Lab

The original Counseling Laboratory began in 1967. This laboratory consisted of three observation counseling booths that were equipped with two-way mirrors and microphones allowing a supervisor to observe the current session. The content of the original session was limited to role play situations between counselors in training. No services were available to the public.

In 1988, the Department of Counselor Education began the first video laboratory. This laboratory consisted of one counseling room, which provided the counselor with a video recording of the session. This allowed the counselor to receive supervision at a later date. Very limited counseling services were available to the public for the first time.

After the combination of the Department of Counselor Education and the Department of Educational Psychology, one need of both departments was to increase experiences in the area of counseling and assessment. The Counseling and School Psychology Laboratory is able to accomplish this goal by providing counseling experiences and assessment training with supervision to students in these areas.

The laboratory provides six counseling and testing rooms that allow for video recording of all sessions. This capability allows for both direct observation with immediate supervision as well as delayed supervision. Larger rooms with recording capabilities are available for group counseling.

The laboratory is designed to provide practical experience for counselors/school psychologists-in-training and to offer counseling services and psychological assessment to the Mississippi State campus and local community. Students are able to observe counseling sessions, practice their skills, and provide and receive supervision services in the lab. Typically, faculty and doctoral students supervise master's students and doctoral supervisors are supervised directly by departmental faculty.

Box Lab Hours

The Box Counseling and School Psychology Lab is typically open:

The Lab is open for clinical use and Counseling and Educational Psychology (CEP) classes when academic classes are in session and closed during the interim weeks between academic semesters and on holidays. In case of a crisis when the Clinic is closed, please contact the MSU Campus Police at 325-2121.

Staff

The Box Counseling Lab staff includes a faculty Lab Director, doctoral-level counselors, interns and practicum students, and a part-time office assistant. Box doctoral student staff members also serve as Box Lab Supervisor(s).

Consultation

Staff members consult with the Mississippi State University Office of Student Counseling Services and the Longest Student Health Center doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, and nutritionist when they determine consultation to be in the best interest of the client.

Staff Development

Staff meetings are held weekly by the Box Lab Director to review administrative issues, and to provide supervision and consultation. Other professional development opportunities may be provided for staff and clinicians at this time.

Testing and Assessment

Assessment services include psycho-educational and academic assessments, behavioral assessments, and other forms of psychological evaluation. Some assessments are based on diagnostic interviews, while other assessments are based on standardized testing. Behavioral assessments may include observations, interviews, or structured play.

Types of Services

Services are provided to MSU faculty, staff, and members of the Starkville community and their families, including children and adolescents, are eligible for services available in the Box Lab. Potential clients can schedule an initial appointment for an intake or clients may schedule a return appointment by calling the Box Lab at 325-0717.

Because this is a training facility, service provision is subject to availability of Box staff, supervisors, and graduate student clinicians. Clients are screened by Lab staff for appropriateness for the Box Lab and any individual with needs beyond the abilities of the available clinicians will be referred to an appropriate service provider. Other than fulfilling class requirements or other options, students are encouraged to use the services provided the Mississippi State University Office of Student Counseling Services.

People typically seek counseling for personal growth or development, as well as when they experience:

• Personal difficulties
• Family and relationship difficulties
• Career or work-related problems

Services include

Individual Counseling
Clinicians can assist individuals with a variety of personal issues, such as, academic or career difficulties, self-esteem, stress, adjustment, depression, anxiety, grief, sexual identity, relationship conflicts, eating disorders, alcohol and other drug abuse, behavior changes, and family of origin issues. Individuals diagnosed with more severe psychiatric disabilities whose needs are beyond the abilities of the clinicians will be referred to appropriate mental health care providers for long-term therapy and follow-up care. (Counseling)

Couples and Family Counseling
Clinicians work with families, couples, and others engaged in close relationships to alleviate the presenting issues or to restore distressed couples/families to a better level of functioning. The clinician usually meets the couple or members of the family at the same time. Clinicians working with couples/family are generally more interested in relationship dynamics (what goes on between couples/family members) rather than within individuals. Reasons for couple/family distress can include communication difficulties, incompatibility, intimacy, sexual difficulties, etc. (Counseling)

Group Counseling
Often individuals participate in psychoeducational group therapy in lieu of or in addition to individual therapy to address personal/interpersonal issues. Counseling and psychoeducational groups are provided depending on client need and staff expertise. Psychoeducational groups typically involve small, carefully selected groups of individuals who meet regularly with a Clinician for structured group sessions. These groups typically work on specific goals and objectives related to issues common to all group members. Examples of these types of groups include, but are not limited to, groups for time management, stress management, anger management, interpersonal relationships, social skills, personal growth, grief, sexual orientation, family issues, eating and body image concerns, and wellness. (Counseling)

Walk-Ins
The Staff will accommodate "walk-ins" as scheduling will permit. If the walk-in is a Mississippi State University student, they may be referred and encouraged to use MSU Student Counseling Services Office. Non-students may be referred to community counseling or private practice. (Counseling)

Waiting List
Any individuals seeking services, that are unable to be addressed within 24 hours, will be referred to MSU Student Counseling Services on campus (if an MSU student) or to community counseling or private practice if not an MSU student. (Counseling)

Referral
To best meet client needs, the Box Lab staff may refer to other professionals if necessary. Other professionals may include, but is not limited to, appropriate mental health care professionals in the community, physicians for medication needs, psychiatrists for a possible psychiatric evaluation, or a nutritionist for education and meal planning. (Counseling and School Psychology)

Location

We are located on the campus of Mississippi State University in the Box Building on Morrill Road, southeast of the Student Health Center. The Box Building provides a serene atmosphere secluded from the daily activity of the central campus. Individuals will find this location provides both privacy and confidentiality. You may wish to view a detailed map of the campus determine our location. You may contact the lab directly for an appointment or for more information by calling (662) 325-0717.

Counseling Clinic

Box Counseling Lab Manual

For additional information about the Counseling Clinic, e-mail us at:

counsellab@colled.msstate.edu or write us at:

Counseling Clinic
P. O. Box 9727
Mississippi State, MS 39759
Phone: 662-325-0943