How do I make an appointment?

To make an initial appointment, please stop by the Counseling Center and complete and hand-in an intake form (blue sheet on the credenza). We will contact you as soon as possible (within 24 hours) to set a meeting time. If you are interested in an alcohol assessment or a learning disability assessment, call 337-7190 or email ahill@kzoo.edu and an appropriate form will be sent to you. Please fill it out and return it to the Counseling Center. If you wish to cancel an appointment, please let us know as soon as possible, as our schedules are typically very full. Twenty four-hour notice is best for us, but calling at the last minute is preferable to not letting us know.

How do I know if I could use counseling?

Counseling can be useful for students with mild difficulties in their lives as well as those with more serious or long standing problems. Any student who would like to sort out any concern is encouraged to come to the Counseling Center. Some of the most frequent concerns that bring students to the Counseling Center are: depression, anxiety, trouble with romantic relationships, family issues, academic stress, learning disabilities, low self-esteem, difficulty getting along or making friends, concerns about family members or friends, eating issues, sexuality issues (including sexual orientation), and questions about the use of alcohol and/or other drugs.

How does counseling/therapy work?

When you first come for counseling, we will want you to describe what's brought you to us and how you understand the problem or concern. We may then ask you questions about your background and other areas of your life to develop a fuller picture of you. As counseling proceeds, we will work with you to understand further your concerns and the feelings that accompany them. Sorting through thoughts, feelings and behaviors will help you understand yourself better, clarify your goals and work through your concerns.

How do I get in touch with the Counseling Center (Staff)?

You may contact the staff by phone or by e-mail (click here for phone numbers and email addresses) or by leaving a message in the message box on the credenza in the Counseling Center. If you contact the answering machine, please leave a message that includes the best time to return your call during the day. We will not leave messages on your phone machine or with roommates, unless you instruct us to do so. If we cannot contact you by phone or e-mail, we will leave a message in your mail box

Is everything I say in counseling "confidential?

We do not give out information about your participation in or the content of your counseling -- even to faculty members, parents, or RAs--unless you give us your consent. Typically, that consent involves filling out a short written form that indicates with whom we may communicate and about what. The exception to this policy of strict confidentiality involves situations where we believe that you are clearly dangerous to yourself or to others. In those cases, we are ethically and legally bound as psychologists and counselors to inform persons, such as family members and/or residence staff, who can help reduce the risks of serious harm to yourself or others. The Dean of Students is also informed of these very serious situations.

Who's Who on the Counseling Center Staff?

We are staffed by two Ph.D. clinical psychologists, Director Pat Ponto and Associate Director Alan Hill, an ACSW level counselor, Doree Lipson, a Ph.D. Counseling Psychologist, Danielle Standish and by 3 intern counselors, Amy Cavanaugh, Kristin Gellen, Adriana Fox, and Danny Huber.

Dr. Pat Ponto has been Director of Counseling at "K" since 1986. Her particular clinical interests include depression, eating disorders, women's issues, and concerns about self-esteem. More information on Dr. Ponto.

Dr. Alan M. Hill has been at "K" since 1992, fancies himself a generalist with special interests in anxiety, addictions, anger issues, family issues and ADD/Learning Disabilities. Dr. Hill performs alcohol and LD evaluations. More information on Dr. Hill.

Doree Lipson, M.S.W., joined the Counseling Center in the Winter of 2006. Her clinical interests include sexual abuse/assault, sexual orientation; eating issues, meditation and relationship issues. More information on Ms. Lipson.

Dr. Danielle Standish joined the counseling center in Spring of 2006. Her areas of interest include multicultural and diversity issues, outreach and training of interns.

Amy Cavanaugh is a third year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology program at Western Michigan University. Prior to attending Western, Amy received her Master's in Counseling from Ball State University. Her research interest includes domestic violence, sexual assault, body image, women's issues, and vicarious traumatization.

Kristin Gillen, M.A., is an intern from the Ph.D. program in counseling psychology at Western Michigan University. This is Kristin’s second year interning with the Counseling Center. Kristin’s professional areas of interest include: grief and loss (with a particular emphasis on relationship breakups), resilience and coping, humor, college student adjustment and transition, and existentialism. She identifies her primary theoretical orientation as Interpersonal Process. In her spare time Kristin enjoys running, dancing, listening to music, writing, cooking, and laughing.

Adriana Fox, M.A., originally from Romania, is an intern from the Ph.D. program in counselor education at Western Michigan University. This is her second year interning at K College. Adriana’s primary areas of interest include counseling international students, adjustment issues, as well as treatment of anxiety and depression

Danny Huber, M.A., is an intern from the Ph.D. program in counseling psychology at Western Michigan University. Danny moved to Kalamazoo from Iowa, where he frequently travels to visit his family. Danny's areas of professional interest include depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, and learning disabilities. For fun, he enjoys exercising, boating, traveling, and playing with his 2-year-old niece.