The Peterson Counseling Center at the Ringling College of Art and Design provides a confidential, safe, supportive atmosphere for students.  Our focus is on the development of the whole person, including mental, emotional, social, physical and spiritual well-being. The Center’s licensed professional staff is committed to providing a full range of mental health services and programs. Services are designed to assist students manage the various stressors and personal demands that occur throughout their four year academic career. All services provided by the Peterson Counseling Center are voluntary and at no cost to the students.

The specific counseling services and preventive programs include:

Ulifeline
(Ulifeline) This service is intended for college students nation-wide, providing links to various resources.  To access it, click on the link.  Select "student log on."  This will not identify you.  Under "select student's state" choose Florida.  For "select school" choose Ringling College of Art and Design.  Click "log in."

Web Links

College Student Links and Mental Health Resources

Some helpful links in dealing with the aftermath of tragedy at Virginia Tech

"Surviving the effects of trauma"

Road to Resilience

Managing Traumatic Stress 

Mind/Body Health: The Effects of Traumatic Stress

Managing Your Distress

Guided Meditation & Yoga Exercises (Audio)

A Guide for Faculty and Staff

Guide for Parents

HEARTWORK

How to get what you really, really want!

Heartwork by Dale Goldstein combines meditation, therapy & music as a guide for self-discovery.  Enjoy exploring his web site which is filled with thoughtful experiential exercises to guide you to your true nature and hearts desire.

If at any point you have explored the exercises and would like to further process your experience, please feel free to come into the Counseling Center!

Location

The Peterson Counseling Center is located next door to the Bradenton Rd. Apartments. The address is 1159 Greensboro Lane (little house with a blue door). We may be contacted by the following:

Mailing Address

Ringling College of Art and Design
Peterson Counseling Center
2700 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, Florida  34234

Telephone

(941) 355-7446


General Office Hours

The Peterson Counseling Center is open between the hours of 8:30A.M. and 4:30 P.M. (Monday - Friday) We are closed during official College Holidays.

Emergency Services
 
The Counseling Center offers after-hours on-campus emergency coverage for life-threatening situations and trauma. After hours emergency service is available by calling the Campus Police at (941) 359-7500.


Appointments

Students may schedule an appointment by e-mail to counseling@Ringling.edu
or calling (941) 355-7446 or simply walk in to the Counseling Center to set a time for an intake session. Students will typically be seen by a counselor within a few days. Students in crisis will be seen as soon as possible on the same day.


Staff

The Peterson Counseling Center staff is comprised of experienced mental health professionals well versed in young adult development and in the special demands and rigors of colligate life. The staff includes a licensed mental health counselor, psychologist and psychiatric nurse practitioner.

Nancy Long, LMHC
Clinical Director
nlong@ringling.edu

Kenneth F. Mroz, LCSW, Ph.D.
Associate Clinical Director
kmroz@ringling.edu

Maria Harp, ARNP
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
mharp@ringling.edu

Jeanne Creameans, ARNP
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
jcremean@ringling.edu

Scott Permesly, MD
Psychiatry and Neurology
Staff Consultant

Individual Counseling

Involves meeting one-on-one with a counselor, often on a weekly basis. Usually this is short-term, though on occasion, longer-term counseling may be available. Many students meet with a counselor sporadically throughout their college years as particular concerns arise.

Typical concerns students discuss in personal counseling include:

• Adjusting to college
• Coping with stress
• Confusion, anxiety or depression
• Dealing with fears
• Family concerns – including parental divorce
• Loneliness
• Romantic concerns
• Balancing academics and social needs
• Self-destructive use of alcohol or drugs
• Loss of a relationship
• Understanding one’s sexuality
• Exploring career choice
• Personal trauma such as sexual assault
• Illness, death of a friend or family member

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Group Counseling

Small groups of students are occasionally formed for mutual support and shared learning. Examples are: First Year and Non-Traditional Student Support Groups, Art Therapy, and various 12 Step Programs. Students are encouraged to contact the Counseling Center to request specific groups.

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Psychopharmacological Evaluations and follow-up

The Counseling Center is staffed with nurse practitioners who provide complete psychiatric evaluations, prescribe and monitor psychotropic medications. Mental health diagnosis such as depression and anxiety can be assessed and appropriate medications prescribed if necessary. A psychiatrist comes to the Counseling Center on a monthly basis for consultation purposes. Off campus referrals are provided upon request.

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Crisis Intervention

The Counseling Center provides 24-hour emergency coverage. Emergencies such as suicidal or homicidal crisis, sexual assault, rape or serious accidents. For  after hour services, please contact Resident Life Director, a Resident Assistant or the Campus Police at (941)-359-7500

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Educational Programs and Workshops

Workshops are designed to help students learn skills to cope with the stress of living in a fast paced, competitive world. Examples include: Stress Management, Assertiveness Training, Positive Body Image and Healthy Relationships.

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Personality Testing

The Counseling Center provides some testing services. In many cases this is done in the context of individual counseling. Currently the Counseling Center offers personality testing with the Myers-Briggs Inventory, Depression and Substance Abuse Screening.

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Consultation

Occasionally students, faculty and staff have a concern about the behavior of a student and would like to consult with a professional about what might be done to help the individual. The Counseling Center staff is available to provide assistance and when appropriate explore ways to make an effective referral.

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Referrals

In some cases the Counseling Center is unable to provide the service requested or a student may seek services outside the Counseling Center. The staff of the Counseling Center is often able to help individuals find the most appropriate source of help and facilitate the referral process.

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Confidentiality

The counseling center staff abide by all ethical and legal obligations adhering strictly to the laws of confidentiality. Parents, professors, administrators, etc. cannot receive information without students’ signed permission. However, in a life-threatening situation, confidence may need to be broken to protect the safety of a student or others.
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