COUNSELING SERVICES

Suzana Flores ,Psy.D. Director of Counseling and Disability Services
(800) 351-3450 x 8616

The College recognizes that preparing for a professional career is a challenging process, which involves personal growth and development. The Counseling Center strives to help students with the transition to college life, serve as a resource for students dealing with personal issues that impact their academic success, and support them as they make their way to graduation. The Counseling office maintains student confidentiality and assists students by providing referral to community resources if necessary.

Scope of Services

Counseling services at The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago are available to students to provide quality, short-term intervention, to help students alleviate emotional problems and to assist them in recognizing and cultivating their own abilities and resources. The Counselor facilitates self-awareness of problems that limit or prevent students from achieving academic success or personal satisfaction while promoting positive behavioral change. The Counselor adheres to the American Psychological Association Code of Ethics and Standard Practices, and all services are kept confidential in accordance with state laws. The Counselor works in the Student Affairs office located at the Mart campus. serving all students and providing services to students tailored to their specific needs.

What Help Can You Expect?

Counseling services are available at no additional cost to students enrolled in an educational program at The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago. The Counselor is available by appointment or students may "drop in" to access services. Services provided by on-site counseling staff may include the following: individual intake sessions, educational programming, advocacy, diagnostic testing, and crisis intervention. These services attempt to address the personal, academic and career needs of students. The Counselor is responsible for maintaining necessary records and for their confidentiality and security. It is the policy of The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago to obtain permission from clients prior to disclosure or transfer of records to any third parties, except where disclosure is compelled by judicial process or in case of emergency including threat of harm.

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Individual Counseling

Individual counseling sessions are available at the Mart campus. Students can receive assistance with concerns that include adjustment, separation, identity, relationships, self-esteem, and addiction.

Disabilities Services

The Office is located in Student Affairs of the Mart Campus: 350 N Orleans, Chicago IL 60654. The Student Support and Disability Services Coordinator is available for consultation and may be contacted by telephone: (312)-777-8616 or fax: (312) 777-8784.

Counseling and Disability Services seeks to assist students and their families in making the necessary arrangements to facilitate full participation in academic and extracurricular pursuits.

The Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and applicable local, state and federal statutes regarding nondiscrimination against persons with disabilities. A student with a disability is defined as one who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of the student's major life activities, has a record of such impairment or is regarded as having the impairment.

Where reasonable and appropriate, the Illinois Institute of Art will provide assistance to students with disabilities who request help with academic or personal concerns to insure equal access to programs and services. Notifying The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago that you have a disability is optional. However students requesting reasonable accommodations should contact the Director of Counseling and Disability Services 6 weeks prior to their of enrollment in order to ensure that reasonable accommodations can be made. Students who are returning or who would like to discuss accommodations should provide 6 week notice prior to enrollment so that reasonable accommodation options may be discussed and implemented as appropriate.

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Outreach Activities/Workshops

Counseling outreach through workshops and activities complements individual/group counseling and provides opportunities for students to participate in and learn about various wellness topics. These workshops and activities offer support and may lead to improved personal satisfaction and academic success. The activities vary in length and are generally open to students, faculty and staff of the school. A variety of offerings are available on topics such as stress and time management, drug and alcohol education and prevention, sexuality, identity and community resource awareness.

Advocacy

Advocacy is an important component of the support the Counselor can provide to students. Advocacy is typically offered to students during academic and conduct appeals and for conflict mediation with faculty, staff and fellow students. The Counselor may also advocate for students with outside resources such as other mental health agencies or community service agencies.

Crisis Intervention

The Counselor at The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago can provide crisis services during normal operating hours. Crisis services also include the use of local emergency services (9-1-1) when appropriate.

Community Services Referral

Students suffering from problems that require assistance outside the Counselor's area of expertise or that require more intensive therapy or a specialized treatment approach or treatment for serious mental health problems are referred to a community service provider. We recommend that these services be reviewed with family members and insurance carriers, where relevant, before a final selection is made.

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