Spring 2022 ~ Newsletter ~ Counseling ~ Graduate Psychology ~ CHBS

Welcome to the Spring Semester!

Happy New Year, and welcome to the spring semester! This issue is all about connection and support. With another look to our past (Alum Spotlight) our near future (Calendar), we want to highlight opportunities for connection (Tea and Talk) and celebrate our accomplishments (Fall Graduation). As we continue to respond to the to the pandemic as a community, look stay up-to-date to the current JMU safety measures (Responding to Covid Together).

Alum Spotlight

We continue our new feature that shines light on some of our recent alums. Read below to hear what they are up to and advice they have for current students.

Jennifer Semaan, LPC

Since graduating from the CMHC program in 2016, I worked in a variety of settings within community mental health through the Fairfax County Community Services Board. The populations I worked with included individuals with serious and persistent mental illnesses and substance abuse living in a 24-hour residential treatment program, hospitalized patients with NGRI status (not guilty by reason of insanity), and incarcerated inmates at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.

In 2020 I started my own private practice on a part-time basis, and eventually made the switch to full time in April 2021. I have loved every minute of private practice and highly recommend it as a career route post-licensure.

Reccomendations for current students:

Take in every ounce of wisdom from your JMU professors. They are absolutely invaluable assets in both, your student and your professional life. The CMHC program can sometimes feel like your very own intense therapy journey, and that's okay! Embrace it, as it will make you a much better clinician on the long run. And most importantly, keep self-care in the forefront of your mind.

We Care About You and Our Community

JMU and the Department of Graduate Psychology are committed to the health and well-being of every single member of our learning community. This means that we remain responsive on a daily basis to the ebb and flow of the COVID-19 virus in our community and among its members. If you are feeling at all under the weather or have any concern that you may have been exposed, we cannot stress strongly enough that we prefer you not to attend in-person classes. Accommodations will be made without any consequences for those who prefer to meet synchronously online or via asynchronous methods. We should not be taking any risks with each other.

If you have questions about JMU’s planning and response, please refer to the University Health Center page. This page is being continually updated. Read President Alger’s message regarding protocols and safety measures for the spring semester.

Return of Tea and Talk!

We are once again offering once a month “Tea and Talk” meetings. Some of you may have not experienced these gatherings. For the time being, we will offer “Tea and Talk” via Zoom, with program directors sending out the link prior. “Tea and Talk” presents the opportunity for:

Connection. Catch up and check in with students and faculty whom you may not see regularly.
Reminders. Faculty facilitators will review the calendar and offer recommendations for items to keep on your radar. Occasionally, alums or other members of our community may talk about professional opportunities like conferences, volunteering, and jobs.
Questions. Everyone will have an opportunity to ask questions in all matters related to the programs and counseling professions that can benefit everyone.

Check out the calendar below for the dates!

Fall Graduations

We want to recognize the graduation this past December of Mari Peyton Kouchinsky. We wish you well in your future endeavors!

Counseling Programs Calendar

Counseling Programs Calendar Spring 2022
January
1/14/2022	CHBS Opening Meeting (virtual)
1/18/2022	Classes Begin
1/20/2022	CACREP and Director's Meeting: 11:00AM-1:00PM
1/20/2022	GCC: 2:00-3:30PM
1/24/2022	Lennie & Eric's Retirement Celebration at 11:00AM
February
2/1/2022	Tea & Talk with Amanda
2/7/2022	Counseling Faculty Meeting: 10:00AM-12:00PM
2/8/2022	Last day to withdraw from the university Assessment day - no classes
2/10/2022	CACREP and Director's meeting: 11:00AM-1:00PM GCC: 2:00-3:30PM
2/11/2022	CMHC & School Program Interviews
2/14/2022	CMHC & School Program Interviews Graduate Psychology Department Meeting: 1:00-2:30PM
2/17/2022	ASIST Training
2/18/2022	ASIST Training
2/21/2022	Counseling Faculty Meeting: 10:00AM-12:00PM
2/24/2022	CACREP and Director's meeting: 11:00AM-1:00PM GCC: 2:00-3:30PM
March
3/2/2022	Tea & Talk with Joe
3/4/2022	Motivational Interviewing: 9:00AM-12:00PM
3/7/2022	Counseling Faculty Meeting: 10:00AM-12:00PM
3/10/2022	CACREP and Director's meeting: 11:00AM-1:00PM GCC: 2:00-3:30PM
3/14-18/2022	Spring Break (no department faculty meeting this month)
3/21/2022	Counseling Faculty Meeting: 10:00AM-12:00PM
3/24/2022	CACREP and Director's meeting: 11:00AM-1:00PM GCC: 2:00-3:30PM
April
4/4/2022	Counseling Faculty Meeting: 10:00AM-12:00PM
4/7/2022	CACREP and Director's meeting: 11:00AM-1:00PM GCC: 2:00-3:30PM
4/7-10/2022	ACA Conference, Atlanta, Georgia
4/11/2022	Graduate Psychology Department Meeting: 1:00-2:30PM Summer Registration Begins
4/13/2022	Last Day to Submit an application for Ed.S.
4/14/2022	Tea & Talk with Michele and Renee
4/18/2022	Counseling Faculty Meeting: 10:00AM-12:00PM
4/21/2022	CACREP and Director's meeting: 11:00AM-1:00PM GCC: 2:00-3:30PM
4/22/2022	Spring Symposium
May
5/5/2022	Last day of classes
5/6-12/2022	Final exams week
5/12/2022	Deadline for completion of coursework (May graduates) Graduation Celebration
5/12-14/2022	Commencement
5/17/2022	Grades due