November 12, 2007
Queens, N.Y. -
University’s Center for Psychological
Services to Offer Counseling for Soldiers, Veterans and
Families
St. John’s University’s Center for Psychological Services and
the PARTNERS Program have announced the launch of the Military
Services Initiative (MSI), designed to provide free psychological
support services to military personnel and their families.
The newly developed program was designed to address several
psychological issues and stressors that U.S. soldiers and their
families face prior to, during and post-deployment to the war in
Iraq, as well as other conflicts around the world.
“We are all aware of the tremendous challenges that our
servicemen and women face when they deploy and it is a fitting
tribute to those who have given so much that we announce this
program on Veteran’s Day,” said Richard Morrissey, Ph.D., Director
of the Center for Psychological Services at St. John’s. “One
of the biggest challenges for both those in the military and their
families is the psychological impact of the stress of
deployment. Our program will attempt to provide some of the
supports that are needed.”
Graduate students enrolled in St. John’s Psychology Department,
working under the supervision of licensed faculty, have received
specialized training and are prepared to provide confidential
psychological assessments and counseling. Counseling may be
provided for various concerns to military personnel, veterans and
their families including:
- The anticipation of separation and its effects on all family
members
- Fears of family members and the effects of the absence of a
deployed parent on the household
- Reintegration and readjustment
- Trauma-related symptoms caused by exposure to violence or
infliction of injury
- Anxiety, depression, substance use and relationship
difficulties related to the stresses of military assignment.
The Center for Psychological Services at St. John’s University
was established in 1986 with the dual mission of providing
psychological services to community residents and training
opportunities to graduate psychology students of the University’s
Clinical and School Psychology programs. In 2006, the Center
moved to its current location in the community, located at 152-11
Union Turnpike. The Center offers a full range of
psychological services for children, adolescents, adults and
families, including individual consultation and psychotherapy,
psycho-educational and personality assessments, family therapy,
group therapy, and school-based services.
St. John’s PARTNERS Program offers mental health services to
preschoolers, children, and adolescents who have been through
stressful or traumatic events and are experiencing emotional or
behavioral problems. The PARTNERS Program is designed to give
children ways to cope with feelings and thoughts related to the
traumatic event, and to give caregivers ways to decrease their
stress and increase their ability to gain their children's
cooperation.
To inquire about the Center for Psychological Services’ support
for Military Personnel and their Families, please call (718)
990-1900.