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VCOM Students

Counseling Services

VCOM provides mental health counseling for students free of charge.  Each VCOM campus employs a Director for Counseling Services who has a doctoral-level degree, expertise, and experience in educational counseling.

The Director for Counseling Services on each campus provides counseling for students who are experiencing difficulty with life stressors and/or difficulty with adapting to the medical school environment.  Students commonly seek counseling services for relationship issues, anxiety, life transitions, organizational skills, difficulties with sleep, and stress management. These are the most common issues medical students tend to encounter; however, this list may include anything else that surfaces as a barrier to success in medical school like substance use, grief, and perfectionism. Sometimes students just feel overwhelmed and are unsure of the next best steps to take. VCOM recognizes there are issues that a student may not wish to discuss with a VCOM counselor or mental health issues that require ongoing care.  For such instances, VCOM has contracted with external counseling services.  Students may contact VCOM’s counselors for information on how to obtain external counseling services and such information is also provided during orientation.

Counseling is confidential and information is not shared with administration, faculty, staff, or other students unless the safety of a student is in question.

No issue is too big or too small, so don’t hesitate to reach out!  Appointments may be conducted as in-person meetings or via Zoom if a student is located away from campus. To schedule an appointment, students should use the Bookings link previously provided to them or call/email their campus Director.

 

 

Dr. Edward Magalhaes

Dr. Edward Magalhaes is a clinical faculty member who specializes in behavioral medicine. He provides counseling at the VCOM - Virginia Campus, lectures on various topics in psychiatry and ethics, and serves as the humanistic expert for the Standardized Patient program. Dr. Magalhaes received his Doctoral degree in Education Curriculum & Instructional Design focused on Health Promotion & his Masters in Counselor Education from Virginia Tech. He has experience working as a short term crisis counselor; working as an outpatient counselor dealing with various mood disorders, addiction, anxiety, and PTSD. Dr. Magalhaes is also the immediate-past president of the Virginia Counselors Association.

Contact

External Counseling Services

In addition to the mental health counseling services provided on-campus, VCOM contracts with external mental health providers for student counseling services to assure that all VCOM students have readily accessible mental health services as preferred by the student.

  • By offering both on-campus and off-campus counseling services, students who are in their OMS 3 and OMS 4 years who are typically away from campus, have a variety of options for accessing mental health counseling services due to the multiple modalities of services offered.  If OMS 3 and OMS 4 students prefer to seek counseling services outside of these VCOM provided resources, they may contact VCOM’s Mental Health Counselor who can assist them in identifying a counselor in their area or the clinical site coordinator at their core rotation site who can provide information on local counseling services.
  • Students may use mental health services outside of these agencies at their own expense.

Counseling is confidential between the student and counselors of these agencies. Only in cases where the student is required by the Promotion Board, Professional and Ethics Standards Board, or Campus Dean to seek counseling for the purpose of student safety or patient safety is communication required between the counselor and VCOM administration.

Virginia - New River Valley Community Services

For VCOM–Virginia students, VCOM has contracted with New River Valley Community Services (NRVCS) as the local mental health care provider (contact information below). NRVCS will provide mental health services to VCOM students and their immediate families (e.g., spouse and children who reside with the student). Upon the request of a student and/or their immediate family, NRVCS will provide the necessary number of sessions. The fee for the first four visits, per issue, is covered by the agreement between VCOM and NRVCS and is free to students and their immediate families.  Visits beyond this will be at the expense of the student (or the student’s family member). Psychiatric medication consultations are part of the services available to students and will be scheduled following an initial assessment.

New River Valley Community Services (be sure to identify yourself as a VCOM student)

700 University City Boulevard
Blacksburg, VA 24060

To make a non-emergency appointment, call Jennifer Hopper at 540-961-8319.  If Ms. Hopper is on vacation call Joshia Hu at 540-961-8300 ext. 1169.  You can request an in-person or telehealth appointment.
For 24-hour emergency care, call NRVCS ACCESS: 540-961-8400

LiveHealth

All students, OMS 1 – OMS 4, who have VCOM health insurance, have access to LiveHealth Online where they can access psychology, psychiatry, and general medical appointments via video appointment.  There is no out-of-pocket cost for students who are covered, and services are available to family members for a fee.  Students  who are eligible can schedule an appointment by registering at www.LiveHealthOnline.com or by calling 1-888-548-3432 (24/7 line).  Students can also download the Sydney Health app or LiveHealth app from the app store.

 

TimelyCare

For OMS 3 and OMS 4 students who do not have VCOM health insurance, VCOM has contracted with TimelyCare, a virtual health and well-being platform available 24/7.  Students can schedule up to 12 mental health counseling visits per year at no out-of-pocket cost.  Students can also access TalkNow, a 24/7 on-demand emotional support service to talk about anything, including anxiety, relationships, depression, and school-related stressors.  Psychiatry services are provided through referrals through your VCOM Mental Health Counselor.  TimelyCare also provides health coaching, and multiple self-care tools and resources, such as meditation and yoga sessions, helpful videos, and short articles from experts.  Students who are eligible can go to www.timelycare.com/VCOM or download the TimelyCare app to access care.

 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text 741741 to talk with a Crisis Counselor. For additional resources regarding suicide prevention, please visit: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Dr. Natalie Fadel

Dr. Natalie Fadel is a clinical faculty member who specializes in behavioral medicine. She provides academic and student counseling at the VCOM-Carolinas Campus, lectures on various topics in psychiatry and ethics, and serves as the humanistic expert for the Standardized Patient program. She is a Clinical Psychologist and licensed to practice in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Illinois. Dr. Fadel received her Masters and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, and graduated from the University of Michigan with an undergraduate degree in Psychology. The focus of Dr. Fadel’s clinical work has included individual and group therapy for individuals dealing with acute mood disorders, addiction, eating disorders, anxiety, and PTSD. She serves as the faculty champion for the Mental Health Awareness Task Force committee on the Carolinas campus.

Contact

External Counseling Services

In addition to the mental health counseling services provided on-campus, VCOM contracts with external mental health providers for student counseling services to assure that all VCOM students have readily accessible mental health services as preferred by the student.

  • By offering both on-campus and off-campus counseling services, students who are in their OMS 3 and OMS 4 years who are typically away from campus, have a variety of options for accessing mental health counseling services due to the multiple modalities of services offered.  If OMS 3 and OMS 4 students prefer to seek counseling services outside of these VCOM provided resources, they may contact VCOM’s Mental Health Counselor who can assist them in identifying a counselor in their area or the clinical site coordinator at their core rotation site who can provide information on local counseling services.
  • Students may use mental health services outside of these agencies at their own expense.

Counseling is confidential between the student and counselors of these agencies. Only in cases where the student is required by the Promotion Board, Professional and Ethics Standards Board, or Campus Dean to seek counseling for the purpose of student safety or patient safety is communication required between the counselor and VCOM administration.

Carolinas - Spartanburg Area Mental Health Center

For VCOM–Carolinas students, VCOM has contracted with Spartanburg Area Mental Health Center as the local mental health care provider (contact information below). Spartanburg Area Mental Health Center will provide mental health services to VCOM students and their immediate families (e.g., spouse and children who reside with the student). Upon the request of a student and/or their immediate family, Spartanburg Area Mental Health Center will provide the necessary number of sessions. The fee for the first four visits, per issue, is covered by the agreement between VCOM and Spartanburg Area Mental Health Center and is free to students and their immediate families.  Visits beyond this will be at the expense of the student (or the student’s family member). Psychiatric medication consultations are part of the services available to students and will be scheduled following an initial assessment.

Spartanburg Area Mental Health Center (be sure to identify yourself as a VCOM student and ask for Annette when scheduling an appointment)

250 Dewey Avenue
Spartanburg, SC 29303

To make a non-emergency appointment, call: 864-585‐0366
For 24 hour emergency care, call: 864-585‐0366 or 1‐800‐277‐1366

LiveHealth

All students, OMS 1 – OMS 4, who have VCOM health insurance, have access to LiveHealth Online where they can access psychology, psychiatry, and general medical appointments via video appointment.  There is no out-of-pocket cost for students who are covered, and services are available to family members for a fee.  Students  who are eligible can schedule an appointment by registering at www.LiveHealthOnline.com or by calling 1-888-548-3432 (24/7 line).  Students can also download the Sydney Health app or LiveHealth app from the app store.

 

TimelyCare

For OMS 3 and OMS 4 students who do not have VCOM health insurance, VCOM has contracted with TimelyCare, a virtual health and well-being platform available 24/7.  Students can schedule up to 12 mental health counseling visits per year at no out-of-pocket cost.  Students can also access TalkNow, a 24/7 on-demand emotional support service to talk about anything, including anxiety, relationships, depression, and school-related stressors.  Psychiatry services are provided through referrals through your VCOM Mental Health Counselor.  TimelyCare also provides health coaching, and multiple self-care tools and resources, such as meditation and yoga sessions, helpful videos, and short articles from experts.  Students who are eligible can go to www.timelycare.com/VCOM or download the TimelyCare app to access care.

  

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text 741741 to talk with a Crisis Counselor. For additional resources regarding suicide prevention, please visit: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Dr. Mary Ann Taylor

Dr. Mary Ann Taylor is a clinical faculty member who specializes in behavioral medicine. She provides academic and student counseling at the VCOM-Auburn campus, lectures on various topics in professionalism, ethics, and psychiatry and serves as the humanistic expert for the Standardized Patient program. Dr. Taylor holds a PhD in Educational Psychology and a BS in Education from Auburn University and an MS in Counseling and Human Development from Troy University. She has over 25 years in higher education with a focus in teaching, learning, counseling, and evaluation. She has worked in private practice counseling and her areas of interest are motivation and learning in adult student populations.

Contact

External Counseling Services

In addition to the mental health counseling services provided on-campus, VCOM contracts with external mental health providers for student counseling services to assure that all VCOM students have readily accessible mental health services as preferred by the student.

  • By offering both on-campus and off-campus counseling services, students who are in their OMS 3 and OMS 4 years who are typically away from campus, have a variety of options for accessing mental health counseling services due to the multiple modalities of services offered.  If OMS 3 and OMS 4 students prefer to seek counseling services outside of these VCOM provided resources, they may contact VCOM’s Mental Health Counselor who can assist them in identifying a counselor in their area or the clinical site coordinator at their core rotation site who can provide information on local counseling services.
  • Students may use mental health services outside of these agencies at their own expense.

Counseling is confidential between the student and counselors of these agencies. Only in cases where the student is required by the Promotion Board, Professional and Ethics Standards Board, or Campus Dean to seek counseling for the purpose of student safety or patient safety is communication required between the counselor and VCOM administration.

Auburn - Auburn Psychology Group

For VCOM–Auburn students, VCOM has contracted with Auburn Psychology Group as the local mental health care provider (contact information below). Auburn Psychology Group will provide mental health services to VCOM students and their immediate families (e.g., spouse and children who reside with the student). Upon the request of a student and/or their immediate family, Auburn Psychology Group will provide the necessary number of sessions. The fee for the first four visits, per issue, is covered by the agreement between VCOM and Auburn Psychology Group and is free to students and their immediate families.  Visits beyond this will be at the expense of the student (or the student’s family member).

Auburn Psychology Group (be sure to identify yourself as a VCOM student)
861-D North Dean Road
Auburn, AL 36830

To make a non-emergency appointment, call: 334-887-4343
For 24 hour emergency care, call: 334-524-5858

LiveHealth

All students, OMS 1 – OMS 4, who have VCOM health insurance, have access to LiveHealth Online where they can access psychology, psychiatry, and general medical appointments via video appointment.  There is no out-of-pocket cost for students who are covered, and services are available to family members for a fee.  Students  who are eligible can schedule an appointment by registering at www.LiveHealthOnline.com or by calling 1-888-548-3432 (24/7 line).  Students can also download the Sydney Health app or LiveHealth app from the app store.

 

TimelyCare

For OMS 3 and OMS 4 students who do not have VCOM health insurance, VCOM has contracted with TimelyCare, a virtual health and well-being platform available 24/7.  Students can schedule up to 12 mental health counseling visits per year at no out-of-pocket cost.  Students can also access TalkNow, a 24/7 on-demand emotional support service to talk about anything, including anxiety, relationships, depression, and school-related stressors.  Psychiatry services are provided through referrals through your VCOM Mental Health Counselor.  TimelyCare also provides health coaching, and multiple self-care tools and resources, such as meditation and yoga sessions, helpful videos, and short articles from experts.  Students who are eligible can go to www.timelycare.com/VCOM or download the TimelyCare app to access care.

 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text 741741 to talk with a Crisis Counselor. For additional resources regarding suicide prevention, please visit: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Dr. John Webb

Dr. Webb is the Director of Student Counseling Services and a faculty member in the Neurobehavioral Sciences Department on the Louisiana Campus. He provides counseling services to students who struggle with anxiety, depression, relationships, or simply the significant adjustment that comes with attending medical school. He also lectures first and second-year students on various topics in mental health and ethics. Dr. Webb is licensed as an LPC-S and a PLMFT in the state of Louisiana. He received his PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and his Masters in Counseling Psychology from Louisiana State University at Shreveport. Areas of expertise include individual, couple, family, and group therapy modalities for a variety of situations including grief, anger management, substance abuse, parent-child relationships, identity development, and others.

Contact

External Counseling Services

In addition to the mental health counseling services provided on-campus, VCOM contracts with external mental health providers for student counseling services to assure that all VCOM students have readily accessible mental health services as preferred by the student.

  • By offering both on-campus and off-campus counseling services, students who are in their OMS 3 and OMS 4 years who are typically away from campus, have a variety of options for accessing mental health counseling services due to the multiple modalities of services offered.  If OMS 3 and OMS 4 students prefer to seek counseling services outside of these VCOM provided resources, they may contact VCOM’s Mental Health Counselor who can assist them in identifying a counselor in their area or the clinical site coordinator at their core rotation site who can provide information on local counseling services.
  • Students may use mental health services outside of these agencies at their own expense.

Counseling is confidential between the student and counselors of these agencies. Only in cases where the student is required by the Promotion Board, Professional and Ethics Standards Board, or Campus Dean to seek counseling for the purpose of student safety or patient safety is communication required between the counselor and VCOM administration.

Louisiana – Family Solutions Counseling Center

For VCOM–Louisiana students, VCOM has contracted with Family Solutions as the local mental health care provider (contact information below). The Family Solutions Counseling Center will provide mental health services to VCOM students and their immediate families (e.g., spouse and children who reside with the student). Upon the request of a student and/or their immediate family, Family Solutions will provide the necessary number of sessions. The fee for the first four visits, per issue, is covered by the agreement between VCOM and Family Solutions and is free to students and their immediate families.  Visits beyond this will be at the expense of the student (or the student’s family member).  Family Solutions has two offices (one in Monroe and one in West Monroe) that can be utilized by VCOM students.

Family Solutions Counseling Center (be sure to identify yourself as a VCOM student)
1105 Hudson Lane
Monroe, Louisiana 71201
Non-Emergency Appointment: 318-322-6500

OR

Family Solutions Counseling Center (be sure to identify yourself as a VCOM student)
1401 N. 7th Street, Suite B
West Monroe, Louisiana 71291
Non-Emergency Appointment: 318-503-8300

For 24-hour emergency care, call: 318-460-0800

LiveHealth

All students, OMS 1 – OMS 4, who have VCOM health insurance, have access to LiveHealth Online where they can access psychology, psychiatry, and general medical appointments via video appointment.  There is no out-of-pocket cost for students who are covered, and services are available to family members for a fee.  Students  who are eligible can schedule an appointment by registering at www.LiveHealthOnline.com or by calling 1-888-548-3432 (24/7 line).  Students can also download the Sydney Health app or LiveHealth app from the app store.

 

TimelyCare

For OMS 3 and OMS 4 students who do not have VCOM health insurance, VCOM has contracted with TimelyCare, a virtual health and well-being platform available 24/7.  Students can schedule up to 12 mental health counseling visits per year at no out-of-pocket cost.  Students can also access TalkNow, a 24/7 on-demand emotional support service to talk about anything, including anxiety, relationships, depression, and school-related stressors.  Psychiatry services are provided through referrals through your VCOM Mental Health Counselor.  TimelyCare also provides health coaching, and multiple self-care tools and resources, such as meditation and yoga sessions, helpful videos, and short articles from experts.  Students who are eligible can go to www.timelycare.com/VCOM or download the TimelyCare app to access care.

 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text 741741 to talk with a Crisis Counselor. For additional resources regarding suicide prevention, please visit: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org