Counseling Services

We Are Here for You

Counseling Services provides free support to Bowie State students in their personal and psychosocial growth. The Center supports the institutional mission to graduate individuals who are exemplary leaders in their respective disciplines. Moreover, the Center assists the institution in its mission to develop critical thinkers and individuals with a commitment to the ethical good of mankind. Specifically, Counseling Services assists the institution in its mission by providing personal, social, career, and academic counseling.

Counseling Services also seeks to actively participate in the fulfillment of institutional goals. This task is accomplished by enhancing and strengthening the quality of the Four-Year-Experience Counseling Program. As part of the program, counselors teach sections of the Freshman Seminar course, and conduct psychosocial interviews to aid in the retention of students in each classification.

The Center also offers a student development workshop series. The series provides a forum for creative expression, artistic performance, and educational programs. The philosophy of the Center derives from the belief that every student has basic and unique needs which must be fulfilled in order to function successfully in a learning environment.

Contacting Counseling Services for Mental Wellness

Counseling Services may be reached from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on 301-860-4169 or by email at counselingservices@bowiestate.edu. Appointments can be scheduled for in-person, telephone or video sessions.

For after-hours crises regardless of the state in which you are located, you may call your local emergency services or speak with a counselor on 301-860-4164 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 a.m. Monday through Thursday and from 5:30 p.m. on Friday evening until 8 a.m. on Monday morning.

Eligibility for Distance Counseling Services 

1. Students must be physically present in the state of Maryland during the distance counseling appointment. Students are required to verify identity and location at sessions. (Out-of-state students may receive a consultation and/or be referred to the Case Manager for local resources).

2. Students must meet the usual eligibility criteria for receiving counseling services such as being a currently enrolled student.

3. Counseling exclusions

   a. Recent suicide attempts, psychiatric hospitalization, or psychotic episode.

   b. Moderate to severe major depression or bipolar disorder symptoms

   c. Moderate to severe alcohol or drug abuse

   d. Severe eating disorders

   e. Repeated acute crisis occurring once a month or more frequently

   f. (Students in these categories should email counselingservices@bowiestate.edu. The Case Manager will provide a referral to community treatment providers.

Procedures

1. Contact Counseling Services to schedule an appointment time.

2. Prior to the initial session, ccess will be provided to intake forms that should be completed prior to the initial session.

3. For telephone sessions, your counselor will call you at the scheduled appointment time.

4. For video sessions, please download MicroSoft Teams. A link will be sent to you prior to your scheduled appointment time to join the session.

5. Please conduct the sessions in a private location where others cannot hear you.

6. Do not record any sessions.

7. Password protect your computer, tablet, phone, and any other device with a password that is unique.

8. Do not have any software remember your password. Sign in every time.

9. Do not share your passwords with anyone.

10. If you wish to avoid others knowing that you are receiving counseling services, clear your browser’s browsing history on your phone, and list your counselor by a name rather than by title.

11. Have all of your devices set to time out requiring you to sign back in after a set idle time.

12. Use a firewall and antivirus program.

a. Use your own administrative ID and password (not the default) for your router or access point.

b. Choose a custom SSID name, not the default name.

13. Notify your counselor if you suspect any breach in your security.

 The staff of Counseling Services looks forward to the opportunity to serve you.

Martin Luther King Jr. Bldg. THIRD FLOOR

Main Office Phone: 301-860-4164

Counseling services include, but are not limited to:

• Personal counseling
• Social counseling
• Career counseling
• Academic counseling
• Psychiatry

Counseling methods used:

• Individual counseling
• Couples counseling
• Crisis Intervention

Student development tools:

• Paraprofessional training
• Practicum/intern training
• Advisor to student organizations
• Course instruction
• Topical workshops
• Support groups

Types of issues addressed during counseling:

• Stress and anxiety
• Alcohol and other substance abuse
• Academic difficulties
• Career exploration
• Health issues
• Values clarification
• Issues of sexuality
• Depression
• Coping with grief/loss

Instrumentation used to counsel:

• College Adjustment Scale
• Adult Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire
• Multidimensional Anxiety Questionnaire
• Multidimensional Self-Esteem Inventory
• State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory
• Tennessee Self-Concept Scale
• Self-Directed Search