USD's Counseling and School Psychological Services Center Celebrates 1,000 Clients
In 2019, the center made the transition to a fully integrated electronic health record system, coupled with an upgraded video platform. These advancements have significantly enhanced the center’s ability to train future mental health professionals and provide high-quality services to clients in the on-campus training clinic, located in the Delzell Education Center.
Since implementing these improvements, the CSPSC has provided mental health counseling services to more than 1,000 individuals and completed over 70 psychological and educational assessments for K-12 students, college students and community members.
"I’m so incredibly proud of the high-quality mental health services our students provide to the USD community,” said Tracie Ritz, Ph.D., clinical experiences coordinator and director of the CSPSC. “Consistently strong client evaluations affirm that we’re making a meaningful difference in the lives of USD students.”
During this time, students in the school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, and school psychology programs have played a vital role in meeting the assessment and mental health needs of the community.
On average, each client receives approximately five counseling sessions, resulting in more than 5,000 hours of counseling services delivered at no cost to clients. Given that counseling services in community agencies average approximately $130 per hour, the counseling students have provided an estimated $650,000 in free mental health services to USD students and members of the Vermillion community since 2019.
This is in addition to the highly discounted assessments, diagnostics and interventions for disorders common in school aged youth—including Autism Spectrum Disorder, learning disorders, ADHD and other mental health concerns—completed by school psychology students.
“This hands-on clinical training, combined with direct supervision from our core faculty using our video technology, distinguishes our students as they move into internships and professional practice,” said Ritz. “Employers recognize the exceptional competence, confidence and preparedness our graduates bring to their work.”
Beyond the substantial financial value of these services, the CSPCS serves as an essential training environment where future counselors and psychologists develop the skills needed to address the growing mental health and assessment needs of schools, agencies and communities throughout the region.
The CSPCS is one of several resources available to USD students to promote mental health, wellness and resiliency. More information about mental health services is available on the USD website.
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