Consultation
From 1991 to 2009, George Mason University (GMU) doctoral students have carried out 154 consultation projects at 101 different agencies in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, and Washington, DC. Typically, students enroll in the Community Psychology theory and practicum courses (PSYC 840 and 841) during the second year. While learning about underserved populations, systems and preventive perspectives, and methods to develop and evaluate programs, the students develop a consultation contract with an area agency to provide indirect service to the populations the agency serves. The projects have included staff training, needs assessment, program development, program evaluation, workbooks, and advocacy. These projects have served thousands of local citizens of all ages. In addition, many of the students developed doctoral dissertations to study the populations that were the focus of their consultation projects.
2009 Sites and Interventions
All Dulles Area Muslim Society -- Needs assessment for couples
CrisisLink -- Developed an online evaluation form
Fairfax Youth Suicide and Depression Task Force -- Conference planning and presentation on depression awareness and screening programs in schools
GMU Counseling and Psychological Services -- Enhanced communication about outreach services
GMU Sexual Assault Services -- Needs assessment for staff
OAR of Fairfax County-- Shoplifting prevention program for juvenile offenders
2008 Sites and Interventions
American University Counseling Center -- Training manual for externs working with LGBT clients
Children's National Medical Center -- Needs assessment of volunteer services
District of Columbia Pediatric Palliative Care Collaboration -- Needs assessment and brochure of resources for families
District of Columbia VA Medical Center -- Workshop for staff working with seriously mentally ill veterans
Eating Disorders Coalition -- Survey of Congress
Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocate Association -- Manual for assisting children
GMU Career Services -- Website for Asian-American students' career development and family support
GMU Center for Teaching Excellence -- Needs assessment of graduate teaching assistants
GMU Counseling Center-- Needs assessment of the Peer Empowerment Program
GMU Office of International Services and Programs -- Brochure describing intimate partner violence and community resources
McLean Bible Church -- Website of information and resources for eating disorders treatment and support groups
OAR of Fairfax County-- Mentorship program for juvenile offenders
The Women's Center -- Evaluation of the divorce adjustment groups
2007 Sites and Interventions
Bureau of Prisons -- Fact sheet on substance abuse treatement evaluations and education of staff
Center for Multicultural Human Services -- Creation of database of client information for clinical and research purposes
Crisis Link -- Gathering volunteer feedback on organizational change
Critical Exposure -- Program evaluation
KIPP Academy Public Charter School -- Development of sex education curriculum
Loudoun County MH/MR/SAS -- Designed program evaluation of Prevention and Community Outreach after-school programs
2006 Sites and Interventions
Alexandria Mental Health Services Board -- Staff workshop on alternative approaches to the treatment of serious mental illness
Center for Multicultural Human Services -- Manual for spanish speaking students applying to college
GMU Center for Psychological Services -- Workshop on comprehensive assessments of clients
GMU Clinical Psychology Program -- Student needs assessment and report to faculty
GMU Counseling Center -- Strategic plan for increasing on-line presence
Mosaic Inc. -- Fact sheets on diagnoses and presentation to staff about their use
US Congress, Office of Tom Harkin -- Report on empirically based prevention programs for at-risk youth
Vesta -- Training manual for new staff
2005 Sites and Interventions
Alexandria Public Schools -- Psychoeducational materials for expectant mothers
Children's National Medical Center -- Psychoeducational materials on the effects of television on children's attention
GMU -- Undergraduate course on integrative mental health techniques
Northern Virginia Training Center -- Resource manual on emergency procedures and coping with stress for nursing staff
The Women's Center -- Rationale and Plan for evaluating psychotherapy services
2004 Sites and Interventions
Children’s National Medical Center -- Social skills psychoeducational group for children
Culpeper Schools -- Intervention for students, parents, and teachers to reduce peer rejection
Fairfax Adult Detention Center -- Mental health needs assessment of prisoners
India House of Worship -- Educational workshop and brochure about resources for Asian Indians mental health needs
Mautner Project -- Coping with cancer workshop for lesbian partners
Offender Aid and Restoration -- Staff workshop to enhance employees job satisfaction
2003 Sites and Interventions
ADAPT – Workbook and presentation for rehabilitation of brain-injured adults
Alexandria Community Mental Health Center – Resource manual for case managers
American University -- Mindfulness meditation group for college students
Catholic University -- Couples communication training for college students
Children’s National Medical Center – Psychoeducational support group for the parents of autistic children
Fairfax Adult Detention Center -- Program evaluation of support services for prisoners
Fairfax Juvenile Detention Center -- Parenting skills training for parents of juveniles
Keene Mill School -- Parenting skills training for student’s parents
Reston Children’s Center -- Resource manual for staff education and referral of distressed children
The Women’s Center – Psychoeducational support group for bereaved elderly
2002 Sites and Interventions
Catholic University -- Diversity awareness workshop for college students
GMU Center for Cognitive Development – Website of resources for parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
GMU Counseling Center – Helpline for college students
George Washington UniversityHospital – Screening measures for Temporal Lobectomy patients
My Sister’s Place – Developed resource education program for battered women
St. Matthew’s Church -- Grief support group for bereaved elderly
The Women’s Center -- Stress management workshops for adults
2001 Sites and Interventions
GMU Counseling Center -- Eating disorders treatment workshop for staff members
Georgetown University -- Stress management workshop for college students
George Washington University Counseling Center – Website for treatment of anxiety disorders
Jeb Stuart High School – Psychoeducational support group for adolescent girls
Kennedy-Krieger Institute – Treatment of abused children workshop for staff members
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services -- Program evaluation of adult services
The Women’s Center -- Workshop on coping with infidelity for women
Towson University -- Stress management workshop for college students
2000 Sites and Interventions
GMU Counseling Center -- Client intake training for staff members
GMU Nursing Program – Orientation and evaluation of nursing students service in Nicaragua
Georgetown University – Psychoeducational intervention to prevent eating disorders among college students
Layton Hall School -- Social skills group for students
Lock Haven University -- Violence prevention training for student teachers
Loudoun County Community Mental Health Center -- Life skills brochure for adolescents
Loudoun County Community Mental Health Center -- Marital skills brochure for couples
Notre Dame School – Psychoeducational support group for children of divorced parents