STUDENT SERVICES
MOTHER MARY OF GOOD COUNSEL
PASTORAL COUNSELING CENTER
Mother Mary of Good Counsel Baptiste, OSP, served as principal of Saint Frances Academy for 25 years and as the Superior General of the Oblate Sisters of Providence for 12 years. She had a quick wit and a delightful sense of humor. She was a very spiritual woman, always seeking more knowledge and understanding of her religion. Although she was a strict disciplinarian, she was loved and respected by all her scholars. The Administrative Team thought that it would be fitting to name the Counseling Center after someone who spent most of her life serving Saint Frances Academy.
WHAT IS COUNSELING
Counseling involves discussing personal, emotional, spiritual, and psychological issues that occur during life’s journey with the help of another person who can listen to you and help you understand your situation. Counselors are trained professionals who help clients handle their issues in a caring way by listening to, praying with, and supporting them. They do not give advice or solve your problems for you. Some problems cannot be solved, but you can learn to cope with or handle them. Counseling may be short term (a few sessions) or long term (one year or more) depending on the issues and goals of the client. Family Counseling, Group Counseling, and Support Groups are available year-round to students, families, and any employee of SFA. We also have masters level student social workers and counseling interns from accredited universities who are available to provide additional services.
SERVING SCHOLARS & FAMILIES
At orientation, scholars and parents at Saint Frances Academy are informed about the counseling program. Scholars, parents, and SFA staff may request counseling at any time. A teacher, administrator, or parent may also refer a scholar for counseling, but the decision to participate is that of the scholar unless there is an agreement between the family and the Saint Frances Academy administration. Scholars receive counseling during the school day may miss a class to participate in counseling, though every effort is made to schedule counseling during elective courses and for scholars to return to class as soon as possible.
A parent may be contacted by the counselor if:
The child is deemed a danger to himself/herself or a threat to someone else
The child requests a family session
Additional information is needed for assessment or additional services may be appropriate for the child
The MMGC Pastoral Counseling Center will also host events and drop-ins for scholars to explore various wellness programs and activities. This may include artistic expression, meditation, pet therapy, panel discussions, psycho-educational training, life skills, and opportunities to connect with local community organizations that offer services for adolescents and their families.
Student-athletes in any of the sports programs as well as students living in any of the residential housing can be referred by the coaches and/or residential staff, if they deem it necessary for the student-athletes to manage emotions, learn life/social skills, and/or work through personal challenges that are affecting the scholar’s academic or athletic performance. Based on the recommendations of the coaches, parents, academic teachers, SFA administration, SFA Discipline Committee, Student Success Center, The Academic Council, The School-Based Health Clinic, and/or the Director of Counseling, scholars may be referred for six weeks of individual counseling sessions, group counseling sessions to address emotional regulation (such as anger management), or any combination of both. It is important to remember that this is an invaluable supportive resource and is not intended as a punitive measure.
Referrals to community resources are also available for additional support through our partnerships with Sarah’s House PRP and Family and Children’s Services of Maryland. The counseling and social work services at Saint Frances Academy are available not only to the students but to their families as well.
HEALTH SERVICES WITH THE
COPPIN CLINIC AT SAINT FRANCES
The Clinic is a nurse-managed clinic located on the Saint Frances Academy campus that is a primary care facility operated by Coppin State University College of Health Professions Helene Fuld School of Nursing. The Center provides readily accessible healthcare to Saint Frances administration, faculty, scholars, staff, and residents of the community. Services of the Center emphasize health promotion and prevention of disease. The goal of the Center is to provide access while removing barriers to care for the purpose of optimal healthcare outcomes. Services provided include physicals, women’s health services, immunizations, and management of acute and/or chronic health problems. Services are provided by nurse practitioners, faculty, students of the Helene Fuld School of Nursing, and occasionally by a physician. All professional personnel are properly licensed by the State of Maryland. The clinic serves as a clinical placement for both graduate and undergraduate scholars.
Compliance with immunizations is required by Maryland state law and no scholar will be admitted to school without up-to-date immunization status. Immunizations are available in the health center.
Prior to engaging in sports, all student-athletes must have an annual sports physical. They may be completed at the health center or at the scholar’s doctor’s office, but a copy of the physical must be provided to the Health Center. No student-athlete will be allowed to compete without a clearance to play sports.
All insurance is accepted. If a student does not have medical insurance, the staff of the center will assist the student and parent to obtain health insurance. No student will ever be turned away because of lack of insurance.
AVAILABLE SERVICES
Immunizations
Physical Exams
Sport Physicals
Health Education
GYN Exams / Pap Smears
Management of Chronic Health Problems
Referrals for X-ray and Specialists (as needed)
Preventative Dental Care for Children Ages 9 Months to 3 Years (referrals for other dental needs)
For urgent questions or concerns when the Center is not open:
Call 410-528-8747 for an answering service that will connect you with the on-call Nurse Practitioner who will contact you as soon as they are able.