Counseling Services is a health services office that aims to support students in achieving success in areas of academics and personal growth through short-term, outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment, educational presentations, and collaboration with other student support services at Mount St. Mary’s University. Counseling Services works to enable students to address behavioral and emotional concerns so they are able to take full advantage of the academic and social opportunities of their college experience. All support provided by Counseling Services is free of charge.
Treatment
Counseling Services offers a range of treatment options and resources for students, including:
- Short-term individual counseling*
- Group counseling offerings (vary by semester)
- Walk-in appointments
- Crisis response/intervention
- Educational programming
- Links to off-campus mental health and substance abuse treatment
*Remote support via phone or Zoom is also available at this time.
Getting Started
A student can get connected to a counselor for support by:
- Contacting a counselor directly by phone or email. Contact information below.
- Complete the Counseling Services Inquiry Form
Lower McGowan
Mon.–Fri. 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
In an Emergency
Call Public Safety at (301) 447–5911 and they will contact a counselor.
Crisis Support
If you or another student are experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency, please seek the following support:
- Come to Counseling Services during business hours for a walk-in appointment.
- Contact Residence Life or your RA.
- Contact Mount St. Mary’s University Public Safety at 301-447-5911 (available 24/7).
Off-Campus Hotlines
Suicide Prevention
- Frederick County, Md. Hotline: 301-662-2255
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 (Press “1” if a veteran in crisis)
- 2-1-1 Maryland: 211 or 1-866-411-6803
- Maryland Crisis Hotline: 1-800-422-0009
- Maryland Community Services locator: https://211md.org/
- Mental Health Association of Frederick County Guide to Mental Health and Community Support Services: www.fcmha.org/mhaguide
- Crisis Text Line: Text “START” to 741-741
- The Trevor Line (Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ Youth): 1-866-488-7386
Substance Abuse Treatment
- Treatment Referral Hotline: 1-800-662-4357
Sexual Assault/Dating Violence
- The Heartly House (Frederick): 301-662-8800
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
- National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: 1-800-331-9474
COVID-19 Response
Counseling Services seeks to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of our students. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Counseling Services has made the following changes:
- A new waiting room was created for Counseling Services. The waiting room will no longer be shared with Health Services.
- Counseling Services staff will wear masks and will keep physical distance from students on campus. Counseling Services staff will not make any physical contact with students.
- Individual counseling sessions will be limited to 45 minutes each. This will be done to give counselors time to wipe down surfaces in the office in between sessions.
- The Counseling Services waiting room will now have a phone. If a student arrives for an unscheduled walk-in appointment, the student should use the phone to call a counselor (ext. 5003).
Counseling Services requests that students respect the following office guidelines:
- Please do not come to Counseling Services appointments if you are sick or not feeling well.
- It is required that students wear masks while in the Counseling Services office.
- Please do not bring food or drink to your counseling appointment.
- Please respect physical boundaries while in Counseling Services as much as is reasonable.
Any questions or concerns about COVID-19 response can be sent to Gerald Rooth, Director of Counseling Services (rooth@msmary.edu).
For more information on the Mount's response to COVID-19, please visit our COVID-19 Info page.
Confidentiality
Counseling services abide by state laws and professional ethical standards in maintaining confidentiality. These standards prevent us from releasing information to anyone without the written consent of the student. Disclosure of information may be made if, in the professional judgment of the counselor, the student presents a danger to themselves or others or if the counselor has reasonable belief of abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult.
For Parents
We welcome your calls if you have a concern about your child, however, your child will have to contact us to initiate services.
Contact a Counselor
Gerald T. Rooth, M.S., L.C.P.C.
Director of Counseling Servicesrooth@msmary.edu | 301-447-5003
Elizabeth Kellett, M.S., L.G.P.C.
Assistant University Counselore.f.kellett@msmary.edu | 301-447-3429
Alesha Leonard, M.S., L.G.P.C.
Assistant University Counselora.r.leonard@msmary.edu | 301-447-5002