Several academic departments at Southern Illinois University use the Clinical Center as a training site for graduate students in several psychology-related professions. These programs are Clinical Psychology, (including child, adolescent, adult, and couples), Educational Psychology & Special Education (including school, community, and marriage and family counseling), Social Work and Rehabilitation Counseling.  A variety of services are provided under the major categories of evaluation and treatment.

Evaluation Services

Clinical Center staff and graduate students under supervision are available to provide assessments of children and adults. These assessments are directed toward general psychological functioning, learning disabilities, attention-deficit disorders, neuropsychological functioning, and behavior disorders. Evaluations related to mental retardation, pervasive developmental disorder, child custody, disability determination or other cases where court testimony is anticipated are NOT provided. Court evaluations are provided that address the question of need of psychological services.

Treatment Services

Counseling services are available for individuals (both child and adult), couples, and families. Group counseling services are planned according to faculty expertise, clinician availability, and community interests. A general description of each counseling service is provided below. More specific information regarding group openings and group activities can be obtained by contacting the Clinical Center receptionist (618-453-2361).

1. Individual Counseling: Individual counseling services are available for adults and children and vary widely according to the presenting needs of the clients. Clients are assigned to counselors based on client needs and counselor expertise and availability.  The faculty from several departments supervises clinicians.
2. Couple and Family Counseling: This approach to counseling emphasizes working together with couples and families to achieve their common goals and aspirations. The couple and family counseling program is coordinated by Dr. Gail Mieling.
3. Group Therapy:  Groups are developed based on interest and currently include a parenting skills group, children’s problem solving and social skills groups, an alcohol/drug addiction education group and an adult child of an alcoholic (ACOA) group.
4. Social Work Services:  Social work services include intake interviews for those seeking individual, couple, or family therapy; counseling for individuals and groups; crises intervention; and referrals.
5. Parenting Services: Parenting interventions focus on building parenting skills, especially for parents with a difficult to manage child.
6. Crisis Counseling: Crises counseling is available from Clinical Center personnel until 30 minutes before the Clinical Center closes.  To obtain these services please call the receptionist (618-453-2361) who will contact the on-call worker.
7. Veteran Special Services:  The Clinical Center is the recipient of a congressionally directed grant to serve veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and their families.  The focus of these services is to provide individual, couples, family, and child therapy.  The services will be provided at no charge to the veteran or the family members.  In addition to serving our returning military heroes, graduate students obtaining their master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, and social work will be trained to better serve our veterans and their families.  Drs. Brenda Gilbert, Benjamin Rodriguez, Gail Mieling, and Mary Louise Cashel will be heavily involved in the development and supervision of the individual and couple/family services and Mr. Ken Culton will coordinate the specialized services for alcohol/drug abuse education.

Have Questions?

Please see our Psychological and Social Work Services Frequently Asked Questions.