medical centre
Counselling Unit
Welcome
Staff
The Counselling Unit’s staff includes two licensed associate counselling psychologists and a psychiatrist. Occasionally, services are provided by supervised graduate student interns. All CU clinicians and staff are committed to the ethical guidelines of the Jamaica Psychological Society and the Medical Association of Jamaica. Clinicians, other staff, interns and student workers are all committed to confidentiality, social justice and diversity consciousness.
- Mr. Craig McNally
- Senior Counsellor, Licensed Associate Counselling Psychologist
- Mrs. Marlene Pottinger-Gyles
- Counsellor, Licensed Associate Counselling Psychologist
- Dr. Ganesh Shetty
- Psychiatrist
- Ms. Susan Deegan-Crawford
- Counselling Psychologist (Western Campus)
- Mrs. Yenola Beckford
- Administrative Support
Opening Hours
Psychological Services - Papine Campus
Psychiatric Services - Papine Campus
Psychological Services - Western Campus
Appointments & Emergencies
Students who wish to have a session with a psychologist or psychiatrist, are required to schedule an appointment.
Appointments may be made by visiting the Counselling Unit’s, located at the Papine and Western Campuses.
Appointments may also be made by calling the Unit at:
Tel: 970-5029 / Or via the mainlines, extensions: 2460, 2028, 2029 (Papine)
Email: counsellingunit@utech.edu.jm OR westerncounsellor@utech.edu.jm (for the Western Campus)
NOTE: An appointment cannot be made for another person, without their consent. You may however REFER someone to the Unit, or you can make an appointment to consult with a counsellor regarding concerns about another person.
You may also report an incident by way of submitting an Incident Report
See below how to refer someone to the Unit.
Psychological Emergencies
While an appointment system guides how counselling services are accessed, students are oftentimes seen as a psychological emergency. A psychological emergency is a non-medical, mental health situation in which an individual lacks insight, is exhibiting extreme emotional disturbance or behavioural distress, considering harm to self or others, disoriented or out of touch with reality, has a compromised ability to function, or is otherwise agitated and unable to be calmed.
ON CAMPUS (Papine & Western Campus):
If you are ON CAMPUS and have a psychological emergency, do one of the following:
During regular working hours visit the Unit or call 970-5029 / Or via the mainlines, extensions: 2460, 2028, 2029
If you are faced with a life threatening emergency, call (or visit at the Main Administrative building) the University’s Safety and Security Unit at 970-0201.
OFF CAMPUS (Papine & Western Campus)
If you are OFF CAMPUS and you have a life threatening emergency call 119, or visit the closest hospital Emergency Room.
After Office hours and Weekends (Papine & Western Campus)
If you are ON CAMPUS and faced with a psychological emergency, visit or call the University’s Medical Centre. Outside of opening hours, contact the University’s Safety and Security Unit at 970-0201, OR go to the Emergency Room at the closest hospital.
If you have a problem you would like to discuss with one of our staff members and it can wait until the next business day, call or visit the Counselling Unit located at the Medical Centre within the opening hours.
You can talk about anything
Our students’ social and familial, educational, health and mental history, all contribute to their college narrative. These lived experiences are what often prompt students to seek professional help, and may include any of the following issues:
- Personal Issues: stress, anxiety, depression, anger, loneliness, low self-esteem, grief
- Relationship Issues: romantic relationship difficulties, sexual concerns, roommate problems, family issues
- Developmental Issues: sense of identity, sexual orientation, adjustment to college, life transitions, cultural identity and adjustment
- Academic Concerns: performance anxiety, perfectionism, underachievement, procrastination, choice of major or career
Other Issues: effects of trauma, grief, sexual assault, substance abuse, body image, healthy lifestyle choices
Activities
In addition to individual psychotherapy cases, the Unit responds to issues and situations that threaten the the psycho-emotional wellbeing of the University community.
These disturbances may occur on a hall of residence, within a faculty/college among students or staff, and may include traumatic loss, or other interpersonal matters. The staff is also often invited to make life-skills presentations and give talks, and assist in coordinating activities within the wider objectives of the Department of Student Services.
Special Boarding
There is a growing number of commuting and off-campus students who are in a housing crisis. The academic and physiological integrity of these students are severely threatened.
These students often need a mid to long term housing solution. In partnership with the Accommodation Unit, the CU has two beds for students (1 male & 1 female)who need emergency, temporary housing.
After being assessed by a CU staff, students are asked to sign the Dorm Accommodation Agreement.
Grief Counselling Team
Western Campus
Students located at our Western Campus may also access counselling services. Ms. Susan Deegan-Crawford, Counselling Psychologist, is available for sessions on a Tuesday and Thursday, during the hours of 8am and 4pm. At this time, sessions are only being facilitated virtually via Zoom, telephone and WhatsApp, depending on the client’s preference and access.
Sessions may be scheduled via:
Email: westerncounsellor@utech.edu.jm OR susan.deegan@utech.edu.jm
Telephone: 876-940-2194 ext. 2728 OR 876-970-5029/5460
