Student Services
Mother Mary of Good Counsel Pastoral Counseling Center
Mother Mary of Good Counsel Baptiste, OSP, served as principal of St. 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 students. The Administrative Team thought that it would be fitting to name the counseling center after someone who spent most of her life serving St. 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 Students and Families
At orientation, students and parents at Saint Frances Academy are informed about the counseling program. Students, parents, and SFA staff may request counseling at any time. A teacher, administrator, or parent may also refer a student for counseling, but the decision to participate is that of the student unless an agreement between the family, student, and the Saint Frances Academy Administration. Students receive counseling during the school day and may miss a class to participate in counseling. Every effort is made to schedule counseling during elective courses and to be able to have the student return to class as soon as possible.
A parent may be contacted by a child’s counselor if:
- There is a threat that the child is a danger to him/herself or someone else
- The child requests a family session, or
- 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 students to explore various wellness programs and activities. This may include artistic expression, mindfulness/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.
Students athletes in any of the sports programs as well as students living in any of the residential programs 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 student 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, students may be referred for 6 weeks of individual counseling sessions, group counseling sessions to address Emotional Regulation (such as anger management, for example) 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 The Coppin Clinic at Saint Frances
The Coppin State University College of Health Professions Helene Fuld School of Nursing Coppin Clinic at St. Frances, a nurse-managed clinic located on St. Frances campus, is a primary care facility which is operated by the Helene Fuld School of Nursing. The Center provides readily accessible healthcare to St. Frances administration, faculty, students, staff and residents of the neighborhood. 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 with an end outcome on 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 and students of the Helene Fuld School of Nursing, and in some instances, 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 students.
Compliance with immunizations is required by Maryland state law and no student will be admitted to school without up to date immunization status. Immunizations are available in the health center.
Prior to engaging in sports, all students must have a sports physical which is good for one year. They may be completed at the health center or at the student’s doctors, but a copy of the physical must be provided to the Health Center. No student 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.
Services Provided
- 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 9 months to 3 years old (referrals for other dental need)
All insurance is accepted. No insurance? – we will help you get insurance or use a sliding scale fee system as applicable. No student will ever be turned away because of inability to pay or lack of insurance.
For urgent Questions/Concerns when the center is not open:
Call 410-528-8747 for an Answering Service which will take your information and convey it to the on call Nurse Practitioner who will contact you as soon as they are able.