Counseling Center Paraprofessional Program

Counseling Center Paraprofessional Program Mission

In keeping with the Counseling Center mission, the training and outreach of the Counseling Center Paraprofessional program strives to incorporate a multicultural, developmental, and strengths-based approach to skill-based prevention and outreach programs offered.

About the Paraprofessional Program

Counseling Center Paraprofessionals (CCPs) are students from ALL departments on campus and with many different majors. They are students who want to make a difference in someone’s life while having a good learning experience.

The CCP program provides training in communication and helping skills with practical experience in providing developmental and preventive services to students. In addition to these skills, students gain knowledge in mental health concerns, cultural competence, program planning, practical applications for research, public speaking, organizational leadership, and more. These skills are beneficial for a wide variety of career and graduate school fields, including the helping professions, education, health promotion, community development, human resources, and many more.

The CCP Program provides a great experience; it received the 2013 University of Illinois Student Affairs Outstanding Program Award. For more information about the kinds of activities that CCPs participate in, check out links to the right.

CCP Activities and Involvement

The Counseling Center Paraprofessional Program combines on-going training and supervision with service-learning projects during the second and third semesters of the involvement. Paraprofessional help provide a variety of Outreach & Prevention Services as well as support a variety of Counseling Center operations. Here are a few examples of Paraprofessional activities & involvement opportunities. 

Tuesday @ 7 Workshops

Since 1979, The Tuesday @ 7 Workshops are presented by Counseling Center Paraprofessionals in order to provide information for the general student population. The topics cover a variety of topics including interpersonal, mental health, wellness, and academic success. Workshops are facilitated every Tuesday night at 7 pm, during the Fall and Spring semesters.

Workshops on Request

CCPs present single session workshops to student groups, classes, and living units. These Workshops on Request usually last one to two hours and cover topics such as: Time Management, Stress Management, Study Skills, Procrastination, Self-Confidence, Test Anxiety, Communication in Relationships, etc.

Counseling Center Outreach & Prevention Services

  • Alcohol and Other Drug Outreach/Prevention
  • Eating Disorders and Disturbances 
  • Integrative Health & Wellness
  • Technology-Based & Media Outreach
  • Outreach & Prevention Advisory
  • Suicide Prevention 
  • Trauma Outreach & Prevention Team

CCPs may work on various teams within the Counseling Center depending on agency needs. Additionally, CCPs help support Counseling Center and Program operations, including through Assessment & Evaluation, CCP Alumni Relations, CCP Recruitment, and CCP Steering Committee. 

Cultural Diversity Outreach Opportunities

The Counseling Center provides a variety of outreach and prevention support to specific student populations, working closely with the culture houses, resource centers, and academic programs. CCPs are involved with activities that promote identity exploration and cultural understanding. Some examples include:

 

  • Asian Pacific Roots
  • Sankofa-Black Student Outreach
  • International Student Outreach
  • Latinx Student Outreach
  • Queers & Allies Outreach

Activities might include presenting workshops on academic issues, wellness or mental healthissues, and special topics relevant to culturally diverse students; meeting with the coordinator; and attending events at the cultural houses. Regardless of team involvement, all CCPs gain awareness, experience, and cultural competencies skills to provide inclusive and culturally responsive outreach programming. 

Self-Initiated Projects

These are independent projects that the CCPs choose and create. SIP’s must be relevant to the Counseling Center Mission and result in a tangible product or service. They may also be individual projects that fit with one of their other project/service assignments. Some past projects have included developing a brochure for out-of-state transfer students; facilitating a coming out support group for LGBTQIA+ students; developing a support group for LGBTQIA+ students of color; preparing a multi-disciplinary show focused on AIDS  to promote awareness and raise money; work with “Locks for Love” to donate hair to cancer victims; create a workshop for students with hidden disabilities and chronic pain; develop a workshop on religious diversity on campus; etc.

Potential and Past Involvement

Depending on the needs of the Counseling Center, Paraprofessionals have also been involved in the Dennis H. May Conference on Diversity Issues and the Role of Counseling Centers, Counseling Center Advisory Committee, and Student Affairs or campus-wide collaborative initiatives. 

CCP Instructors

Rebecca Schlesinger, PhD - Clinical Specialist in Education / Program Coordinator

Dr. Schlesinger assumed the program coordinator responsibilities in January 2022 with the title Clinical Specialist in Education-Paraprofessional Program. Dr. Schlesinger has a wealth of experience as a counseling psychologist, including extensive outreach and prevention program creation and facilitation; from August 2018 to January 2022, they served as a Clinical Counselor at the Illinois Counseling Center and fulfilled many roles, including multiple years on the Outreach and Prevention Services Planning Committee. Dr. Schlesinger also brings an array of college teaching experience and is an alumna of the Paraprofessional Program.

Elise Lanker, MSW - CCP Program Co-Instructor

Elise Lanker has diverse professional experience as a social worker in the community and as a Clinical Counselor at the Illinois Counseling Center since August 2018. At the Counseling Center, she has extensive outreach and prevention experience, chaired the Multicultural Competency Committee, and has been involved with the CCP Program as a mentor, steering committee staff member, and supervises outreach. She is also an alumna of the Paraprofessional Program!

Course Breakdown

The CCP Program consists of a three semester sequence:

  • The first semester (spring) begins with PSYCH 496 (four credit hours). In this class, students will develop basic helping and facilitation skills, public speaking, and cultural competence along with other professional development to prepare to provide outreach and prevention services.
  • The second semester (fall of the subsequent year), continues with PSYCH 340 (four credit hours), where CCPs will apply what they learned in the first course. Under the supervision of Counseling Center staff, they participate in a variety of service related activities. These activities include:
    • Providing workshops on topics related to student life including academics, relationships, stress management, and mental health.
    • Facilitating discussion groups focusing on important social or mental health issues.
    • Engaging in and leading various outreach and prevention initiatives through the Counseling Center.
  • In the third semester, they continue to build upon projects and activities from the previous semester as well as undertake new ones.

Beyond the third semester:

Students who complete the program and still have a year of undergrad left can apply to be a Paid CCP for a fourth and fifth semester. These CCPs continue to develop their helping skills and will continue to provide outreach and prevention services for the Counseling Center as well as gain leadership opportunities within the CCP Program.

Our recruitment process for each class happens in the FALL semester only. Application materials will be available on this website under "Apply to be a CCP."