Health and Counseling - Psychological Services Center

Confidential, free-of-charge counseling services are provided to students in Grenada, and the United Kingdom by qualified, experienced counseling personnel with backgrounds in psychology, counseling or psychiatry. Confidential referrals for counseling are provided, upon request, to clinical students at US affiliated hospitals.

Psychological Services Center program range from outreach and crisis consultation to confidential mental health intervention and treatment. The experienced staff can assist students in developing greater self-awareness, independence, and self direction in specific areas, such as:

  • Interpersonal relationships
  • self-esteem, growth and well-being
  • cultural differences /gender issues/ sexuality
  • alcohol /drug/ eating concerns
  • adjusting to University life
  • anxiety/stress/ depression/ loss and grief
  • concentration difficulties

Psychological Services Center provides a variety of services to students, significant others, faculty, and staff of SGU, including:

  • Individual counseling and psychotherapy
  • group/relationship/family/couples counseling
  • performance enhancement counseling
  • psychiatric services
  • learning disability consultation
  • alcohol and drug programs
  • peer counseling program

Peer Counseling Program

The Peer Counseling Program is designed to extend counseling services to the SGU community. Peer Counselors are trained to confidentially assist other students with personal and academic problems. A Peer Counselor is trained to help classmates sort out feelings, and explore options and alternatives in particular situations, thus facilitating students in defining their own solutions.

Counseling FAQs

Please contact us with any further and more specific questions you may have.

Q: What are the most critical stress factors for students and others in the University setting?

A: Particularly stressful transitions are:

  • Arrival in Grenada-- adjustment to University life and the pressure of studies in a new environment. Attempting to concentrate on studies when there is bad news from home.
  • For medical students-- transition from Grenada to St Vincent (a period of considerable uncertainty as USMLE I and clinical placements loom) followed by transition from basic sciences to clinical training.
  • For medical students: clinical training-- adjustment to hospital life, and the new environment in the US and/or the UK


Q: If I approach the Psychological Services Center, can I be assured of complete confidentiality?

A: The Psychological Services Center is independent of the Office of the Dean of Students and all academic decision making. Counselors work under professional codes of confidentiality.

Q: Is there a charge for use of the Psychological Services Center?

A: Counseling is provided free-of-charge to users. There is currently no limit on usage of service and any entering student who has received supportive help or psychotherapy in the past is encouraged to make contact with the counseling professionals. Seeking help is seen as a sign of good mental health.

Q: How do I get in touch with a counselor?

A: You can contact counseling at three University locations: in Grenada and the UK (See Contact Us). Most unusually, counselors' home phone numbers are made available to you when you arrive on Campus.

Q: Who are the counselors and mental health professionals?

A: The service's personnel are professionally qualified and experienced in Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology, counseling, and service management who provide services at all three locations.

Q: What is the Peer Counselor Program?

A: The Peer Counseling program provides more choices for students who might prefer to share their problems with a fellow student. Six peer counselors (per class) are trained in basic counseling skills and provide their services voluntarily under the supervision of professional counselors. Details about all peer counselors are provided during Orientation.

Q: What other resources are available within the University to provide support for students?

A: There are many... the Footsteps Buddy System, Department of Educational Services, the Faculty Adviser program, whereby each student is allocated to a faculty member, Peer Counselors, AMSA, The Significant Others organization as well as other student groups, and, for help in many areas, the Office of the Dean of Students.

Do you have any more questions? If so...

Please eMail: Terry Ruthrauff, Psy.D. or Lorraine Steele