At a school like Johns Hopkins, where the students and the faculty share an S&M relationship, it may come as some surprise that there are counseling services at all. Indeed, the existence of these services seemingly runs contrary to the pervasive perception of Hopkins as an unfeeling machine. But believe it or not, Ripley, they do exist. There are chiefly two counseling services offered at Hopkins: the cleverly named "Counseling Center," and A Place to Talk (APTT). These two groups are somewhat similar, but have some important differences.
A Place to Talk is a student-run organization is a peer listening group. Open Sunday through Thursday from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., APTT, as it is colloquially known, is located on the ground level of AMR I. Hopkins students are invited to stop by and talk about anything they want - whether it is something trivial or pressing. According to one of APTT's peer counselors, the group's primary function is, "to provide support for the student body."
Some may be apprehensive about talking to their own peers. Fear not, however. APTT's peer leaders all undergo a semester's worth of training before they engage in any counseling. Peer leaders are suited to ease troubled students' minds, or direct them to those who can. Because the group is mostly student-run, students with more serious counseling needs may be referred to the Counseling Center. Apart from the peer leaders' competency, the advantage of APTT is that you come in contact with students just like yourselves who, unlike common belief, are compassionate and genuinely sympathetic to your everyday troubles. APTT can be a very comforting resource for many Hopkins students.
Even if you don't have anything more on your plate than good old-fashioned stress, APTT is a wonderfully relaxing place to go take a breather. In the glow of the Christmas lights that adorn the windows of APTT's tiny nook in the ground floor of AMR I, overly orgo-ed students can wander in and grab a Blow Pop. Sugar, not drugs, kids, is the answer.
And to further relive the blissful innocence of childhood and forget about that calc exam you thought you just blew (with the curve, it'll all be okay, really), APTT is stocked with creative outlets like Twister, Jenga, Connect Four, Uno, bubbles, coloring books, crayons, markers and the ever addicting, ever infuriating (in a good way) game called Set. Be careful with that one - I have often found my roommate motionless for hours in front of a game of Set, mumbling about red striped diamonds and empty purple ovals, wearing nothing but a towel. It's much safer to play Set at APTT, believe me.
Rest assured, APTT is no mindless cult. It's supervised by Clare King, a graduate of Duke University and staff member of the Counseling Center at Hopkins. She partakes in the actual training of potential peer leaders, and also serves as the group's professional consultant. In addition, she consults the Sexual Assault Response Unit (SARU), which is an outgrowth of APTT (look below for contact information).
The Counseling Center is another option for students. Previously located in the now extinct Merryman Hall, the Counseling Center has been relocated to the third floor of Garland Hall, adjacent to the Career Development Center and across from Academic Advising. Its convenient location near two of the most stress-inducing departments in the univsersity, if anything, is testament to the administration's hidden heart of gold.
It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers numerous services: individual, couple and group counseling for emotional problems; consultation for student life issues; support groups for various disorders and social issues; referral to third parties when necessary; and career decision-making advice. After leaving the inevitably nerve-wracking experience of searching for a job next door at the Career Development Center, this last service offered by the Counseling Center will come in handy to many a graduating senior.
The advantage to the Counseling Center is that it is open for more hours during the week, and staffed with well-qualified people with extensive experience in dealing with more difficult problems. Emergency crisis intervention services are also offered at night on weekends and during university breaks, and professional staff members are always on duty for immediate assistance. Academic degrees aside, they are compassionate and easy to talk to, something that may come as a welcome relief in a school of unsocialites.
Some students may be reluctant to avail themselves of the services offered by the Counseling Center and APTT - often a student will treat the suggestion of visiting the Center skeptically. But those who visit usually change their minds. After all, who wouldn't be bought over by Blowpops and bubbles?
Students can make appointments for counseling services by coming to the Counseling Center or by phoning 410-516-8278. Visit http://www.jhu.edu/ccenter/ for more information.
Students who wish to talk to APTT can call them at 410-516-8001. Students who wish to learn how to become a peer leader, visit http://www.jhu.edu/aptt/home.html.
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