GSOE has announced that Assistant Professor and licensed Clinical Psychologist Katherine Stavropoulos will be holding weekly “GSOE Virtual Student Support Hours." The virtual hours, which will be confidential and held via Zoom, are intended to provide a safe space for all GSOE students who may be struggling, or just want to talk, during this time. 

GSOE Virtual Student Support Hours
Every Tuesday from 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. 
 

Zoom information has been sent in the weekly newsletter, GSOE Connector. If you would like request a time other than those designated, you can email Katherine Stavropoulos:
katherine.stavropoulos@ucr.edu

Read our Q&A with Dr. Stavropoulos to learn more.

Tell us about the GSOE Virtual Student Support Hours, and why you wanted to offer this to students? This truly is a unique and stressful time for all of us, particularly our students. I wanted to offer a safe place for all GSOE students (graduate, teacher education, and undergraduates) to speak with me about struggles, worries, or problems they are facing during this unprecedented time. In addition to being an assistant professor in GSOE, I am also a clinical psychologist. Although these virtual hours are not designed to take the place of regular meetings with a therapist, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional, I think it is important for students to have multiple pathways and opportunities to obtain support. I am hopeful that these virtual hours can provide support and open lines of communication during this time. 

When will the hours be held, and how can students participate? Do they need to make an appointment? Virtual student support hours will be held every Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Students do not need to make an appointment, and will be seen on a first-come first-serve basis. I have set up a “waiting room” in Zoom, so that only one student may meet with me at a time. Other students who call will be placed in the “waiting room” until I am available. The Zoom link has been emailed to all GSOE students from Interim Dean Louie Rodriguez.

What if students aren’t available during the set time, but still would like to speak with you? I am happy to set up a time to meet with students outside of the scheduled hours. Please send me an email and we can schedule a meeting. 

What are some examples of the topics and issues students can speak to you about?Students can speak with me about anything and everything during these hours! Some examples include, but are not limited to: Wanting a confidential environment to talk about their worries and concerns during this time, asking for advice about how to communicate with a professor if they are struggling in class, or if someone wants help troubleshooting a problem they are experiencing. 

Will these discussions be kept confidential? Yes, all conversations with students are confidential unless there is danger to self or others (in which case crisis services will be contacted). These exceptions to confidentiality will be disclosed to students at the outset of all calls/video chats. 

What if someone needs more in-depth psychological services or is experiencing a mental health crisis? If a student is experiencing a crisis, they will be referred to the emergency services on campus (e.g. case managers, Counseling Center, or UCPD in the case of imminent danger to self or others). If a student needs ongoing services (e.g. therapy), they will be referred to the UCR Counseling Center.

This service is not intended to replace ongoing mental health treatment or to provide crisis counselling. Rather, it is designed to be an open and comfortable forum for students to reach out. If a student is experiencing a mental health crisis or needs more in-depth services, they will be referred to other UCR services. I am happy to help students navigate the process of getting an appointment with these services, and/or can accompany them in case of emergency. 

GSOE Virtual Student Support Hours
Every Tuesday, 11am-1pm

For the Zoom link, or if you would like request a time other than those designated, you can email Katherine Stavropoulos:
katherine.stavropoulos@ucr.edu