LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - The Lock Haven University Counseling Service has been awarded accreditation by the International Association of Counseling Services (IACS), an organization representing counseling agencies in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

IACS was established in 1972 to encourage and aid counseling agencies to meet high professional standards through peer evaluation and to inform the public about counseling services that are competent and reliable. The LHU Counseling Service was evaluated against IACS’s high standards of counseling practice and was found to demonstrate excellence in the professional services offered to students.

The LHU Counseling Service is an integral part of the Department of Academic Development and Counseling (ADAC) and provides consultation, psychological assistance (psychological testing, diagnostics and treatment) and counseling to students with personal, psychological, emotional or academic adjustment issues. Consultation and education regarding mental health topics and issues affecting LHU students is also available to faculty and staff.

Dr. Tom Ormond, dean of the College of Education and Human Services of LHU, noted that “national accreditation in any discipline is an indicator that a program has undergone rigorous critique by professionals in the field and so has demonstrated that it meets or exceeds all stated accreditation guidelines.” He added, “The Counseling Service program at LHU did just that and received ‘full accreditation’ after only one review. LHU is proud of the program and congratulates the faculty and staff for its accomplishment.”

Although accreditation specifically attests to the work of the Counseling Service, it also reflects the University’s commitment to student well-being through support of the Counseling Service. Dr. Dan Tess, director of the Counseling Service, praised the support of faculty and administration in the Counseling Service’s effort to attain accreditation and recognized various people whose work was critical to achieving full accreditation. Tess recognized Tom Ormond (dean of Education & Human Services), Tara Fulton (dean of Library & Information Services), Roger Johnson (former provost) and Dave Proctor (director of Facilities Planning) and his area.

The Lock Haven University Counseling Service is directed by Dr. Dan Tess (clinical psychologist, professor in ADAC). The other members of the LHU Counseling Service are: Professor Carla Langdon (licensed professional counselor, assistant professor in ADAC); Dr. Robert Franz (clinical psychologist, assistant professor in ADAC); Heather Fowler (licensed professional counselor, instructor in ADAC); and Susan Birdsey (secretary, ADAC). In addition, Douglas Posey (director of the EOP/Act 101 Program, instructor in ADAC), Tulare Park (licensed social worker, EOP/Act 101 counselor, instructor in ADAC), and Dr. Clay Kleckley (professor, ADAC, Clearfield Campus) contribute to the LHU Counseling Service through the provision of services to students and consultation to Counseling Service faculty.