The Department of Orientation (Center of Counseling and Psychological Services) of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM) was accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services (IACS). It was recognized for its excellence in professional counseling in the areas of education and psychotherapy, as explained by the Department’s director, doctor Nidia S. López.

“Being accredited presents us with the opportunity to analyze what we are doing well and what we need to improve. We also hope that it will help to make us the primary unit of mental health services on campus,” mentioned López.

The accreditation process began in 2004 as an initiative by the Vice President of Academic Affairs and the President of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR). This initiative was proposed to obtain the necessary credentials for distinct departments, among them UPRM’s Department of Orientation.

López explained that representatives of the association visited UPRM in March of 2008, on this occasion various criteria were evaluated. Among these criteria were management of records/files, the number of professionals working in the department, confidentiality, and the quantity of services and installations. As a result of this evaluation, representatives of the IACS suggested the extension of group therapy services and that these services remain centralized in one building.

The Director assured us that the credentials received will convert UPRM, along with the Rio Piedras and Humacao campuses of the UPR, into the pioneers of the accreditation of counseling services, both public and private, in higher education, not only in Puerto Rico but in Latin America as well.

Orientation services are directed towards the UPRM population and consist of: psychotherapy, personal counseling, vocational counseling and educational counseling. IACS also evaluated standards such as: crisis intervention, counseling, department outreach, and assessment.

It’s the first time that members of the IACS visit the Island to evaluate this type of program. This organization, with its base in Virginia, has accredited university counseling centers in Australia and Canada as well.

UPRM will be included among 169 universities in the United States whose centers of counseling have also been accredited by IACS.

Vídeo

Part of the personnel that form the Department of Orientation.

Photographs by Manuel Díaz / UPRM Press