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New
Coordinator of Alcohol and Drug Programs On Campus
First class treatment for
students suffering from addiction is now available at the
ULM
Counseling
Center
. Denean Benard was recently hired as the Coordinator of Drug and Alcohol
Programs within the
ULM
Counseling
Center
. Originally from
Monroe
, Denean received her undergraduate degree from
ULM
in 1991 and her master’s degree in substance abuse counseling also from
ULM
in 1995.
After graduation, she
worked for seven years in
northern Louisiana, at an inpatient facility that specializes in substance abuse.
While working as a counselor in this facility, she received intense
training working with people of different ages and backgrounds, including
musicians, athletes, medical professionals, and business people. Denean
started at
ULM
on June 1. “I happily accepted this position because I knew there could
be a lot of opportunity to set up this program,” she said. “I am very
excited because I can be more proactive and work to prevent deadly
addictions.”
Denean has always wanted
to work in the addiction counseling field because she witnessed first hand
that families are usually afflicted by a loved one’s addiction.
Family members also need help. “Addiction is a family disease
because it transforms family dynamics,” she explains. Addiction
doesn’t just involve drugs and alcohol, it can also be gambling,
violence, eating, working, relationships, and even compulsive exercising.
In the upcoming fall
semester, Denean will begin making presentations about the dangers of
addiction to various groups on campus including classes and organizations.
She will also work closely with the coaches and athletic teams.
Once participants are identified, Denean will provide confidential
assessments for those students who are concerned about their high-risk
behaviors who desire to make a change.
At the completion of the assessment, the client will be referred to
private or group counseling provided free of charge by the
Counseling
Center
. Treatment plans are then established so the participants know the
duration of the counseling period. If more in-depth counseling is needed,
referrals are made to the appropriate state or private facilities
depending on the participant’s insurance and income.
The
Counseling
Center
also plans to offer students an opportunity to participate in group
counseling that focuses on the treatment of addictive disorders. “A
group setting is important because of different issues and personality
types; some people respond better if they have the support of a group,”
Denean said.
The
Counseling
Center
encourages families to participate, but every individual has the right to
confidentiality and privacy. “Our facility is located across campus,
which make the confidentiality aspect even better,” Denean said.
“If clients would like for someone to be informed of their
involvement, they would need to sign a release form in order for us to
confirm their participation. However,
what is discussed during the session will remain confidential.”
Treatment provided at the
Counseling
Center
is with trained and experienced professionals.
The services are confidential and free. A physician is also
available at the Infirmary located in the same building if other concerns
arise. The
Counseling
Center
has three full-time professional staff members and a part-time counselor
intern. Call 342-5220 for any information or to make an appointment.
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