Student Counseling Center
Feeling stressed, anxious or depressed?
It's okay to ask for help!
Counseling & Case Management is available on all five campuses.
Call to schedule an appointment with one of our talented counselors now.
Bilingual counselors are available and we offer a variety of support groups to meet
students needs.
Phone: 561-868-3980 | Email: studentcounselingcenter@palmbeachstate.edu
Social Media: Facebook | Instagram
After hours: Call 2-1-1 or South County Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team at 877-858-7474
Services
Student Counseling
The Student Counseling Center provides free and confidential mental health counseling to all PBSC students currently registered for classes. We offer individual counseling, support groups, psychoeducation, and community resources.
Case Management (PERC)
Need help with linkage to community resources? Assistance with SNAP registration? We can help! All services are confidential and at no cost to any student currently registered for classes.
Foster Care Support
Are you a Foster Care Student attending PBSC on a DCF waiver? The Student Counseling Center is your hub for support and guidance. We are here to assist and support you so your college experience is positive and successful.
Counseling Groups for Students
This group will assist you in understanding and practicing body acceptance, self-compassion,
mindful exercise, and intuitive eating to improve your relationship with food and
your bodies. Students will explore the cultural, environmental, and societal reasons
that may lead to body dissatisfaction while learning to live a more fulling life.
Facilitators: Vanessa and Gina
Schedule: Mondays from 3:30 - 4:30pm | Register Now
Many students are struggling with housing and food insecurities as well as identifying
helpful resources within our community. Join us to explore different available resources
within our Palm Beach State College and Palm Beach County communities.
Facilitators: Maya and Evelyn
Schedule: Mondays from 11am - noon | Register Now
Are you a caregiver for an aging parent, ill relative, or someone else? Sometimes
in our role of providing support for others we neglect to care for ourselves. Join
us in a safe space to gather support during this caregiving journey, identify resources,
and learn new skills and strategies.
Facilitators: Maya and Evelyn
Schedule: Thursdays from 11am - noon | Register Now
Tips, tools, and strategies: Overwhelmed by your emotions? Learn new tools, tricks,
resources, and coping skills that help you deal with life stressors and situations
that impact you emotionally.
Facilitators: Evelyn & Travis
Schedule: Tuesdays from 11am - noon | Register Now
The lives we lead can be viewed as a story in which we can learn how self-perception
shapes our identity and outside influences. Join us in this journey of self-discovery
as we share techniques such as journaling, and utilizing interactive writing skills
that guide you as the narrator of your own story. You do not have to be an expert
writer to participate in this group.
Facilitators: Travis & Elijah
Schedule: Fridays from 11am - noon | Register Now
Experiential Group
Do you become overwhelmed or stressed? Learn mindfulness skills, how to let go of judgement, while practicing "being" in the present moment and quieting your mind. These skills can help students regulate emotions, respond rather than react to situations, and manage stress, anxiety, and depression.
Facilitators: Elijah and Vanessa
Schedule: Thursdays from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Register Now
Resilience in Recovery will assist students in understanding how to maintain a sober
lifestyle. Students will explore their substance use triggers, relationship patterns,
and life events that keep them stuck in a cycle of use. Students will develop skills
such as acceptance, values clarification, and self-compassion to help them find joy
and resilience during recovery.
Facilitators: Gina and Maya
Schedule: Tuesdays from 2 - 3pm | SCA 103 on the Lake Worth campus
Registration is required. Reserve your spot by calling 561-868-3980.
Meet the Staff
Robin Russo, LCSW
Director of Student Well Being
Robin has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker within the State of Florida for since 2000. She has been a qualified supervisor for both student interns and post graduate interns seeking full licensure within the state of Florida for almost as long. Over the years Robin has acted in various professional capacities including board membership of the national organization SHARE, Pregnancy and Infant Loss; Florida State Representative of the National Perinatal Social Worker Association; member of the Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Board of Palm Beach County as well as the Child Fatality Review Board of Palm Beach County.
Robin has advanced training and or certification in such modalities as EMDR, TIR, DBT, Hypnotherapy, and Clinical Sexology. She has acted in a Clinical Director role in Substance Abuse Treatment facilities and as Program Coordinator for a specialized programming in the Hospice setting. Robin brings a unique background to mental health care in that she also has a degree in Physical Education/Exercise Science and believes the strong connection between mind and body in maintaining optimal health. She maintains a small private practice focused on women’s issues and supervision.
As a client of the Counseling Center, you have the right to strict confidentiality and no information about your case will be released without your prior written authorization. The right to confidentiality may be waived, in your counselor's professional opinion, if you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Your counselor believes that you pose a serious & immediate danger to yourself or
others; he/she will take protective actions. These actions may include seeking hospitalization
for you, notifying any potential victim(s), and/or notifying the police.
- Your counselor has reason to believe that a child or vulnerable adult is being neglected
or abused. The law requires that the situation be reported to the appropriate state
agency.
- The issue of your mental health is raised in court proceedings. In this case, your
records may be ordered to be released by a judge.
- You are under 18 years of age. In this case, please be aware that the law provides your parents the right to examine your treatment records. Before giving your parents any information we will discuss the matter with you, if possible, and do our best to handle any objections you may have with what we are prepared to discuss.
Note: Parents of minors must provide consent for ongoing treatment.
Students of Concern Confidentiality Exception
Confidentiality may be extended to the Dean of Students or Threat Assessment Committee under circumstances warranting such discussion for the purpose of Threat Assessment or Safety Concerns as described in the Student Handbook.
