Waynesburg University is expanding its Doctoral Counseling Program with an upcoming clinic, as well as other possibilities in the near future. Dr. Andrew Nocita, who has been with Waynesburg University since 2007, accepting a position of working in a private practice psychotherapy group at the Pittsburgh Southpointe location, outlined the details of the expansion.

“We have opened the Counseling Training Clinic, a telehealth clinic that will provide counseling services to the community. It’s run through the Center for Community Outreach and Engagement by our Graduate Counseling Department,” Nicota said.

According to Nocita, the counseling service available to the community began this semester, and have just begun the process of receiving referrals and meeting with clients online. When speaking on the goal of this new endeavor, Nocita said “Our goal is to serve those who are underserved, due to lack of insurance or difficulty getting to a clinic or agency for counseling services.”

“We have opened the Counseling Training Clinic, a telehealth clinic that will provide counseling services to the community. It’s run throught the Center for Community Outreach and Engagement by our Graduate Counseling Department.”

Dr. Andrew Nocita

When it comes to the specificities of the program, it is offered at no charge to all clients, and any individual who is interested can apply through the Waynesburg University website. 

According to Nocita, he sees this as an opportunity to, “deliver innovative clinical mental health counselor training that is grounded in the best practices from multiple perspectives, a multicultural worldview, and prepares students to become competent counselors, mental health advocates, and leaders.” 

With that in mind, Nocita also mentioned all who have access to the service, which includes anybody living in Pennsylvania. 

Nicota gave details on those involved with the newly integrated program.

“I serve as the director of the clinic; we also have a clinic manager, Chelsea Scarmazzi, who is a doctoral student in our Counselor Education and Supervision in Counseling doctoral program. Counselors are student interns in our Master of Arts in Counseling program,” he said. 

Nocita did mention that this program, although being affiliated with Waynesburg University, is not working with the main campus counseling service, which is exclusive to the Waynesburg University student body and faculty.