Horizons Fall 2015

18 NSU HORIZONS inject, then perhaps it will lessen the number of communi- cable diseases that spread when people share needles in the exchange of intravenous injected drugs.” The end goal of the team’s work would be to partner with a drug company to have their patent-pending formula incorporated into the manufacturing of products. TRAINING AND ASSISTANCE Help for those with substance abuse and addiction issues, plus the training of behavioral health professionals, is another segment of NSU’s contributions in the field. The Adolescent Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program (ADAPT), part of the Psychology Services Center at NSU’s College of Psychology, provides outpatient treatment to adolescents referred by police, schools, local agencies, and parents. Directed by Vincent B. Van Hasselt, Ph.D., professor of psychology and criminal justice and director of NSU’s Fam- ily Violence program, ADAPT is an early inter- vention program for adolescents that is customized to each individual’s specific needs. Students enrolled in the College of Psychology also gain experience in clinical rotations at ADAPT, where they get hands-on training in working with adolescents and their families. Also on campus, the Henderson Student Counseling Services, a partnership between NSU and Henderson Behav- ioral Health, provides counseling for substance abuse issues and mental health and behavioral issues at no cost for up to 10 sessions for part-time and full-time NSU students. “Should someone need a high level or a more enhanced level of help with an alcohol or substance abuse problem, we have the infrastructure of Henderson Behavioral Health that’s accessible to them, which is different from most student counseling centers across the board,” said Stephen Ronik, Ed.D., CEO, Henderson Behavioral Health. The Henderson Student Counseling Services is the first student counseling center worldwide to be accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. “We’ve helped develop the standards for other student counseling services centers,” said Ronik. Students who are not on NSU’s Fort Lauderdale/Davie Campus also benefit from the student counseling services through a “telehealth” program. “Through a secure video connection, students have access to a Henderson counselor in Fort Lauderdale,” said Ronik. Currently, the telehealth program is available at NSU campuses in Jacksonville, Tampa, and Orlando, with expansions planned for other campuses. Henderson Student Counseling Services also provides training for NSU’s College of Psychology students studying to become professionals in the mental health field, prepar- ing them for careers working with patients. “We train hundreds and hundreds of NSU mental health counseling students and Ph.D.-level psychology students. And, they work side by side with our staff of mental health profession- als, which includes licensed psychologists and a psychiatrist,” said Ronik. MOVING FORWARD NSU is an integral resource for those working in the research field of substance abuse and addiction. Hall believes it will help “break down the silo walls that have often isolated various departments, thus making it easier to form more comprehensive strategies.’’ Hall added: “Substance abuse is an issue that crosses so many lines from public health to criminal justice to economic impact to social and international relations. Having this approach at the university is the best way in which to explore the problem and ultimately work toward solutions.” n NSU’s College of Psychology students gain experience through clinical rotations and hands-on training.