Mission
The Counseling, Health & Wellness Center is a welcoming and accepting environment that strives to empower William Paterson University students to make informed decisions about their physical and emotional well-being in order to promote lifelong health. Through primary health care, personal counseling, health education, prevention services and co-curricular educational opportunities, the Center assists students in achieving success in their academic experience and life goals.
Location
Located at Overlook South, 1st Floor. (Between Matelson and White Hall)
Hours
Fall and Spring Semesters: Monday- Friday: 8:30am to 4:30pm
Summer: Monday- Thursday: 8:00am to 5:15pm
Accessibility
Our facility is certified ADA compliant and fully accessible to meet our students’ diverse needs. Please contact us directly if you identify a specific accommodation to meet your needs. In efforts to continually improve our quality of care, we collaborate with the Accessibility Resource Center to address barriers to care.
We offer both in-person and telehealth services to meet our students at their comfort level.
Staff Biographies
The Counseling, Health & Wellness Center is staffed with licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, a substance use specialist, supervised graduate students, a nurse practitioner, registered nurses, and a consulting physician together with an excellent administrative staff.
Dr. Jill Guzman is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Director of the Counseling, Health and Wellness Center. She joined WPU in 2003 and has been instrumental in the transformation of the center to become a comprehensive and holistic healthcare facility providing innovative care to all WPU students. She has implemented a comprehensive sports medicine program for athletes on campus and works collaboratively with Department of Athletics and Club Sports to ensure the safety of students engaging in sports. She has a special interest and expertise in concussion treatment/management and has conducted research on concussions and postural stability testing. Her past experiences include Emergency Medicine both in rural and suburban settings, Primary Care Pediatrics, Healthcare Administration and Emergency Mental Health Services. Some of her professional accomplishments include implementation of Peer Health Theater Program, Sexual Assault Prevention Educator, Hudson County Chairperson of Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program, forensic examiner for child abuse cases, and Implementation of Disaster Plan/Mass Immunization Program for university community. Guzman graduated from Villanova University with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing in 1995, and from Seton Hall University with a Master’s of Science in Nursing, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in 2000. She continued her studies here at William Paterson University and graduated with a Doctor Nursing Practice degree in January 2014.
Daisy is a NJ board Licensed Clinical Social Worker, supervisor and educator who has been in practice for 25 years working primarily with young adults and families in acute care settings. Her treatment interests include family systems treatment, disaster mental health, grief, suicide loss and suicide survivorship, and the transcultural experiences of first generation Latino students adjusting to college. She is a board certified Diplomate of the American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work and a Clinical Associate Member of the American Group Psychotherapy Association. She is certified in NJ as a Disaster Response Crisis Counselor and is also certified as a Suicide Prevention Specialist by the American Association of Suicidology. When she has time away from work, she enjoys nature travel.
Nicole joined the Counseling, Health and Wellness Center (CHWC) in August 2021 as the Assistant Director. Nicole is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Nationally Board Certified Counselor through the NBCC. Nicole has worked in a variety of counseling roles for over 20 years in higher education including St. John's University, Columbia University and Bloomfield College. In addition, she has previous experience in private practice specializing in couple's and individual counseling. Nicole earned her Master's degree in Counseling from New York University and a Bachelor's degree in Communication Studies from The College of New Jersey. She has a true passions for working with college students as they cope with issues such as anxiety, depression, identity development, relationships and family dynamics. Her approach is often goal-oriented with an integrative approach drawing from a variety of theorietical models such as cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavioral therapies. During her time away from work she enjoy puzzles, word games, time with family, corny jokes and musicals.
Elizabeth joined the Counseling, Health, and Wellness Center in September 2017 as a Counselor and the Alcohol and Other Drug Coordinator and clinical supervisor. Elizabeth comes with experience as a program clinical supervisor and counselor working with adults, families, and adolescents in treatment settings ranging from residential, in-home, hospital outpatient, and partial hospitalization. Her specialized treatment approaches include utilizing mindfulness-based and solution-focused counseling, enhanced with dialectic and cognitive behavioral techniques. She earned a Master’s in Counseling Psychology with a Certification in Forensic Psychology. Elizabeth is a Board Certified Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certificated Counselor, and Approved Clinical Supervisor. During her free time she enjoys yoga, hiking, live music, brain games, and family time with her rescue dog.
Avery joined the Counseling, Health & Wellness Center in January, 2010. He comes to the University with training both in Family practice and Sports Medicine. He is a graduate of New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rutgers University and New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Browne has extensive and diverse training in sports medicine and family practice. Some of this includes providing Rural Medicine in Dillingham Alaska and Emergency Room Medicine in San Pedro, Honduras. He did his Fellowship with Overlook Hospital in Sports Medicine. During this tenure he was the Team Physician for Kean University Athletics and also for several area high schools. Dr. Browne is currently an Attending Family Practice Physician at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York, a faculty member of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, a house physician for Christ Hospital in Jersey City, NJ, and the team physician for Eastside and Central High Schools in Newark, NJ. Dr. Browne will be working one day a week in the Health Center providing sports medicine and primary care to our students.
Lisa attended Ramapo College and joined Counseling Health & Wellness in 2022 as an Education Program Assistant, and began her career at William Paterson University in 2017 as a Senior Clerk Typist in the Central Office of Residence Life. Whether at CHWC or Residence Life, Lisa has a passion for assisting students as they immerse themselves in their home away from home. Lisa is often the first point of contact for our students and provides a welcoming environment as she connects students to our providers. Lisa has over 15 years of experience in the field of education and enjoys being around students to offer guidance as they continue their academic and personal growth in the community.
Jessica has joined the Counseling, Health & Wellness Center as the Multicultural Counselor/Specialist and a clinical supervisor, and is looking forward to serving our students. Jessica earned a Master of Arts in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from William Paterson University and a B.A. in Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Jessica previously trained as a counselor intern at the Counseling, Health and Wellness Center in 2009. Since graduating, her work experiences have included working in behavioral health centers and nonprofit organizations that are focused on serving clients from diverse cultural backgrounds. Her specialized treatment approaches include utilizing cognitive behavioral and solution-focused therapy to support clients with various needs, such as: history with trauma, relationship concerns, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression.
Rose joined the Counseling, Health & Wellness Center in November, 2008 as Administrative Assistant to the Counseling, Health & Wellness staff and started July 2015 as the Office Manager. Rose earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from William Paterson University in August 2016 and a Master of Education Administration and Leadership Studies in May 2020. Rose is dedicated to reaching out to studetns and making a difference in their lives. Rose's motivation and drive to work with college students stem from a genuine commitment to student success and improving their experience.
Stephanie joined the Counseling, Health & Wellness Center in 2016 as a part-time counselor. She graduated from Fordham University with Masters in Social Work in 2006 and brings 15+ years of experience to her work at the CHWC, including psychiatric inpatient and partial hospital for those with dual diagnosis. Stephanie provides private practice psychotherapy to adult population and currently works at an outpatient facility providing long-term psychotherapy to adults, families, and adolescents.
Susan joined Counseling, Health, and Wellness in February 2017. A graduate from New York University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Susan has worked with patients of all age groups, college-age being her favorite. Prior to WPU, she worked on the campuses of Farleigh Dickenson University and Bergen Community College. Susan is a CPR Instructor and currently pursuing a master’s degree in nursing at WPU. Susan loves connecting with students and educating them on health topics.
Kristen joined the Counseling, Health & Wellness staff in September 2016. She earned a Master of Social Work from New York University and a B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers University. Kristen previously trained as a graduate social work intern at the Counseling, Health and Wellness Center in 2011. Immediately prior to joining the staff, Kristen worked in a hospital-based outpatient mental health setting with children, adolescents, young adults and their families. Her specialized interests include self-esteem and body image, anxiety disorders, intimate partner violence, long term effects of childhood trauma and issues impacting first generation Latino college students. She is fluent in Spanish.
Caneel joined the Counseling, Health & Wellness Center staff in August 2022 as a part-time counselor. Prior to this, Caneel trained as a counselor intern at the Center where she supported a diverse student population with a wide range of concerns. Caneel graduated from William Paterson with a B.A. in Communications and a M.Ed. in Professional Counseling. She is a Licensed Associate Counselor in the state of NJ and a National Certified Counselor through the NBCC. Her approach to counseling is person-centered and she seeks to provide a safe, non-judgmental therapeutic space that is rooted in compassion and personalized care. In her free time, she enjoys dancing to live music, adventuring in nature, and reading self-development books.
Fazia joined the Counseling, Health & Wellness Center in January, 2011. She graduated from William Paterson University with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing and furthered her education with a Master’s of Science in Nursing at Seton Hall University. She is board certified as an Adult Nurse Practitioner and enjoys providing primary and women's healthcare services to the students of William Paterson University. Fazia was a former Nurse Manager at Hackensack University Medical Center and has worked in inpatient obstetrics for over 20 years.
Notice of Privacy Practice
As required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, this notice describes how mental health/counseling & health information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information.
HIPAA is a federal law that provides privacy protections and patient rights with regard to the use and disclosure of your protected health information (PHI) for the purpose of treatment, payment, and health care operations. HIPAA requires that we provide you with a notice of privacy practices for use and disclosure of PHI for treatment, payment and health care operations.
It also requires that we obtain your signature acknowledging that we have provided you with this information.
We value the trust you have placed in our Counseling, Health and Wellness Center (CHWC) to provide counseling and health care for you. Just as you have placed your trust in us to provide quality care, we give you our commitment to treat all of the information you give us responsibly.
Please note that the Counseling, Health and Wellness Center is one department that provides both Health and Mental Health Services. As such, limited PHI is shared between Counseling and Health staff to facilitate and coordinate patient treatment as needed. This information includes appointments, providers, diagnoses, medications, and other treatment information deemed necessary to ensure responsible continuity and coordination of care. Access to your PHI will be limited to those who are authorized to view it. Patient records, including all PHI, are maintained on a secure electronic medical records system that is fully compliant with the requirements of HIPAA.
○ “PHI” refers to information in your health record that could identify you.
○ “Treatment, Payment and Health Care Operations.” Treatment is when we provide, coordinate or manage your health care and other services related to your health care. An example of treatment would be when we consult with another health care provider, such as your family physician.
○ Payment is when we obtain reimbursement for your healthcare. Examples of payment are when we disclose your PHI to your health insurer to obtain reimbursement for your health care or to determine eligibility or coverage. As we do not presently bill your insurance company for our services, this is not currently applicable.
○ Health Care Operations are activities that relate to the performance and operation of our practice. Examples of health care operations are quality assessment and improvement activities, business-related matters such as audits and administrative services, and case management and care coordination
○ “Use” applies only to activities within our clinic, such as sharing, employing, applying, utilizing, examining, and analyzing information that identifies you.
○ “Disclosure” applies to activities outside of our clinic such as releasing, transferring, or providing access to information about you to other parties.
We may use or disclose PHI for purposes outside of treatment, payment, and health care operations when your appropriate authorization is obtained. An “authorization” is written permission above and beyond the general consent that permits only specific disclosures. In those instances when we are asked for information for purposes outside of treatment, payment and health care operations, we will obtain an authorization from you before releasing this information. For example, if you want your lab work sent to your private physician. Certain parts of your health record require a higher level of authorization. Examples are HIV/AIDS status, sexual assault/victimization and drug and alcohol treatment. We will also need to obtain an authorization before releasing your psychotherapy notes, if you are participating in counseling. “Psychotherapy notes” are notes we have made about our conversation during a private, group, joint, or family counseling session. These notes are given a greater degree of protection than PHI.
○ Emergencies: We may use or disclose your health information if you need emergency treatment or if we are required by law to treat you but are unable to obtain your written consent. If this happens, we will try to obtain your written consent as soon as we reasonably can after we treat you.
○ Public Health Risks: We may disclose your health information to authorized public health or government officials as required by law for public health activities. These activities may include the following:
○ Child Abuse: If we have reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subject to abuse, we must report this immediately to the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services.
○ Adult and Domestic Abuse: If we reasonably believe that a vulnerable adult is the subject of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, we may report the information to the county adult protective services provider.
○ Health Oversight: We may disclose health information to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law. These oversight activities include for example, audits, investigations, inspections, and licensure. These activities are necessary to monitor the health care system, government programs, and compliance with civil rights laws.
○ Serious Threat to Health or Safety: If you present to our office with an imminent threat to your physical health, we must take steps to protect your health. If you communicate to us a threat of imminent serious physical violence against a readily identifiable victim or yourself or the public and we believe you intend to carry out that threat, we must take steps to warn and protect. We also must take such steps if we believe you intend to carry out such violence, even if you have not made a specific verbal threat. The steps we take to warn and protect may include arranging for you to be admitted to a psychiatric unit of a hospital or other health care facility, advising the police of your threat and the identity of the intended victim, warning the intended victim or his or her parents if the intended victim is under 18, and warning your parents if you are under 18.
○ Judicial or Administrative Proceedings: If you are involved in a court proceeding and a request is made for information about the professional services that we have provided you and/or the records thereof, such information is privileged under state law, and we must not release this information without written authorization from you or your legally appointed representative, or a court order. This privilege does not apply when you are being evaluated for a third party or where the evaluation is court ordered. We must inform you in advance if this is the case.
○ Law Enforcement: We may disclose health information if asked to do so by a law enforcement official:
— In response to a court order, subpoena, warrant, summons or similar process.
— To identify or locate a missing person.
— About the victim of a crime if, under certain circumstances, the person is unable to give consent.
— About a death we believe may be the result of criminal conduct.
— About criminal conduct related to WPU operations.
— In emergency circumstances to report a crime; the locations of the crime or victims; or, to the extent permitted by law, the identity, description or location of the person who committed the crime.
— To authorized federal officials so they may provide protection for the President and other authorized persons or, to the extent permitted by law, to conduct special investigations.
○ Worker’s Compensation: If you file a worker's compensation claim, we may be required to release relevant information from your records to a participant in the worker’s compensation case, a reinsurer, the health care provider, medical and non-medical experts in connection with the case, the Division of Worker’s Compensation, or the Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau.
○ Military and Veterans: If you are a member of the armed forces of the United States or another country, we may release health information about you as required by the military command authorities.
○ National Security and Intelligence Activities: We may use and disclose health information about you to authorized federal officials for intelligence, counterintelligence, and other national security activities authorized by law.
○ Coroners, Medical Examiners and Funeral Directors: We may use and disclose health information to a coroner or medical examiner. This may be necessary, for example, to identify a deceased person or determine the cause of death. We may also disclose health information to funeral directors so they can carry out their duties.
○ Organ and Tissue Donation: In the unfortunate event of your death, we may disclose your health information to organizations that procure or store organs, eyes or other tissues so that these organizations may investigate whether donation or transplantation is possible under applicable laws.
○ Incidental Disclosures: While we will take reasonable steps to safeguard the privacy of your health information, certain disclosures of your health information may occur during or as an unavoidable result of our otherwise permissible uses or disclosures of your health information. For example, during the course of a treatment session, other patients in the treatment area may see, or overhear discussion of your health information.
Right to Request Restrictions– You have the right to request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of protected health information about you. However, we are not required to agree to a restriction you request.
Right to Receive Confidential Communications by Alternative Means and at Alternative Locations– You have the right to request and receive confidential communications of PHI by alternative means and at alternative locations. (For example, you may not want others to know that you are seeing us. Upon your request, we will send any necessary communications to another address.)
Right to Inspect and Copy– You have the right to inspect or obtain a copy (or both) of PHI and psychotherapy notes in our mental health records, health records, and billing records used to make decisions about you for as long as the PHI is maintained in the record. We may deny your access to PHI under certain circumstances, but in some cases, you may have this decision reviewed. On your request, we will discuss with you the details of the request and denial process. Please be aware that we require this request to be made in writing.
Right to Amend – You have the right to request an amendment of PHI for as long as the PHI is maintained in the record. We may deny your request. On your request, we will discuss with you the details of the amendment process.
Right to an Accounting – You generally have the right to receive an accounting of disclosures of PHI for which you have neither provided consent nor authorization (as described in Section III of this Notice). On your request, we will discuss with you the details of the accounting process.
Right to a Paper Copy– You have the right to obtain a paper copy of the notice from us upon request, even if you have agreed to receive the notice electronically.
In addition to the other obligations set forth in this Notice, CHWC is required to:
○ Maintain the privacy and security of your health information in a manner consistent with HIPAA and the Privacy and Security Rules.
○ Provide you with this Notice of CHWC’s legal duties and privacy practices with respect to your health information
○ Abide by the terms of this Notice
○ Notify you if there is a breach of your secured health information
If you have questions about this notice, disagree with a decision we make about access to your records, or have other concerns about your privacy rights, you may contact Jill Guzman, DNP, Director, Counseling, Health & Wellness Center at (973) 720-3176
If you believe that your privacy rights have been violated and wish to file a complaint with our office, you may send your written complaint contact Jill Guzman, DNP, Director, Counseling, Health & Wellness Center, Overlook South, William Paterson University, 300 Pompton Road, Wayne, New Jersey 07470-2103.
You may also send a written complaint to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The person listed above can provide you with the appropriate address upon request.
You have specific rights under the Privacy Rule. We will not retaliate against you for exercising your right to file a complaint.
This notice will go into effect on April 1, 2016
We reserve the right to change this Notice. We reserve the right to make the revised or changed Notice effective for health information about you that we already have, as well as any information we receive in the future. The current Notice in effect at any time will be posted on our web site at http://www.wpunj.edu/health-wellness/and will also be available at our Counseling, Health & Wellness Center office.
FAQ's
During the academic year, the Center is open Mondays from 8:30 am to 6 pm and Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. During the summer, the Center is open Mondays from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and Tuesdays through Thursday from 8:00 am – 5:15 pm. Please note that medical services are not provided after 4:30 pm on Mondays during the academic year and are not provided after 5:15 pm on Mondays during the summer.
Any student that is currently registered for a class or classes can be seen at the Counseling, Health & Wellness Center. This includes part time and non degree students.
Students will need to submit insurance information for medical services or otherwise will be billed at a self-pay rate for services. CHWC will not “balance bill” for what insurance has not covered. The CHWC will be collecting co-payments for health visits which are established by the individual’s health insurance carrier. For students that are non-insured, we highly recommend that you visit www.Healthcare.gov to assist with obtaining health insurance. CHWC will not be billing for appointments with our mental health counselors.
All bills will be sent to the students’ WPUNJ email account. CHWC will not be billing for Counseling Visits, HIV testing, Health Education and most medications. For questions regarding your insurance claims, please contact Medical Healthcare Solutions, Inc. at 800-762-9800. MHS will not bill for laboratory services. The laboratory companies will be billing directly to the insurance provider.
Primary Care, Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Sports Medicine, Sick and Injury Care, HIV/ STD Testing, On site Lab Testing available. You can call 973-720-2360 to schedule an appointment.
Health services are provided by nurse practitioners, a part-time physician, registered nurses and a medical assistant.
We would be glad to discuss your medical condition further and can assist you while you are on campus. You can call 973-720-2360 and ask to speak to a nurse.
Individual counseling services are provided to WPU students. Medication consultation and management is also provided in situations in which a student’s concern cannot be resolved with counseling alone. Students who seek medication from the Center’s Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner must also meet regularly with a counselor. Please call 973-720-2257 to schedule an appointment.
Counseling services are provided by psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, supervised graduate interns, and a consulting Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner.
No, students can have as many sessions as needed to resolve the problem.
Yes, the Counseling staff will work with previous treatment providers to take over the care of the student while the student is on campus.
Yes, the records kept at the Counseling, Health & Wellness Center are completely separate from the academic record. The staff cannot share information about a student without the student’s written consent unless the student is in immediate danger of hurting him/herself or someone else, or informs us that a minor child is being abused. If a student is under 18, parents do need to sign a consent form acknowledging that they are aware that the student is utilizing the services. There is an exception with regard to contraception services. Students under the age of 18 are permitted to obtain contraception without parental permission.
If you have a medical emergency on campus you can call 973-720-2300 for campus police to respond. Depending on your emergency, and time of day, you will either be brought to the Counseling, Health & Wellness Center or, if necessary, to the hospital.
During business hours there is always someone available who can speak with a student in crisis. In addition, there is a counselor on call 24/7 to assist in the event of an after-hours emergency. The counselor on call can be reached at the Counseling Center main number, 973-720-2257.
• Required immunization dates must be entered by student into the "FORMS" section of their Student Health Portal (accessed via WPConnect > Student > General Services)
• Then records or documentation of the entered vaccines should be submitted as directed on immunization entry page.
There is an immunization form -link that can be completed by your medical provider and submitted to us but a copy of your existing immunization records is also sufficient All documentation must be received by August 1 for Fall Semester and by January 2 for Spring Semester.
Yes, all students enrolled in a program leading to an academic degree must provide immunization documentation. Please log into your Student Health Portal (via WPConnect) -or- see the immunization form - link for the requirements. Incoming first semester students who do not meet the immunization requirements, will not be permitted to register for their 2nd semester.
You can call the Counseling, Health & Wellness Center at 973-720-2360 or email WPUimmunization@wpunj.edu
Counseling, Health & Wellness services are available to registered students, regardless of type of insurance coverage. We will bill insurance companies for the services we provide in-house. We will not bill for mental health services. If we have to refer you to an outside provider, we would work with you to make an appropriate referral based on insurance coverage. If you need to obtain health insurance please visit: https://www.healthcare.gov/
Our Wellness Coordinator offers educational programs and events on a variety of mental health and wellness topics including, but not limited to, sexual health, alcohol and drug abuse information, stress reduction and much more! Please contact the Wellness Coordinator, Liz Amaya-Fernandez at 973-720-2257 or amayafernandeze@wpunj.edu for more information.
Yes, we offer outreach programs - link to the campus community. Please contact the Wellness Coordinator at 973-720-2382 or amayafernandeze@wpunj.edu to discuss the potential program. We require at least two weeks’ notice for any request.
Commonly Used Forms
Click here to access commonly used forms.
William Paterson University
300 Pompton Road
Wayne, New Jersey 07470
973-720-2000
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