I’m writing to clear up any remaining confusion surrounding the article “OBHS Leader Retires,” published in the Oct. 29th, 2010 edition of the Argus. Within 24 hours of the issue going to press, I was sent an apology from the Argus for how the Office of Behavioral Health (OBHS), particularly its current director, Dr. Philippa M. Coughlan, was mischaracterized in the article, which implied that there was controversy surrounding a lack of diversity in the staff. Despite a correction being published online, I would like to offer the positive account I hoped would be portrayed in the first place.
Dr. Coughlan is retiring this year after forty years of distinguished service to the university, during which she helped create and shape OBHS into its current form. While no counseling center is perfect, over the years OBHS has done an impressive job of providing excellent treatment to students. According to the most recent OBHS survey conducted in Fall 2008, over 90% of the students who attended therapy sessions at OBHS were satisfied with the treatment they received from the therapists. Furthermore, Dr. Coughlan and the staff therapists all have a wide range of expertise in dealing with many issues, from psychotherapy of all sorts to sexual violence, eating disorders to alcohol and other substance use issues.
The search process for a new, dynamic director to continue the good work of Dr. Coughlan has already begun, with applications coming in for the past month. While OBHS will certainly be undergoing some significant changes in the coming year—among them hiring a new director and changing the name to Wesleyan Counseling Services—it is important to recognize and appreciate the continued commitment of Dr. Coughlan and the rest of the staff to providing quality counseling to all students at Wesleyan who seek it.
O’Donnell is a member of the class of 2013 and the Student Affairs Committee Chair.
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