Laura Pascal, M.A., L.P.C.

Professional Background: I am from the state of New Jersey, and currently work at a private College of Art and Design in New York City. I am Counselor for new students (freshmen and transfer) as well as upperclassmen. I have previously worked at Public Universities, Community Colleges and in small community mental health agencies. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State Of New Jersey and am involved with a few Professional Organizations where I have the opportunity to correspond with professionals in a variety of settings from all over the world.

Educational Background: I received my Master's Degree from New York University in Counseling in Colleges and Community Agencies. I attended Trenton State College (before it became the College of New Jersey) as an undergraduate student where I majored in Psychology and minored in Computer Science. Back in THOSE days, people would react to the previous statement and wondered what one had to do with the other. Well, the time has come that pretty much everything is computer aided.

My Philosophy: The point in life where one enters Higher Education is an extremely pivitol one. For some people it gives them an opportunity to find out who they are and what they want to become. Choosing a major, taking exams, meeting new people, being away from home can all be stressful experiences. However, stress is not always bad. It pushes us to go on, to try different ways of accomplishing a task, and shows you what you're realy made of.

SOMETIMES you just want someone to understand you but you feel that there is no where to turn. Fear of the unknown and lack of a supportive and non-judgemental place to go to when it all becomes too much, can really grind away at your coping skills and lower your chances for success at college.