This week’s Campus Celebrity, Zoe Rosoff-Verbit, is a junior here at the College from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Although she is your average twenty-year-old girl who loves spending time with friends, studying, and catching the latest Rom Com at the local theatre, Zoe also devotes at least six hours a week volunteering at the school’s Cougar Counseling Team. HerCampus was delighted to sit down with Zoe and learn more about this valuable student program.
So Zoe, what exactly is The Cougar Counseling Team?
We were once referred to as Peer Counselors, but this past semester we changed our name to The Cougar Counseling Team because we feel we are more trained to handle high stress situations than a peer would be. Basically, we are a supportive listening service for CofC students by CofC students. We’re available from 4:00pm-9:00pm, Monday through Thursday, in the Robert Scott Small Building, Room 319. The great thing about our program is that it provides a safe and confidential place for students to come talk about anything that’s on their mind, from small break ups to more serious concerns that are going on in their lives. We are not only available in person, but also online and over the phone as well.
What does it take to become a peer counselor?
Each spring, we hold a formal recruitment that involves an application and interview process. Upon being chosen to be a part of the team, there are a few all day mandatory training sessions that are nationally recognized and research based in therapeutic listening and crisis management. After training, you are held responsible for working certain shifts each week and educating the College of Charleston Student Body on mental health.
What made you decide to join The Cougar Counseling Team?
I thought it would be a very eye opening experience and would expose me to different situations that I might encounter socially or professionally. I am a Psychology major and I thought it would give me good counseling experience.
Are the services you offer only for CofC Students?
No, they’re not. Our online chat is available for any Trident United Way National 211 Hotline user. We chat with people of all ages, from all over the country who are experiencing suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming themselves or others. We are trained by Trident United Way to handle these life-threating situations in a safe and efficient manner.
What have you learned most about yourself throughout this whole experience?
Even though I can’t relate specifically to every situation I encounter, I have become such a more empathic person by having to put myself in their shoes and understand what others are feeling and going through.
If you are interested in learning more about The Cougar Counseling Team and the services they offer please feel free to visit their website: