For Immediate Release

Contact: New Learning Center 203-226-0100

Sacred Heart University & Prestigious Counseling Center
Establish Affiliation- Promises Students Unique
Combination of Theory and Practice

FAIRFIELD, Conn., June 27, 2000 – Sacred Heart University announces that it has established an affiliation with a prestigious counseling center that will benefit its psychology majors and those pursuing degrees in other professions, like nursing or education, where it is important to understand how to deal with people and their problems. The affiliation with the Westport-based New Learning Center was piloted last year, and will begin its first full year this fall. Through the affiliation, Sacred Heart University students will take classes at the New Learning Center, earning up to three credits at the University for each course. The courses are also open to members of the community. The students will also have the opportunity to participate in ongoing events and forums at the New Learning Center that address important issues. “This is an exciting and unique opportunity for our students,” said Claire Paolini, Ph.D., dean of Sacred Heart University’s College of Arts & Sciences. “Since many of our psychology faculty are also clinicians, we understand and appreciate the value of affiliating with the New Learning Center. We like to think that these kinds of opportunities are where theory meets practice. The feedback we have received from students participating in the pilot program has been very positive. This affiliation will be an important part of our students’ educational experience.” “We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with Sacred Heart University, its students and members of the community,” said Dr. Laura Lustig, New Learning Center President. “As professional trainers, we have a great deal of experience working with advanced-level students. Students coming through the Sacred Heart University program are learning how to better understand people, families and the problems they face, which is very important regardless of their profession or field of study. These students have minds open to new learning and an interest in personal exploration. We have a unique opportunity to help them develop both the understanding and ethical principles which can serve them in – more – Affiliation/2 any field involving relationships. We have enjoyed working with Sacred Heart University to develop a program in keeping with the high quality curriculum they offer to their students.” To date, approximately 25 students have participated in classes at the New Learning Center, and the feedback has been very positive. “I loved taking this class at the New Learning Center,” said Karen Ragland, an Easton resident and a participant in the Family Dynamics course. Karen, a senior at Sacred Heart University at the time she took the course and a psychology major, enrolled in the course with her mother, Joanna Hurley. “Taking this class with my mother was very special, especially because it was about family dynamics, but I would have found it valuable without her. I have an interest in going into the counseling profession in the future. So, the opportunity to learn off-campus in a clinical setting from experts in the field was a valuable experience -- it complemented well what I learned in my other classes. It also allowed me to not just learn about theory, but apply what I was learning to my own life.” Mrs. Hurley noted that taking the course with her daughter was an equally special experience, but that she also had an interest in learning more about the subject matter. “Our family was going through a lot at the time, from my daughter’s marriage, which happened during this course, to her graduation from Sacred Heart University. Taking this class together offered us a respite, and helped us better understand each other and our family. There are many adults who may be reluctant to take this kind of course, because they’re afraid of delving into family dynamics or they’re worried that there won’t be anyone like them in the classroom. Any hesitation I had was immediately put to rest. I found going back to school a very comfortable and refreshing experience. The subject matter was fascinating, and Linda Keller, our teacher, was just terrific.” Ms. Hurley, a resident of Weston, works as an illustrator for children’s books. “Psychology is one of the University’s most popular majors,” said Dr. Donald Brodeur, Psychology Department Chair. “As we’ve seen from those who have participated in the program, providing this experience for our students can only help make what is currently a very attractive program even stronger.” – more – Affiliation/3 The mission of the New Learning Center is to provide the highest quality professional and community educational programs as well as a counseling center for family wellness. Founded in 1993, the NLC is approved by the State of Connecticut as a CEU provider for educators, offering training both at the Center and in area school systems. The NLC is also approved by the American Psychological Association, the National Association of Social Workers – CT, the Certification Board (for substance abuse counselors) and Family Development Associates (for Conn. and Mass. Marriage and family therapists) to offer professional continuing education for mental health professionals. The New Learning Center offers a wide variety of services to families, including individual, marital, and family therapy, 24-hour family crisis intervention, evaluations of psychological, learning and attention problems, and specialized programs for anxiety disorders, social skills problems in children and play therapy for young children and parents. Known for its commitment to academic excellence and community service, Sacred Heart University is an independent, comprehensive, coeducational institution of higher learning and the third-largest Catholic university in New England. Just an hour’s drive from New York City or Hartford, the University’s main campus is located in suburban Fairfield, Conn., with branch campuses in Danbury, Derby, Lisbon, Shelton and Stamford, Conn., and in Luxembourg. The University currently has 2,400 full-time undergraduate students, 1,600 graduate students and 1,600 part-time students. Founded by the Most Rev. Walter W. Curtis, Bishop of Bridgeport, it was the first Catholic university in the United States to be led and staffed by lay people. Space is limited, and as such those interested in taking advantage of the Sacred Heart University-New Learning Center affiliation are encouraged to register soon. For more information, contact Claire Paolini, Ph.D., Dean, Sacred Heart University College of Arts & Sciences at (203) 396-8020 or the New Learning Center at (203) 226-0100, or via email at mail@newlearningcenter.com.

 

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