Center for Personal and Professional Development
How to Make An Appointment
New to Center for Personal and Professional Development?
The Center for Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) is open year-round Monday-Friday. Hours of operation vary; see posted hours on our exterior door.
There are four ways to make your first appointment:
- Walk in to the Center for Personal and Professional Development office, located in Suite W-300 (3rd floor, West Building) of the Elkins Park campus. If the interior offices are closed, it is likely because the counselor is working with another student. You may leave a note or try at another time.
- Call us at 215.780.1315 or 215.780.1534
- Email us at cppd@salus.edu
- Request a counselor
If you or another person is at risk of serious injury or death right now, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If you think that you or another person is at risk or in danger:
- If you are on campus, call Campus Security at 215.780.1401
- If you are off-campus, call 911.
For non-life threatening, urgent matters during operating hours come to the Center for Personal and Professional Development office, or call and leave us a message. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Returning for Services?
If you have received counseling services from CPPD in the past, you can make a new appointment by walking in or emailing claracuente@salus.edu, jwalker@salus.edu, mmarcus@salus.edu, or tdavis@salus.edu. If it has been in a previous academic year, we will ask you to update your paperwork.
What if I have to cancel my appointment?
Cancellations are best managed by emailing your counselor directly. You may also call your counselor’s extension and leave a message to reschedule. Please make every attempt to cancel AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR to your appointment, so that we may offer your time to someone else who may need it!
Is there a wait time?
Dependent on the time of year, there are usually immediate openings for new clients within a week, sometimes sooner. Wait times tend to increase around finals and boards, so please plan accordingly. Also, please understand that evening appointments are in high demand and thus might lead to a longer wait time.
What can I expect at my first appointment?
During your first appointment, a CPPD mental health professional will ask questions and listen with respect and compassion to your current situation, relevant history, and immediate concerns. They will then help you determine your goals for coming to the Center, and work with you to determine the best course for therapy, consultation or referral to outside resources.
How many sessions do I get with CPPD? What if I need more sessions?
Every Salus student is eligible to participate in up to 10 sessions per academic year. Students will speak with their counselor to determine how to best utilize these sessions during your first appointment. Should you require or desire additional counseling your counselor will help you connect with local resources so that you may continue your treatment in the community. Our counselors will work to find you the best match should you wish to use insurance or out of pocket options.
Does Salus offer excused absences for CPPD sessions?
Some programs offer excused absences if the only available sessions happen to be during one of your class times. Please check with your individual program director to see if your program offers this opportunity.
Do I need to stay with the same counselor the whole time I’m at the University?
Counseling works best when the working relationship between student and counselor is comfortable and open. If, at any point, you feel your counselor is not a good fit for you, we encourage you to first speak with your counselor. Continuity of care is important for progress and notifying your therapist of a potential mismatch might allow for reparation to occur in your relationship first. If you still feel that there is a mismatch, you are welcome to try out another counselor. Please note that your session limits still apply when switching counselors.