The University Counseling Center will have a table set up this week in D Vickers lobby during each production of “Distracted.” They will be there to answer any questions or concerns students have regarding the play.

“We will be in the Lobby of D Vickers, so there will be an attendance of a full time counselor and several interns that will attend each night,” said Emily Moïse-Fontenot, full-time Mental Health Counselor and Emergency Case Manager at the University Counseling Center. “They will be available before, during intermission and after the play.”

“Distracted” is a play written by the famous screenwriter Lisa Loomer about a nine year old boy named Jesse and his parent’s struggle with getting him diagnosed and treated for what they believe is ADHD.

James Winter, director and Associate Professor of Acting and Directing at the university, said that the play had a lot of triggers and touched on many topics that professionals could have the right answer to. He said that the last time they had a University Counseling Center table present to speak to the students was 10 years ago during “448 Psychosis” which was a play that dealt with mental health disorders like multiple personality disorder.

“Because multiple personality disorder deals with other things like often abuse, suicidal thoughts, etc., we thought it would be good to have somebody on hand each night,” said Winter. “In case any of the patrons that saw this show just wanted someone to talk to afterwards or wanted more information.”

Winter hopes that the Counseling Center will serve the same role for this production as well, so he approached Moïse-Fontenot of the Counseling Center and asked for her to provide information and support for the patrons of the production. Moïse-Fontenot started out having an advisory role for the cast of the play.

“You can call what she was doing in the beginning dramaturgy and research work where we were correctly pronouncing these things, that we understood what these drugs were and the side effects, or what the symptoms might be for somebody with ADHD or OCD etc.,” said Winter.

When it came close to production time, Winter decided that it would be appropriate to have the Counseling Center provide a support for the patrons, just like they did during “448 Psychosis.” Moïse-Fontenot organized a group together to answer any questions the patrons might have or to schedule an appointment at the Counseling Center as well.

The Counseling Center does provide counseling and treatment for those diagnosed with ADHD. 

“We do have a lot of students with ADHD, but you’d be surprised to see that many of them do go the medication route for treatment,” said Moïse-Fontenot. “I think that’s a huge disservice because I do believe that there are a lot of psychotherapy treatments that are effective at treating ADHD. Medication has helped, but it doesn’t take it away.”

Moïse-Fontenot stated that the Counseling Center has many different professionals to choose from and that they all provide treatment their own way. She has her own way of providing treatment for ADHD as well.

“I will do a lot of cognitive behavioral therapy but will use a lot of artistic or expressive therapy techniques to achieve that goal,” said Moïse-Fontenot. “It’s a nice little blend.”

Moïse-Fontenot went on to explain that her use of art in her treatment fills in non-verbal gaps where the students might not have been able to explain something before. So instead of a student expected to tell her what they are feeling, she might get them to draw it out.

“Distracted” will premiere this week, Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m. through Friday, Oct. 21 in the Vonnie Borden Theatre located in the lobby of D Vickers Hall. Those who might not be able to set up an appointment for the Counseling Center at the event can walk in to set one up in person instead. The Counseling Center is located in the Student Union Annex and can be contacted at 985-549-3894.