Student Counseling Services
Individual Counseling
Student life can become difficult, and sometimes, overwhelming. Academic stress, financial stress, and social stressors can make it difficult for
students to perform optimally. In addition, other stressors such as trauma, illness, bereavement,
and instances of discrimination can further complicate matters.
Individual Counseling can help students manage these stressors, decrease severity of negative mental health symptoms, and help students maintain sound functioning in their academic and social lives.
Individual Counseling takes place in a safe, confidential environment where counselors and clients create a trusting relationship. Individual Counseling may be short-term and problem focused, with a counselor offering specific behavioral changes, assisting with problem solving, or directing clients to important on-campus resources. Other times, individual counseling may address long-standing mental health problems, issues of long-term personal growth, or explore ways that past experiences impact present functioning. The length and type of individual counseling depends on the nature of a client's concerns and the client's goals for counseling. Students are granted 8 sessions per semester, and if the need arises for more, counselors will consult to determine extended sessions, all at no cost.
The professional, multi-disciplinary staff at Student Counseling Services has expertise across a variety of therapeutic styles and mental health concerns. Mental health concerns that our staff typically provides counseling for include:
- Symptoms of depression
- Symptoms of anxiety or panic attacks
- Difficulties with motivation, time management, and procrastination
- Effects of recent traumas such as sexual assault or loss of a loved one
- Interpersonal concerns such as isolation, homesickness, interpersonal conflicts, and/or social anxiety
- Effects of discrimination based on race, class, gender, ability, or sexual orientation
- Effects of stress and trauma due to family conflict
- Concerns about alcohol and drug use
- Concerns related to eating such as binge eating or restricting diet
- Performance related concerns such as test anxiety or anxiety over public speaking
- Concerns related to bizarre experiences, thinking, and confusion
- Concerns related to concentration and focusing attention
When to Seek Individual Counseling
- Students experiencing the following symptoms should consider mental health counseling to help maintain academic and social functioning:
- Persistent thoughts about harming self or others
- Feel alone, confused, or unable to cope after a recent loss or trauma
- Persistent feelings of sadness, including loss of motivation for schoolwork and inability to engage in even pleasant activities.
- Feeling overly restless, nervous, or panicked when faced with academic and social demands
- Noticeable changes in personality, mood, or temperament, including mood swings that lead to risk-taking or aggressive behavior
- Unsuccessful attempts to control alcohol or drug use, or unexpected consequences from alcohol or drug use
- Changes in work or school performance due to stress or difficulty concentrating
- Noticing patterns in your thoughts or behaviors that seem to impede personal growth and fulfillment
