Our Services
The Counseling Center is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. The following services are available to all Northwest students regardless of age, sex, race, or ability. University faculty and staff may come in for emergency and referral assistance.
Counseling Sessions
- Individual counseling is offered for a variety of personal, educational and vocational choices.
- Relationship counseling is conducted with another person participating, such as a spouse, parent, boyfriend or girlfriend.
- Group counseling is offered around a variety of topics such as a physical/sexual abuse, eating disorders, family dynamics and self-esteem. There are generally about 6 participants in these therapy groups.
Consultations
- Consultations are available to all members of the University community to assist in problem solving, intervention and conflict resolution.
Presentations
- Presentations are available to the campus and to various organizations concerning stress/time management, relationships, assertiveness, self-esteem and eating disorders. Additional programming is developed and offered in response to current needs.
Peer Education
- The Counseling Center provides training opportunities for peer educators to grow in the areas of teamwork, leadership, public speaking, program development and network-building.
What is Counseling All About?
There are all kinds of reasons people visit the Counseling Center. Because we want you to feel comfortable about your decision to seek counseling and for it to be a positive experience, we are providing the following information.
Office Environment
- Comfort Level - We understand that at times some students feel ill at ease in our waiting room, whether due to other students stopping by or perhaps they are unnerved by student workers. We have attempted, through geographic location, to minimize the traffic to our office. If for whatever reason, you feel especially uncomfortable, please describe the situation to your counselor and we will do our best to accommodate your individual needs.
- Confidentiality - Please refer to the confidentiality statement located on the Counseling Center main page, and in addition, the entire staff, student workers included, take confidentiality very seriously. You should feel reassured we have taken steps to guard your confidentiality. Student workers are not allowed to schedule appointments and your counselor is the only person who sees the information in your file.
- Training Facility - The Center works closely with the Counseling Psychology graduate program. Therefore, your intake may be done by a graduate student. Counseling may also be done by a graduate practicum student.
Many people wonder just what it is that we hope to accomplish with clients. The following will briefly highlight some of what goes on in a counseling session.
Therapeutic Relationship
- Unbiased Opinions - Many students express that they want an "unbiased opinion" or "unbiased person" to listen and give feedback. We do offer that, but more importantly, we try to help YOU develop that unbiased person within yourself.
- Defense Mechanisms - We all need defense mechanisms. Unfortunately, most are developed in response to childhood situations and don't apply or work well in adult situations. We work with students to eliminate defense mechanisms which are no longer necessary and to update or "re-frame" others.
- Feelings - One common defense mechanism is to deny that we have feelings, especially the "bad" ones like anger and hurt. However, without feelings, both positive and negative, we are incomplete humans. Counselors assist students in "getting in touch" with their feelings and accepting them as an important part of self.
- Choices - We assist students to increase their ability to make responsible, healthy and informed choices based on their individual needs and goals.
- Strengths - It is easy to become frustrated with the daily stressors of college, work, family and peers. As situations become overwhelming, we sometimes have a tendency to focus on our negatives. Another role of the counselor is to challenge the student's blind spots and help each become re-acquainted with personal strengths.
- Homework - We don't want students to be dependent on the Counseling Center. Therefore, we may encourage homework in between sessions so that what is learned in the sessions is integrated into a positive self-image.
How to Make an Appointment
- Appointments may be made by calling 562-1220 or by coming to the Wellness Center. Because the counseling center staff believe so much in the value of face-to-face relationships, we do not counsel through e-mail.
- Counseling Sessions generally last about 50 minutes for individual therapy. An intake is the first appointment scheduled with the Counseling Center. During this session, the counselor and student assess the concerns, needs and goals presented and explore avenues for resolution.
After Hours Emergency
- Campus Safety (660) 562-1254
- St. Francis Mental Health Services (660) 562-2227 or 1-800-841-3866
- Sexual Assault Hotline (660) 562-1972