Leigh Jensen, director of SCS, said students are able to receive counseling for several different concerns from the staff counselors, psychologists and social workers.
“Issues that students bring to the counseling center are varied. Students may be experiencing transition issues, family problems or relationship problems. We also see students with mental health issues including depression, anxiety, anger issues and many other disorders,” Jensen said.
Phyllis Benjamin, counselor for SCS, said counselors at SCS will also help students with less serious problems, including homesickness, goal setting, time management and financial difficulties.
“Our focus is to meet the needs of students,” she said. “We work to connect students with student groups and clubs to enhance their experience at MSU and help them overcome whatever they may be struggling with.”
Noah Martinson, counselor and social worker for SCS, said SCS offers services to any MSU student requesting assistance and support.
In addition to individual sessions, workshops and support groups, Martinson said SCS provides consultations with concerned parties and referrals, as well as walk-in and urgent care.
Although students are welcome to attend the workshops offered by the counseling center, the staff requests students check with SCS before joining one of the support groups, he said.
“We ask that people come to the counseling center ahead of time to talk about their interest in the group and to make sure it is a good match for them,” Martinson said. “The one exception to that is our meditation group that happens on weekdays between 3 to 4 p.m. For that group, people can just show up.”
The guided meditation group is open to all students, whether they have attended other counseling sessions or not, Jensen said.
“The meditation groups have been very popular, with students just stopping by to participate… any afternoon they are interested,” she said.
Benjamin said SCS works alongside many other departments, includgt the Longest Student Health Center and Dean of Students’ Office at MSU to serve student concerns and needs.
“We collaborate with various student organizations on campus in reaching out to and supporting students. Also, professors and staff call us if they have issues of concern as to how to help students,” Benjamin said.
If a student’s needs require more rigorous treatment than the counseling center can offer, SCS will assist the student in finding a more suitable service, Martinson said.
“The student counseling center is able to offer referrals to other treatment options in order to best address a client’s specific needs,” he said. “We work collaboratively with clients to make sure we are meeting their needs in a way that is comfortable to them.”
Martinson said he thinks SCS works to help students not only overcome the issue being treated but also to become successful in all aspects of their lives.
“Ideally, the role of counseling is not just to provide relief from distress but to make someone the most effective version of themselves, capable of thriving academically, socially and emotionally,” he said.
The counseling center is located in 115-C Hathorn Hall and is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The last workshop for the semester, Building Healthy Relationships, will take place on Nov. 2, 9 and 16 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in room 226 of Colvard Student Union.
