Doctoral & Masters Level counselors A safe, comfortable environment Multiple services, but our bread and butter is counseling… Web site (includes all student services): NMU Home Page  Current Students  Student Services Home  Resources

Fact or Fiction? Or…Why are some students reluctant to use counseling services? You must to be really up to seek counseling. really It takes a really long time to get it!  You must be weak to see a professional therapist—strong people handle problems on their own. You must to be really up to seek counseling. really It takes a really long time to get it!  You must be weak to see a professional therapist—strong people handle problems on their own.

Facts… People go to counseling for all kinds of reasons— usually to feel better about themselves, regardless of what their specific “problem” is. The focus is to develop/enhance psychological health. Therapy is really about exploring and finding personal strengths and inner resources. The average # of sessions for students use of our counseling services is about 4. A significant percent (about 1/3) find just one or two visits to be helpful. About 90% finish in 7 sessions or less.  Contrary to weakness, it takes character & courage to acknowledge personal issues and difficult feelings— to talk openly about things many may have never verbalized before.

Fact or Fiction? Fact or Fiction? Professional therapy costs an arm and a leg. Confidentiality may be valid to a certain extent, but sooner or later all records at a university get seen by somebody. Professional therapy costs an arm and a leg. Confidentiality may be valid to a certain extent, but sooner or later all records at a university get seen by somebody.

More Facts… More Facts… F act  Therapy does indeed cost a bunch—about $100/hr—but counseling & consultation services at NMU are 100% free. You can’t pay for them even if you want to! No information ever leaves the office without written permission (except in the extreme circumstances of danger to self or others, abuse of minors or elders, or court order). None !

Services Counseling—individual, couples and group, crisis intervention and/or personal growth. Counseling—individual, couples and group, crisis intervention and/or personal growth. Consultation – With individuals or groups about psychological concerns or general need for guidance/information. We often talk to students, faculty and staff, or parents concerned about a 3 rd party. Outreach--Psychoeducational presentations— stuff like Relaxation training/stress management, coping with the blues, anxiety, grief, sexual assault prevention, enhancing relationships, and others. Performance Enhancement Training And Other stuff that is requested…

“The best years of your life” College Years are “The best years of your life”

Fact And Fiction— It is Both; Life is Change… Fact And Fiction— It is Both; Life is Change… University students are at the stage of life that is both exciting and stressful. The college years are a time of one of the highest learning curves (personal growth and change) of life—forming values for living, relationships, success, making meaning, balancing intellect and feelings, fun and responsibilities, etc. Not to mention that this will [hopefully] involve reading and studying lots of stuff and digesting lots of knowledge. Remember, change is hard, even when it is good! Find healthy ways of taking care for both yourself and how you relate to those you count among your friends and loved ones… University students are at the stage of life that is both exciting and stressful. The college years are a time of one of the highest learning curves (personal growth and change) of life—forming values for living, relationships, success, making meaning, balancing intellect and feelings, fun and responsibilities, etc. Not to mention that this will [hopefully] involve reading and studying lots of stuff and digesting lots of knowledge. Remember, change is hard, even when it is good! Find healthy ways of taking care for both yourself and how you relate to those you count among your friends and loved ones…

Building Good College Years— Our Values/Tips for Students Building Good College Years— Our Values/Tips for Students Serenity: Develop The Serenity to accept the things you cannot change; The Courage to change what you can; and The Wisdom to know the difference. Apply this to all of the following... Serenity: Develop The Serenity to accept the things you cannot change; The Courage to change what you can; and The Wisdom to know the difference. Apply this to all of the following... Learn to like, accept & be yourself Learn to like & accept others, especially those who are different Build good relationships—based on solid personal values Balance, balance, balance

Be your best, but know your limits and boundaries  Be human, not perfect Respect what you don’t know at least as much as what you do know Build good habits—don’t let them build you—make them work for you, not against you Stress—learn to value/use it! Then learn to let go of the rest Be your best, but know your limits and boundaries  Be human, not perfect Respect what you don’t know at least as much as what you do know Build good habits—don’t let them build you—make them work for you, not against you Stress—learn to value/use it! Then learn to let go of the rest Building Good College Years— (continued)

Develop Confidence in Yourself Develop Confidence in Yourself