While the college experience is often referred to as “the best years of one’s life”, it may also be one of the most stressful times. Students experience extensive changes in their lives while in college. Some may leave home, community, and even their home culture in beginning a more independent lifestyle. Some may face unexpected additions to the multiple roles and responsibilities they already possess. Stress is experienced in the form of academic, social, family, work, and financial demands of students. At times, these demands can become overwhelming to the student, impairing his/her ability to make good, healthy choices and/or the inability to cope academically or emotionally with the problem. The Counseling Center provides support that many students need to grow academically, personally, and spiritually. The University counselors assist students in developing and making progress toward life goals. Often students encounter obstacles that make reaching those goals difficult. Our services are designed to help students work through or around those obstacles in order to accomplish their goals and achieve a productive, healthy lifestyle.
The Counseling Center provides student support for a variety of issues, such as …
- feeling overwhelmed
- relationship issues
- roommate issues
- depression
- anxiety
- suicidal thoughts
- family concerns
- grief/loss
- stress management
- time management
- communication skills
- adjusting to college life and/or other life changes
- couple and pre-martial counseling
- alcohol & drug use/abuse
- eating disorders
- obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other mental health issues.
The Counseling Center provides the following services to students:
Individual and Couples Counseling – Individuals and couples come to counseling to clarify concerns they might have, to deal with specific problems or to explore personal growth. Individual and couples counseling usually includes an initial assessment session and follow-up appointments to resolve a concern. Sessions are usually 50 minutes in length and the number of visits is determined based on the client’s needs.
Group Counseling – Opportunities for group experience are offered to students with specific interests and needs. Information about current or upcoming groups may be obtained through the Counseling Center office, located in the basement of the village next door to the Health Center.
Consulting – Counseling staff members are available for consultation with students, staff and faculty. Consultation often focuses on working with individual students, organizational problems, and ways of improving student environments or other issues that may have important interpersonal dimensions.
Programs/Workshops – The Counseling Center offers programs and workshops designed to present information on a variety of mental health topics and positive lifestyle choices, promote education, and assist in the growth and development of students. You may contact the Counseling Center for information regarding programs and workshops.
Emergencies – The Counseling Center provides assistance to students in crisis. In the case of a life threatening emergency, contact the Counseling Center at 864-622-6078. If unable to reach a counselor, contact Campus Safety at 864-231-2060 and/or call 911 for emergency service. Students needing to see a Counselor after-hours in cases of emergency may first contact Campus Safety at 864-231-2060 and/or their Residence Life Coordinator at 864-622-6011. The Counseling Center after-hours Nurse is available 24/7 at 864-622-6078.
Referrals – Anderson University Counseling Center has contracted with AnMed Behavioral Health and other providers in the community for referral of students who may require psychiatric assistance beyond the services and support available through the University’s Counseling Center. Referral services are available for medication needs, addictions treatment, eating disorders, learning disabilities, and other needs that cannot be met by the University counseling staff.