Nothing is more important to us than the physical health and emotional well-being of our students.
The mission of Counseling Services, a department of Student Affairs, is to help students resolve personal difficulties that may interfere with optimal personal and academic functioning; and acquire the skills, attitudes, abilities, and knowledge that will enable them to attain educational and personal goals. Counseling Services fosters a culture where help-seeking behavior is normal, encouraged, and supported across campus and the greater community.
Student Center, Suite 222
605-626-3007
or scan this code with your phone's camera or app:
ABOUT COUNSELING SERVICES
College students have their own unique concerns, problems and issues. Our professionally trained counselors understand what students are going through as they adjust to college life. They are there for the students 鈥 offering guidance and support when it鈥檚 necessary. Services provided:
- Confidential clinical services that help students achieve their academic and personal goals
- Education, training, and support for the campus community regarding the needs of students through outreach, programming, and consultation
- Programming for suicide prevention including Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Trainings available upon request
Issues commonly addressed through brief individual or group counseling:
- Academic-related issues
- Mood or self-esteem issues
- Relationship issues
- Adjustment concerns such as dealing with new life circumstances
- Grief and loss
- Confidentiality
All contacts with Counseling Services are confidential. We will not release any information about students without your written permission. This includes parents and other family members, faculty or other university persons or anyone outside the university. Also, students' contacts with the center do not become part of their university record.
Legal limits to the confidentiality we can provide include:
- Information about child abuse or neglect must be reported to the proper authorities
- If a student is dangerous to him/herself or others, steps must be taken to protect the student or those who are in danger
- Information about abuse to the elderly must be reported
- If a student is involved in court proceedings, your records can be subpoenaed
- Students who are under 18 years of age
- A disclaimer about email
We discourage people from contacting us via email regarding personal problems. The nature of email is such that we cannot guarantee the confidentiality of correspondence, nor do we find email communications as useful as in-depth, face-to-face contact. Moreover, we cannot guarantee that we will read email right away or respond in a timely fashion.
- Referrals
Counseling Services can help students find options for mental health services and treatment and prevention facilities in the Aberdeen area. Typical referrals might include couple or family therapy, psychiatric consultations, or referrals for family or friends of the NSU community.
- Stress management for students
Everyone, especially college students, knows what stress is and the Stress Management Lab offered by Counseling Services helps students do something about it. Through individual sessions, students learn simple tension-relieving exercises and find the relaxation technique that works for them. Participating in the Stress Management Lab helps students develop new and healthy ways of coping with stress.
- Mental Health Apps
These apps can help students learn practical strategies for coping with stress and managing strong emotions. They may be useful on their own for addressing minor concerns, or in conjunction with therapy to address more significant challenges. Students are welcome to schedule an appointment at Counseling Services to further discuss skills and strategies for coping.
All apps are free, though some may allow you to buy additional features.
- Belly Bio (iPhone only)
Place your phone on your belly so it can monitor your breathing. This biofeedback app is intended to help you learn to relax and focus on your breath. - Forest (iPhone and Android)
Designed to help users focus and avoid getting distracted by their phones while studying. Set a time on your phone when you want to concentrate on studies and the app will 鈥済row鈥 a virtual tree while you work. Set the app to the stress-free growing mode or challenge yourself to keep your tree alive by not using any other apps. See how many you can plant. - MindShift CBT (iPhone and Android)
This app explores different kinds of common anxiety (e.g., general worry, social anxiety, perfectionism, panic, and phobias) and provides users with skills to handle each. In-app tools help you manage unwanted thoughts, take a breath, or create action plans to help you tackle your anxiety (e.g., face your fears in small steps, challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zone, build better habits). - MoodTools (iPhone and Android)
This app is designed for anyone struggling with depression. It includes a great stress diary tool to help you challenge upsetting thoughts, among other tools. - SAM: Self-Help for Anxiety Management (iPhone and Android)
This app includes about 30 mini activities/tools to help you learn about anxiety, identify triggers, manage symptoms, and track your progress. - Virtual Hope Box (iPhone and Android)
Designed to help users cope with intense emotions. Includes features to distract you (games/puzzles), relax you (meditation/muscle relaxation), and inspire you (quotes).
- Belly Bio (iPhone only)