Maquella Chacon
Staff Writer
Idaho State University Counseling and Testing Services is piloting new support groups and group therapy sessions to provide help for students who might be facing academic, identity or personal challenges.
Starting for the first time during the fall 2109 semester, ISU counselors will meet with groups of 5-8 students per group session to provide tools to treat stress and offer support.
Group treatments have proven effective in the field of counseling and different support groups will develop over time as the interests and needs of students change. Current group meetings include: Understanding Self and Others (USO), Do Better Today (DBT), Anxiety ACTion Group, Sexual Concerns, four separate Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CATS) groups focused on similar identity aspects, and Mindfulness Meditation.
The nine groups focus on issues ranging from self-awareness, breaking bad habits, interpersonal effectiveness, social skills and distress tolerance, anxiety management, new culture assimilation for international students to LGBTQ resources.
Support groups are being offered to provide a social dynamic in problem-solving by viewing different perspectives and creating a sense of purpose within a safe space.
“We know that over time we will build a community,” said Counseling and Testing Center coordinator, Kristen Stewart Yates Ph.D., LCPC-S. “We will play it by ear as we continue on throughout this year based on the needs of people and the number of participants.”
In addition to the new support groups, the ISU Counseling and Testing Services offers free and confidential one-on-one sessions, couples counseling, crisis intervention, outreach and prevention programs.
Training and internships are available at the center for masters-level counseling students and doctorate level clinical psychology students.
All students that are enrolled at ISU for the semester have access to free support groups and testing services with priority granted to high-risk individuals. Referrals can be provided additionally to counselors and therapy outside of the university.
After starting support groups during the first week of school, the Counseling and Testing Services center has reportedly already received a small turnout of eager students through advertising on isu.edu and throughout campus. Counselors and counseling students have also shown their support and enthusiasm for the program and new changes.
“I think it has great potential and is actually pretty necessary as well as helpful,” said counseling student and center participant, Olivia Ngadjui. “ISU students are facing battles that many of us would never know about.”
Counseling services are available all year long at Graveley Hall, South Tower, Room 351 and appointments can be scheduled over the phone at (208) 282-2130.
