Madison Shumway
Staff Writer
For students grappling with mental and physical difficulties or stressful life events, the University Counseling and Testing Service offers a variety of resources. Any ISU student enrolled in at least one credit can take advantage of these free and confidential counseling services.
The UCTS provides individual, group and couple counseling, as well as biofeedback therapy.
Common concerns students face are depression, self-esteem issues, sexual orientation and gender identity, self-harm or academic difficulties.
These problems can be addressed through the method of counseling that students and their counselors decide is best for them.
“The student is in charge,” said Dr. Cameron Staley, group and biofeedback coordinator, emphasizing the control clients have over their own treatment. “We’re really there to help with whatever goals they have.”
There are several options for students interested in attending group counseling sessions. The Understanding Self and Others group may help students who struggle in relationships or feel negatively about themselves. The Dialectical Behavior Therapy group, ideal for students wrestling with intense emotions or impulsive behavior, teaches emotional regulation, distress tolerance and mindfulness skills.
Individual counseling involves one-on-one discussions with an assigned counselor.
Dr. Rick Pongratz, director of the UCTS, described this process as “enter[ing] into a relationship with a trained professional to gain greater insight into their situation and to develop more effective ways of responding to life experiences.”
The UCTS also offers biofeedback therapy, which involves testing heart rate, breathing and body temperature, then learning skills like progressive muscle relaxation and mindfulness. The goal is to manage stress through monitoring natural biological signals. This service is recommended for students who might not want to discuss their issues in detail but want to alleviate anxiety, headaches or other symptoms.
Any student with a nervous system can benefit from the stress management and biofeedback program according to Staley, including those suffering from asthma, diabetes or hypertension.
Pongratz encouraged all students to take advantage of the free services available to them. Up to 78 percent of clients reported improved academics while in counseling, and over 90 percent of that group indicated that counseling made a moderate to heavy impact on their academic functioning.
“Our highly trained staff is ready to help guide students through this process and help them succeed,” Pongratz said. “The services are free and confidential and there’s nothing to lose.”
Interested students can schedule a short intake appointment, wherein they will speak to UCTS staff about their concerns and goals, then decide what counseling route will best fit them. After the brief chat and about 15 minutes of paperwork, a subsequent appointment can be scheduled.
Since similar services offered elsewhere may cost a considerable amount, said Staley, the services UCTS provides for students are “the best opportunity to get high-quality care for free.”
The UCTS is located on the third floor of Graveley Hall, room 351. The Stress Management and Biofeedback Center is next to the Bengal Pharmacy in the Health Center; interested students should contact the UCTS office in Graveley Hall. Students can call (208) 282-2130 or walk in from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to schedule an intake appointment.
