Individual Counseling
The experience of being a college student can be very exciting, however, the challenges of academics, being away from home, learning more about who you are, new social experiences, and more can also create significant stress at times. Individual counseling can be a great benefit to help a student cope with these very common stressors. Almost anyone may benefit from individual counseling. Some of the common concerns Westminster students bring to counseling include:
- Symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression
- College adjustment issues such as homesickness, academic problems, and long-distance relationships
- Interpersonal difficulties, including roommate conflicts, family problems, romantic relationship concerns, problems with assertiveness, and other issues
- Bereavement and grief related to the loss of a loved one (such as relationship breakups, deaths, parental divorce, or other major losses)
- Questions/confusion about identity, self-image, sexuality, gender, or religious concerns
- Concerns about body image, food, eating, or weight, as well as treatment for eating disorders
- Experience with sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, abuse, or other trauma
- Thoughts of suicide, death, or hurting others
- Behaviors that can be harmful to you, like drug or alcohol abuse or cutting
Our counselors are trained to intervene or provide support for a countless number of issues, far too many to list in any comprehensive way. While counseling might be helpful in numerous situations, there are some conditions in which we would strongly encourage you to seek counseling services:
- You are unhappy on most days or feel a sense of hopelessness
- You worry excessively or are constantly on edge
- You are unable to concentrate on your schoolwork or other activities
- You are unable to sleep at night or constantly feel tired
- You have experienced a change in your appetite or your weight
- You have experienced a loss (e.g., a relationship breakup, a parent's death)
- You have increased your use of alcohol or other drugs (including cigarettes)
- You feel overwhelmed by what is going on in your life
- You are having thoughts about hurting yourself or someone else