All students of CSU-Pueblo who pay student fees are eligible for 8 free sessions with a counselor per semester. These students are also eligible for 8 free Acudetox visits, and innumerable sessions with the Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
What could I expect with my first session?
There is paperwork for you to fill out. It is getting a history on you, how you are feeling now and telling you the expectations of the therapist - and of you. Then you talk with the therapist to establish a relationship. Expect them to ask about your safety: Are you thinking about wanting to harm yourself or anyone else. Be Honest. The therapist can't help you if you don't tell them the truth. By the end of the session, which is usually 55 minutes, you will have given the therapist an idea of what you want to work on and you will establish a way to do it.
Is this confidential?
The Student Counseling Center is governed by HIPAA (Health Information Portability and Accountability Act) and FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). The only thing that can be shared without a signed release form you is if you are suicidal with an active plan, homicidal with an active plan, child abuse or elder abuse reports. No one is allowed to know that you have come to the Counseling Center without your permission. Even if you are under the age of 18. The laws state that at the age of 16, we do not need parental permission to talk with you or to give you medication.
What is therapy?
Therapy is a complicated process. It can be many things to many different people. The textbook definition is "treatment with the intention to heal or alleviate disorder." We use talk therapy here as well as Acudetox, Acupressure seeds and Animal Assisted Therapy. Therapy is a time for you to talk about what is going on for you/to you, and for you to feel safe sharing these experiences. Your therapist will work with you to help guide you through the process of resolving these issues. The answers are in you: you just need help to find them.
What type of issues can you help with?
What might be a better question is what type of issue CAN'T be helped in therapy? There are none. Therapy helps with depression, anxiety, PTSD, mania, ADD, Asperger's, Autism, suicidal thoughts, abuse, psychotic disorders, homesickness, coping with a breakup, bullying, discrimination, feelings that you don't belong, etc.. Whatever your issue, therapy can help you look at it an work on it.
Do I have to take medication?
Easy answer is NO. No one other than a judge can force you to take medication. Sometimes, however, they are recommended to help you work through your issue. You can meet with the Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner to be evaluated for medications.It is always your right to not take medications and to change your mind later and stop them or start them.
How do I make an appointment?
Just call the Counseling Center, Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm at 719-549-2838. and ask for an appointment. We can do in-person sessions or sessions via Zoom, whichever fits you best. Our staff includes Licensed Professional Counselors, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Masters of Social Work Intern, A psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Where are you located?
We have just relocated to the Center for Integrated Health and Human Inquiry building (formerly the Psychology Building). We are on the main floor in room 174. The door is unlocked from 8am to 5pm. You don't need to knock: just come in. We have a quiet room if you need time to just get away, a fish tank to stare at and relax and a space to study.
What if I don't fit with the counselor I am assigned?
Not everybody works well with everybody. It is not a failure on either part. All you need to do is let us know, and we can transfer you to another therapist. You do not need to feel guilty about it.
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