Services
This section outlines services offered by the Counseling Service and how to access services. But first, let's start with a look at what counseling is and how it can be helpful to you.
Introduction to Counseling
What is counseling?
Counseling provides a supportive environment in which to talk openly and confidentially about personal issues and to work toward changes in one's thoughts, feelings, behavior, relationships, and/or life situation.
Counseling is a collaborative process which involves the development of a unique helping relationship. In this relationship, the counselor acts as a skilled facilitator in helping the client identify and achieve desired changes.
The client's own effort and initiative are critical to this process, much as an athlete's performance depends on his or her hard work as well as on the coach's expertise and support. Along with resolving initial personal concerns and making desired changes, counseling can lead to enhanced coping and stress management skills, a clearer and more integrated sense of personal identity, stronger interpersonal skills and healthier relationships.
What kinds of issues can I discuss?
You may discuss any personal concern with one of the counselors. Students bring a wide variety of issues to the Counseling Service. Concerns frequently discussed include:
- Relationships
- Family issues
- Life decisions
- Feelings of depression or anxiety
- Sexuality
- Eating disorders
- Drug/alcohol abuse
- Sexual assault or childhood sexual abuse
- Loss and grief
Many issues also impact students' academic performance and this may be important to discuss in counseling as well. However, if your concerns are largely academic rather than personal in nature, you would probably benefit most by first seeking help from the Student Academic Support Center, Student Support Services, or your academic adviser.
If your concerns center around your major, career path, or job search, you would be best served by consulting with the Career Center and your academic adviser. The focus of the Counseling Service is on helping students with a wide array of personal issues, although these certainly overlap at times with academic and career issues.
Who are the counselors?
The staff consists of qualified, trained professionals with advanced degrees in counseling and other mental health disciplines. Current staff are:
| Pam Torresdal, Ph.D. | Stuart Johnston, M.S., LMHC, NCC |
| Licensed Psychologist | Licensed Mental Health Counselor |
| Director | |
| Marty Steele, M.S., LMHC, NCC | Mary Cannady |
| Licensed Mental Health Counselor | Administrative Assistant |
Who can use the counseling service?
Any full- or part-time student currently enrolled at Luther College may use our services. Counseling is free, voluntary, and confidential. Counseling is available when classes are in session during the regular academic year. The Counseling Service is closed during the summer.
How do I see a counselor?
Visit the Counseling Service, Larsen Hall (courtyard entrance). We are open from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, when classes are in session. Our secretary will ask you to complete two brief questionnaires that include your contact information, your schedule, and basic information about what brings you to counseling and how you are feeling/functioning at present. She will then make an appointment for you to meet with a counselor as soon as possible.
You can do all of this within 10 to 15 minutes. Most students are able to see a counselor within a week. Same-day appointments are available for emergency situations.
When demand for counseling is quite strong, we may have a wait list for new clients. In the past, we have usually been able to get most students off the wait list and into counseling within two weeks, although time on the wait list has been longer for students who have very few free times. When we have a wait list, we continue to offer same-day appointments for emergency situations.
For more information about arranging a counseling appointment, call the Counseling Service at (563) 387-1375 during office hours.
If you need immediate help for yourself or a friend at night, on a weekend, or during a break period, learn about crisis resources.
What happens next?
During the first meeting, you and your counselor will explore your current concerns and the changes you desire. You will decide together whether the Counseling Service is the resource that will best meet your needs and help you achieve your goals or whether another resource would be more appropriate. Most students continue with individual or group counseling at the Counseling Service.
Generally, our office is able to provide short-term counseling of up to 10 to 15 sessions. Referral to off-campus mental health resources may be necessary for certain issues requiring more intensive, specialized or longer term counseling.
Who will know?
The Counseling Service staff regard your contacts with us and the issues you discuss as private and confidential. We will not share information with anyone outside the Counseling staff without your informed consent.
The only exceptions to this policy occur in specific situations involving danger of serious harm to you or others. For more information, read the Counseling Service Policy on Confidentiality.
Services
Individual Counseling:
Many students meet with a counselor on a one-to-one basis, usually weekly, to work through personal concerns. Nearly all students are seen within one semester. The average number of sessions that clients attend is about seven.
Group Counseling:
Counseling in a small group setting offers a broad range of insight, support, and change strategies from peers and professional counselors. Some groups deal with general concerns; others have a more specific focus such as recovery from sexual assault, grief work, stress management, or test anxiety. Learn more about group counseling and upcoming support groups.
Referral
Students may be introduced to on- or off-campus resources which offer more or different services from those available in the Counseling Service. Learn about off-campus mental health services.
Consultation
Operating within the guidelines of our confidentiality policy, counselors are available for consultations with faculty, staff, parents, and friends in regard to concerns about students. Click here for more information about how to help a student about whom you are concerned.
Education
Workshops are available throughout the year to assist students with various personal development, skill-building or interpersonal issues.
Psychological Disabilities
If you have been in treatment for significant psychological problems, you may meet the criteria for having a "psychological disability" and may be eligible for "reasonable accommodations," as set forth in the 1990 American With Disabilities Act. To explore this further, contact Disability Services in the Student Academic Support Center. You may also consult with a member of the Counseling Service staff, who can help you connect with Disability Services.