University Counseling Center: Helping UW Students Deal with Change

By David Cozzens, Director

Sept. 2, 2004 -- "Your college years are the best years of your life. . ." We've all heard this statement, and although being a student is exciting, these years also bring many challenges, choices and change.

Your years in college will be filled with all kinds of opportunity for change and learning, in the form of new knowledge and skills, new relationships, new stressors, new hurdles, just to name a few. Some specific issues that are a part of college life are: transitions of being away from home, living in a new environment, academic demands, grades, new and old relationships, and making decisions about school and the future.

Due to these changes and pressures, students sometimes need someone to talk to who can be objective and where there is privacy and confidentiality. The University Counseling Center (UCC) at the University of Wyoming is a place to talk about these issues and to receive confidential assistance that can go a long way in helping students deal more effectively and accomplish their goals, whether they be personal, academic, interpersonal or otherwise.

To help UW students, UCC offers counseling and psychological services, campus consultation and outreach and substance abuse related services through AWARE (Alcohol Wellness Alternatives, Research and Education). All personal counseling services are confidential and provided by professional staff who are licensed as psychologists, or by supervised doctoral residents who are completing their training and licensing in psychology. Counseling services are free to all enrolled UW students.

Students may receive assistance with problems that interfere with academic progress, daily living, adjustment to university life, or relationship issues. Such assistance is offered through individual, group, or couples counseling, 24 hour crisis intervention services, or brief problem solving sessions. Scheduled appointments are available each weekday, 8 a.m. 5 pm. Services also are provided to students concerned about substance abuse issues, including assessment and referral for treatment.

UCC's consultation and outreach team provides programs that address issues of concern to the UW living/learning environment. Our staff will address such issues as suicide prevention, depression, sexual assault, managing worry and anxiety, stress management, celebration of diversity, and healthy relationships. They offer this assistance though classroom presentations, residence life meetings, or other programs.

As students adjust to college life or encounter personal difficulties that interfere with academic progress, parents, peers, and faculty may play an important role in encouraging them to seek counseling at the UCC. Through brief problem solving, crisis intervention, personal skills development, or on going therapy, students gain resources, knowledge and answers in making choices that move them closer to their academic and personal goals.

Come in and talk with us. For more information, call the UCC at (307) 766-2187 or visit Room 341 in Knight Hall. We can help you make your college years be the best!

Posted on Thursday, September 02, 2004