Yes. Counseling Services offers Telemental health sessions via Microsoft Teams, this includes a video/audio service that is confidential and HIPAA compliant. Telemental Health Sessions are available to currently enrolled MSSU students who are physically residing in Missouri at the time of service. Currently enrolled MSSU students who reside outside of Missouri will be offered consultation services to help find appropriate referrals in their area. For more information, email counselingservices@mssu.edu.
Counseling is a confidential process in which you meet with a trained professional, who can help you sort out issues, weigh and balance decisions, and formulate personal plans. Once your personal goals are clear, a counselor will help you find the strategies most helpful in achieving your goals. Our Counseling Services staff strive to create a non-judgemental environment filled with compassion, where you can be yourself and where you can explore your thoughts and feelings. Here a counselor will help you work through the tough times, while investing in your hopes and dreams.
Many students experience emotional distress during college. This can interfere with their academic performance. Overall, the most commonly identified problems are self-esteem, identity, relationships, anxiety, stress, grief, depression, and family issues, yet there is a wide range of other issues that students cope with as well. All concerns and conversations are welcome.
Prior to your appointment you will receive an email with direction on how to complete a Student Data Form. During the first meeting with a counselor, you will be given an opportunity to describe your concerns and what you hope to gain from counseling. In addition, your counselor may ask several background questions to more fully understand your situation and ways to help you. This is an opportunity for you and the counselor to decide whether, Counseling Services is the best place for you to become your best self. After this meeting, you may decide to continue counseling and may schedule follow-up appointments for individual counseling. If more appropriate for your concerns, you may be referred to another resource, either on or off campus. Our office works closely with the Willcoxon Health Center for all medical referrals.
Individual counseling sessions are typically 50 minutes in length; the amount of time you spend in counseling is determined by your own needs. Your counselor is committed to providing services that meet your needs in a timely and effective manner.
We operate under a brief, time-limited approach to counseling, which presumes most concerns can be successfully addressed in a limited time frame. Session limits and a wait list of 1-2 weeks may apply and if needed, referrals to additional resources may be given as appropriate.
If you are 18 years of age or older, you are no longer considered a minor. Therefore, your records will be kept confidential and not spoken about with anyone, without your written permission. Although, if we are concerned you present an immediate and imminent psychological or physical danger to yourself/others, or in cases of child/elder abuse or neglect, or in the rare instances when a court of law would subpoena the student's records.
We are here for any student who is struggling with concerns in their lives. Every currently enrolled student is welcome to seek our free services. All conversations and concerns are welcome.
We encourage students who are not sure to come in and give it a try. One visit may be all that is needed to gain a new perspective on a problem or to find out another resource that could be more helpful. However, more sessions may be needed depending on the concerns of the individual. Most of the time, students find that the whole experience is helpful and a rewarding investment in themselves.
