Counseling Center

The Counseling Center staff utilizes a client-centered, solution-focused approach to counseling. This approach emphasizes a focus on strengths and establishing specific treatment goals. clinicians work with students to develop effective problem-solving and healthy coping skills. If you or your counselor conclude that your situation requires longer-term work, your counselor may recommend a referral to an outside counseling agency or other options. Our therapy model may not adequately serve students with long-standing concerns or require intensive case and crisis management needs. In these cases, a clinician will work with you to find appropriate referrals to community agencies specializing in specific mental health concerns.

The center is only able to meet with students who are physically located in the state of Utah. If you are out of state and need a referral, email Erin Gibson (egibson@westminsteru.edu) for resources in your area. If you are interested in establishing new individual counseling, email the center (CCfrontdesk@westminsteru.edu) to get set up for an intake appointment.

Current Group Offerings

Our clinicians are able to diagnose mental health disorders and write letters of support for specific student needs. 

Letters we write:    

• Support for students seeking accommodation through disability services
• WPATH for students seeking surgical intervention for gender transition
• Housing exemption (if the request pertains to a mental health diagnosis)

Letters we do not write:  

• Psychological testing, IQ testing, or ADHD evaluations
• Authorize emotional support or service animals
• Provide court-ordered evaluations or treatment

Students seeking an advocacy letter must engage in individual counseling sessions for as long as it takes to complete the assessment process, reach a diagnosis, and establish the impact of the diagnosis on a student’s ability to complete daily life activities. Students are not guaranteed a diagnosis or a letter after concluding the assessment process.

Please email the Counseling Center (CCfrontdesk@westminsteru.edu) for more information.

The Counseling Center offers assessment, early intervention, support, and counseling for those struggling with their own or someone else's alcohol/drug abuse problem. Referrals to off-campus clinicians/agencies will be recommended when appropriate.

More help is available from College Drinking, Changing the Culture, which shares myths and facts about alcohol, access to a BAC calculator, and discussions around the consequences of drinking.

The Victim-Survivor Advocate provides free, confidential, and trauma-informed support services to students who have experienced interpersonal violence (e.g., domestic or dating violence, sexual assault or rape, sexual harassment, stalking).

For support, contact Sophia Alcala, Victim-Survivor Advocate, at advocate@westminsteru.edu.

Victim-Survivor Advocate Services

Westminster believes in empowering you to make informed decisions around your healing and justice. The Victim-Survivor Advocate will assist you in navigating any resources, processes, and services that feel relevant and helpful to you:

• Education: Be empowered by learning how trauma impacts your life and well-being. The advocate can provide you with information on the physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual impacts of trauma and help you explore strategies to address these impacts.
• Support: If you decide to report your assault to law enforcement or to Westminster’s Title IX Office, the advocate can provide you with information about those reporting processes.
• Referrals: The advocate can help connect you to campus and community resources, including counseling/mental health support, medical/testing services, and legal/justice services.

If you need additional resources related to sexual assault, please reference Westminster’s Title IX policies and information.

 

Westminster University’s approach to integrated wellness empowers you to live a healthy life, develop confidence, and create your community on campus. Through prevention and intervention programs, you will learn a holistic approach to well-being that will help you discover health, happiness, purpose, and form connections on campus. This program encompasses the 7 dimensions of wellness: social, intellectual, emotional, spiritual, physical, environmental, and financial.

All inquiries, discussions, and services are confidential. Knowledge that you are receiving counseling services, as well as the specific content of your counseling and assessment, is confidential.

Adherence to Ethical Guidelines

The Westminster Counseling Center adheres to the ethical guidelines of the American Psychological Association, National Association of Social Workers, American Counseling Association, and Utah state and local laws. GRAMA and FERPA govern Counseling Center records, and we generally seek to be compliant with HIPAA standards. The center maintains clinical records in a confidential computerized client management system. The center retains a hard copy of some records maintained in secure and locked files.

No one outside of the Counseling Center may have access to counseling information without your prior, express, written permission except for the following, required by law:

• A counselor reports suspected or known abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children or disabled adults
• Cases of imminent danger to self or others to secure your safety or that of others
• A valid subpoena or court order is issued
  • Your counselor may consult with other providers within the Westminster Counseling Center about your situation to provide the best care possible, or for training purposes

 

• College Drinking, Changing the Culture: learn myths and facts about alcohol, access a BAC calculator, and explore discussion of consequences of drinking.

• Anxiety and Depression Association of America: learn detailed information about anxiety and depression, including symptoms, access online videos and brochures, and read others' success stories.
• “What is depression?” (National Institute of Mental Health): learn what depression is, signs and symptoms of depression, types of depression, and treatment options.

It’s completely expected and appropriate to experience fear during situations like the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s also important to know how to manage overwhelming anxiety and keep perspective as the situation unfolds.

The following are resources and tips provided by the Jed Foundation:

• “Talking to Kids About a Coronavirus Crisis” (Child Mind Institute): a resource on how to talk to young people about COVID-19.
• “Supporting #RealCollege Students During COVID-19” (Hope Center): an outline of resources for supporting college students during this crisis.
• “Preparing for COVID-19” (American College Health Association): a guide to help college health staff and campus administrators address COVID-19 on campus.
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) database (WHO): a webpage sharing information on travel, media resources, and research on COVID-19.
• “7 science-based strategies to cope with Coronavirus anxiety” (Jelena Kecmanovic): outlines 7 ways to strategize and cope with COVID-19 anxiety.
• “5 Tips for Managing Stress” (JED Foundation): a resource created by self-care experts sharing ways to get adequate sleep, eat well, and engage in exercise, among other tips for practicing good self-care.

• Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders: get detailed information about eating disorders as well as treatment options.
• National Eating Disorders Association: get easy access to help and support, as well as information and a variety of ways to get involved.

• Tara Brach’s YouTube channel

• University of Georgia Health Center: get tips for managing stress as a college student.

• Headspace offers meditations you can listen to at any time.
• QuietKit offers beginner guided meditations for free.
• The Center for Mindful Self-Compassion has several free guided meditations and exercises.

• Life Values Inventory: a free values clarification and personal development program
• ULifeline: take a quick mental health test from a self-evaluator, which identifies common mental health issues; learn more about mental health issues and the warning signs of emotional distress and suicide; and access emergency contact information and on and off-campus resources.
• Wholehearted Inventory: learn about how you present yourself to the world and notice the areas of strength to live your desired life.

Taking Care of Your Body

Engage in Routine Exercise

You don’t need a gym to get exercise. Some easy ways to get exercise include:

• Free yoga videos on YouTube and other websites
• Going outside and getting fresh air by walking, running, riding your bike, or hiking (while being sure to follow social distancing guidelines)

Get Good Sleep

• Consider investing in a white noise machine or exploring free white noise apps for your electronic devices.
• Go to bed and get up at the same time each day.

Nutrition

• Take time to cook healthy food that you enjoy and increase your water intake.
• Be mindful of increased drug and alcohol consumption being used to cope with stress and boredom.

Build a Routine

Try to maintain consistency in your life as if you were going to work and/or school like you normally would. Some things that may help with this include:

• Writing out your schedule on a board or paper and displaying it prominently
• Going to bed at the same time each night and setting an alarm to get up at the same time each morning, trying to follow the usual routine you did while learning or working on campus
• Creating a diversified list of activities and schedule intentional down time to reflect
• Taking breaks from screens to refrain from being online all day

Address Fears and Doubts

• Practice letting go of the things you cannot change.
• Accept your emotions and reach out to trusted people for support.
• Take a break from social media and the news about COVID-19.

Reflect and Engage in Resiliency Activities

• "Coping With Mental Health During COVID-19 Pandemic” (Amanda McNab): article featuring pointers from Amanda McNab, LSCW, a clinical staff development educator at University of Utah Health and Crisis and Diversion Services.
• Greater Good:
  • The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley has curated many articles to help you during this time.
  • The Greater Good Science Center’s YouTube channel, expressive writing exercise, and self-compassion practice are available to explore.

Sometimes it can be difficult for friends and family to know what to do when a loved one is experiencing difficulties with mental health. Fortunately, there are a variety of resources that can provide information and support to those who want to help.

Friends and Family

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides a helpful outline of what friends and family can do to assist their loved one, including:

• Ways to offer support
• How to talk about mental health
• What to do if you are asked for help
• Ways to get immediate assistance for your loved one

Parents and Caregivers

Other information is available for those who are the guardians of someone experiencing difficulties with mental illness, including:

• What to look for
• What to do
• How to talk about mental health
• How to support your child
• How to get help for your child

• Self-Injury Outreach and Support, a nonprofit outreach initiative: read personal stories, information about coping and recovery, and support for loved ones.

• Westminster’s Title IX policies and resources

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1.800.273.8255
• Seattle University's Counseling and Psychological Services: information about suicide prevention, myths, warning signs, and additional resources
• American Association of Suicidology
• Out of the Darkness Walks: information about the annual walk to raise awareness and funds that allows the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to invest in new research, create educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss
• “If You Are Thinking About Suicide, Read This First”: from Metanoia, a community service by the nonprofit Psych Central Community Connection

Find a Therapist

If you are local and would like to access a therapist in the community, you can find therapists through Psychology Today.

You can also find therapists through the LGBTQ-Affirmative Psychotherapist Guild of Utah's free online directory.

Teletherapy

If you are under self-quarantine or self-isolation due to COVID-19 or are located outside the state of Utah and you would like access to online counseling services, you can access teletherapy sessions (services that do cost money per session) through the following online providers:

• Talkspace
• BetterHelp