Southwestern University: Gateways: Parents: Orientation: Handbook: Counseling Services

Parent Handbook

Counseling Services

Counseling Services provides free, confidential, short-term counseling regarding personal issues. Southwestern students may seek counseling for a wide variety of concerns, including adjustment to college, making friends, motivation, depression, anxiety, sexuality, body image, eating disorders, sexual assault, alcohol or drug abuse, stress management, bereavement, family issues or romantic relationships. Counseling Services staff members also offer outreach programs, group counseling and referrals to off-campus professionals for psychiatric medications and long-term counseling. While the counselors at Southwestern represent varied areas of expertise and diverse personal backgrounds, they all have training in helping college students grow through the personal problems they occasionally encounter.

FAQ

What can parents do if a time comes when they have concerns about their student’s emotional welfare?

Parents are welcome to call Counseling Services to talk with a counselor about their student. Because of state laws on confidentiality, the counselor typically cannot disclose whether their student is a client, but can listen to the parents’ concerns and help them explore various strategies for offering support and assistance.