For the most current counseling services available please contact the Office of Student Services in the Forum at 749-2123.

Community Counseling Services

Seasons Center for Community Mental Health
749-2123

Plains Area Mental Health Services
712-225-2575

Crisis Hotlines

Plains Area
888-546-0730

Seasons Center
800-242-5101

Counseling Services
Client Information and Counseling Office Policies

What is Counseling?
Counseling Services
Quality Services
Confidentiality
Making appointments
Where is the counseling office located?
Fees
Can anyone use the counseling service?
How do I know if I should see a counselor?
What can I do to benefit more from counseling?

What is counseling? (back to top)

Counseling is a process by which people who are dissatisfied with some aspects of their lives enter into a relationship with a trained professional to gain greater insight into their situation and to develop more effective ways of responding to life experiences. Counseling provides a safe, confidential environment to help a person understand themselves more fully, make their own choices, and become more self-reliant. The counseling process may entail emotional pain, stress, and life change. Although counseling helps most people, it is not always or completely effective. Progress is improved when the client is motivated to look at and resolve issues over time.

The first visit to the Counseling office will be a time for you and your counselor to explore personal concerns and help identify appropriate counseling services, whether in the BVU Office or at a community agency. Some concerns may require more long-term or specialized treatment, in which case, an appropriate referral will be determined. Referrals to other community resources may be suggested if the issues are outside the expertise of the counselor. During times when the counseling schedule is filled, it may be necessary to place you on a waiting list and you will be scheduled into the earliest available opening for a regular counseling session. If you need more immediate service or are feeling like you can’t wait please discuss this with the counselor or staff upon making the appointment.

• Counseling is a process that is intended to help people take more effective control of their daily lives. It is a process of sharing thoughts and feelings in confidence with someone who is objective and is also a good listener.
• Counseling is cooperative. Counselors do not solve people's problems, but rather they serve to enhance the efforts the person is already making, whether that be through discussing new approaches to solving a problem, giving needed information, helping to clarify thoughts and feelings, or just through listening.
• Counseling is self-improvement. The reasons people come to counseling are as varied as the individuals involved. Some of the reasons include: a desire to increase self-confidence, clarify values and priorities, cope with stress, overcome depression, improve relationships with friends and family, improve motivation, become more assertive. In other words, counseling can be a way to improve oneself--a positive and healthy step toward greater self-awareness and change.
• Counseling is preventive. The cognitive, emotional, and behavioral modifications achieved through counseling can continually be applied to new life situations, safeguarding against the future development of serious problems, and enhancing coping strength when problems arise.

The BVU Counseling Office provides confidential, short-term, high quality services. The following statement of Client Rights and Policies of the Counseling Office is our commitment to providing quality professional services.

Counseling Services: (back to top)
The Buena Vista University Counseling Center serves BVU students, faculty and staff. Students receive priority service. If long-term services are required, referrals to other mental health agencies will be made. Students may request services off campus as an alternative to on-campus counseling. Payment for off-campus service is the responsibility of the student.

Quality of Service:(back to top)
Quality of Service is a high priority for the Buena Vista University Counseling Office. Therefore, grievances will be heard as constructive criticism. The following procedure is in place for student to file formal or informal grievances.

1. Report a grievance to the counselor
2. If no action has been taken or no reply is made by the counselor, contact the Dean of Students in person and in writing detailing your complaint.
3. If no action has been taken or no reply is made by the Dean, contact the Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services.
4. If no action has been taken or no reply is made by the Vice President, contact the University President.

Confidentiality:(back to top)
According to federal and state law, information given to the counselor(s) is privileged and cannot disclosed without the students written consent. Written counseling files are kept separate from academic files.
Exceptions to Confidentiality: Legal and ethical exceptions to confidentiality are required by the counselor under the following conditions:

1. When there is a clear and present danger of harm to a student, staff or faculty or another person. In these circumstances, the counselor is legally required to take action to protect the safety of students, staff and faculty. Thus, actions in these circumstances may include arranging for voluntary or involuntary hospitalization, as well as notifying law enforcement authorities and/or family/friends/individuals at risk.
2. In the case of apparent child abuse or abuse of a vulnerable dependent adult, the counseling office is legally required to report the abuse to the Department of Human Services Child Protective Services and/or other appropriate county and/or state authorities.
3. When a court order has been summoned for information.
4. When an emergency poses a serious health threat to the client or another person(s).
5. When it otherwise must be reported by law.

What about the student workers at the front desk—Will they know that I am seeing the counselor? The Department of Student Services does employ students. Student employees for Student Services do not have access to the counseling schedule, records, and are required to be confidential and professional on all matters relating to the Counseling Center. Students seeing the counselor do not need to check in with the front desk, they only need to talk with the counselor directly or the Office Manager. Only the counselor handles confidential records. If the counselor has a “Do Not Disturb” sign on her door, please wait in the lobby and she will present herself when she is available. Where is the Counseling Office Located?(back to top)
The Counseling Office is located within the Department of Student Services in the West Corridor of the Harold Walter Siebens Forum.

Fees:(back to top)
There is no charge for counseling services.

Can anyone use the Counseling Center Services? (back to top)

The BVU Counseling Center serves current and prospective BVU students. Faculty and staff may be seen for a limited consultation and/or referrals.

How do I know if I should see a counselor? (back to top)
(adapted from Minnesota State University--Moorhead Counseling Center page)

You can use Counseling Center services without having to have a "problem". Maybe you'd just like to get some friendly guidance in helping yourself grow. However, here are some common reasons you might see a counselor:

1. When you have questions about yourself and your life that loom large and might benefit from supportive, objective input.
2. When the pressures and stresses seem too much and you know you're not handling things well. (For example: you're uncertain about a career or life direction)
3. When you're down and blue and/or fatigued and these symptoms just don't go away. Insomnia and poor appetite may accompany these symptoms.
4. When you can't concentrate or study very well continuously for more than a week.
5. If you know you're bingeing, purging, or eating very little.
6. When your current study habits and strategies just don't seem to do the job.
7. When you and your intimate other, special friend, or roommate are having problems with each other.
8. When you know you've had or are having family problems that are affecting you negatively now (For example: emotional, physical or sexual abuse and their effects)
9. When you know you don't communicate well in relationships, or, feel you need to be either more assertive or less aggressive than you are.
10. If you wonder about or believe you may be abusing alcohol or other drugs.
11. If you'd like to develop better relaxation, time management, and stress management skills or more constructive and positive thinking skills, effective study strategies, communication and decision-making skills than you already have.

Here are some of the typical issues college students face:
mood control - anxiety and depression
relationships concerns
family issues
body and food related concerns
adjustment and life transitions
sexual and gender concerns
substance abuse
academic issues and/or major
career
values
grief and loss
trauma and crisis intervention
abuse (sexual, physical, and emotional)
emotional and mental health
self-esteem
interpersonal communications
time and stress management
other issues

When everyday problems affect your ability to function (sleep, eat, attend class, be in relationships, crying often, etc), it means the problem is taking over you. Ask yourself, “What is the worst thing that will happen if I try counseling?” It may not work, right? If you want the problem to get better and you give 100% of yourself to the process, you will be amazed at the results.

What can I do to benefit most from counseling?(back to top)

• Be ready to focus on a specific problem or issue, and to set clear and specific goals
• Attend your sessions regularly and take an active part in them
• Talk about what is bothering you as openly and honestly as you can
• Complete any tasks or homework assignments that you might be asked to do
• Be open to trying new or different approaches to dealing with your concerns.
• Talk openly with your counselor about your progress in counseling. Your counselor is most interested in you benefiting from counseling.
• Apply your new insights and growth in your daily activities.