Six counseling services you did not know existed

BY MICHAELA DENNIS / Executive Director

The counseling services is a program on Tarleton State University’s campus that allows students to seek therapy in person and via telepath. The purpose of their department is to support students through psychological and behavioral development. Here are six additional services that you may not have known the counseling services offer.

1. The first group counseling they offer is, Grief Group. This is for students who have experienced loss. According to West Chester University, group counseling can be beneficial for someone because it reduces the feeling of loneliness and increases the feeling of pain being a normal emotion. Additionally, this type of counseling provides attendees with the comfort of giving and receiving the support they need. To attend these services, they are offered weekly in the Tarleton Wellness Center on Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. beginning Feb. 7. 
2. The second support group the counseling services offer is the Sorta Social Peer Support Community. These services are offered for students who are autistic and want to grow their social capability. This service is unique because its goal is to bring students together who share similar history and struggles. This service is not meant to be a therapeutic session such as the one-on-ones offered. Being able to find someone with a common experience can build community and social skills. The details of these services are not published on the counseling service’s website.
3. The third service offered is the Mental Health First Aid Training (MHFA). Unlike the others, this service will allow any Tarleton student to receive a certification after completion. The course consists of a two hour online portion plus an additional five and a half hour instructor led video course. The purpose of the course is to teach how to be aware of the signs of mental illness and substance abuse, and be able to be a helpful ally for their treatment. Individuals can either register for the adult or youth training, the difference in the training is the demographic you will be trained on. The adult training is offered Feb. 23, March 22, and April 19. The youth training is offered Feb. 9, March 8 and April 5.
4. The fourth training offered is, Red Flags. This training is to teach you how to be aware of alarming signs within romantic relationships and learn about healthy relationships. To attend this training, you must reach out to the counseling services. These sessions will be more interactive and conversational.
5. The fifth workshop is the Unwind Workshop. This workshop is designed to teach you how to allow your brain and body to relax by practicing breathing techniques and relaxing  the muscles within your body. Lastly, this session will teach you how to be grounded and aware.
6. Finally, the last workshop the counseling services offers is the Foundations of Wellbeing Workshop. The purpose of this session is to review the way your daily tasks are impactful to you such as hobbies, relationships, hygiene and more. This workshop is offered per request.

All these services can be found on the counseling page through Tarleton State University’s website.