Services

Cost | Counseling at MVNU | Crisis Intervention | Who Seeks Counseling

Our services exist to provide the student community with a range of professional counseling and consultation options. Our philosophy is built on the assumption that counseling must address the whole person as a physical, rational, sexual, emotional, social and spiritual being. Therefore, our goal is to promote personal wholeness, specifically in the areas of personal and/or relational difficulty, which might interfere with a student's academic or vocational goals. We also provide consultative and educational services to members of the larger Mount Vernon Nazarene University community.

What Does It Cost?

Absolutely nothing. Services are free to Mount Vernon Nazarene University students.

What Does Counseling at MVNU Offer?

Our staff provides counseling for individuals, couples and groups (including roommate and apartment situations). If desired, and workable, we will meet with a student and his or her family. We also provide a referral system that includes medical assessment, psychiatric evaluation, and testing. Students desiring counseling off campus can be referred from our office. However, any cost incurred for these services must be paid by the student.

The Counseling and Career Center provides premarital counseling for engaged couples. Couples will meet with a counselor for several weeks to discuss their relational strengths and explore areas where further growth is advised. A summary letter can be sent to the couple's minister if needed.

In addition to counseling, the Counseling and Career Center will offer skill-building support groups and workshops on topics such as procrastination, shyness, and stress management. Such groups, scheduled throughout the entire academic year, provide a structured presentation of information and skills practice appropriate to the student's personal development and academic success.

Crisis Intervention

Regular office hours are 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. If a crisis situation occurs during these hours, please contact our secretary at ext. 4610 who will then notify one of our counselors so you can be seen as quickly as possible. After office hours or on weekends, during the school term, contact your RA, RD or Campus Security at ext. 4000. They will contact the counselor who is on call.

Who Comes To Counseling?

Students who seek counseling are people who are interested in growing and learning more about themselves, their relationships with others, and their relationship with God. Individual counseling often includes assisting students in overcoming their current personal and educational concerns. Counseling can also provide a preventative function by helping students anticipate situations that may hinder their growth and by planning constructive interventions. Examples of issues addressed in counseling are:

Academic Problems	Obsessive/compulsive disorder
Alcohol or drug abuse	Panic Disorder
Anger management	Post-traumatic distress
Anxiety	Premarital and marital counseling
Assertiveness	Pregnancy
Depression	Rape
Eating Disorders	Relationships - family, friends, and dating
Family Problems	Sexual issues
Grief	Sexual or physical abuse
Homesickness	Social/interpersonal conflicts
Learning difficulties	Stress management
Low self-esteem