In crisis or need immediate support?

See these crisis intervention resources.

Personal Counseling Office

The Student Personal Counseling office welcomes you and wants you to know that we are here and ready to help with a variety of services including online and virtual wellness services and counseling services. College can be stressful. Students may confront a variety of issues that could impede their ability to achieve academically. Academic, social, family, work or financial stress, anxiety, interpersonal concerns, depression, sexuality, substance abuse and other mental health issues that are commonly faced by both traditional-aged and re-entry students.   

While most students cope successfully with life's demands, sometimes these pressures become overwhelming and difficult to manage. Students might feel alone, isolated, helpless and even hopeless. These feelings can easily disrupt academic performance and may result in other harmful behaviors such as missing class, falling behind on assignments, substance abuse, self-harm and other behaviors that negatively impact a student’s success. 

Many common student concerns include:

  • Difficulty in adjusting to college
  • Homesickness
  • Problems with friends, roommates, and/or family members
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Lack of motivation
  • Difficulty in relaxing
  • Concerns about your major, career and/or future
  • Difficulty in concentrating or studying
  • Trouble coping with academic pressures
  • Uncertainties about personal values and beliefs

If you experience or deal with any of these issues or any other stressors, you're urged to make an appointment to talk with a personal counselor. We're here to help you, and YOU matter to us. 

What services are provided?

Personal counseling offers a variety of confidential and free services for Beaver campus students, including:

  • Individual counseling (in-person or tele-health) 
  • Community referrals
  • Programs on topics of well-being
  • Additional counseling and support services, as needed

Basic counseling services are provided at no charge to undergraduate students registered full time (12 credits or more for undergraduates) for the semester in which they are interested in seeking our services. There is a limit to the number of individual counseling sessions for any student in any given year. Fees for certain specialty services may be assessed.

Confidentiality

When it comes to protecting your information, CAPS follows all professional standards and state and federal laws. Information shared with the therapist is held in the strictest confidence consistent with professional and ethical standards and state and federal law. Therapists will not release information without the client's signed consent except in rare instances where sharing is required by law (such as to save a human life, to report child sexual abuse, or to comply with a court order).

Type of Counseling Appointments available

  • Consultation: (30-50 minutes) initial appointment for students to meet with counselor and discuss concerns, get information about on- and off-campus resources, and plan for next steps​
  • Same Day: (30 minute) appointment available same day with no prior scheduling needed for non-emergent concerns​
  • Screening: (30-50 minutes)  follow up appointment to gather more detailed information, identify needs, and plan for next steps​
  • Concise: (30 minute) follow up appointment focused on targeted personalized goals, and problem solving​
  • Traditional: (45-55 minute) follow up appointment, part of on-going, short-term counseling services, scheduled at regular intervals

How do I make an appointment? 

During regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) students seeking routine counseling services are able to use one of the following methods to schedule a meeting with a campus counselor.  

  • Email: [email protected]

  • Click to Register Online.  (password: caps2020)

  • Schedule by phone: 724-773-3951; Jill Bender, Student Affairs Coordinator can assist.

  • In-Person: Stop by the Office of Student Affairs & Engagement located in the Student Union Building, Room 113.   

Virginia Strutt, MA, LPC, student personal counselor
[email protected] 
724-773-3960 

Brenda Schultz, MA, NCC, student personal and career counselor 
[email protected] 
724-773-3961