What is personal counseling?

Personal counseling offers guidance and consultation designed to provide students with support and an opportunity to talk about personal, social, and academic matters in a safe, confidential setting.

What's the purpose of personal counseling?

Personal counseling is designed to identify students' strengths and enhance students' personal growth skills in the learning environment.

Why use personal counseling?

Stress factors are frequently associated with college life. You may experience challenges when faced with the rigors of academics as well as new freedoms, exciting and demanding life choices, and a variety of venues for growth and expression.

Or you simply may need to get something off your chest.

Personal counseling can provide support for any of the concerns that could interfere with your personal and/or academic success and satisfaction, academic progress, and social development at Penn State.

Some of the more common concerns include difficulty with friends, roommates, or family members; depression and anxiety; sexual identity issues; lack of motivation; difficulty in relaxing, concentrating, or studying; eating disorders; sexual assault and sexual abuse recover; and uncertainties about personal values and beliefs.

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 our personal counselor. We're here to help you.

What services are provided?

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

  • Individual counseling
  • Community referrals
  • Programs on topics of well-being
  • Additional counseling and support services, as needed

How is student confidentiality protected?

  • All information shared between the student and the counselor is strictly confidential.
  • All calls and requests for information are strictly confidential.
  • No contacts are made without the student's written permission, unless the student is a risk to himself/herself or others.

How do I make an appointment for personal counseling?

To schedule a confidential, one-on-one appointment with the campus counselor, please contact Brenda Schultz, MA, student personal and career counselor, at [email protected] or 724-773-3961. 

You may also contact the Office of Student Affairs at 724-773-3951 or 724-773-3959. Students are also welcome to schedule in person with Jill Bender, Administrative Assistant, Office of Student Affairs, 113-I SUB, or Billie Brown, Staff Assistant, Student Affairs/Residence Life, 113-J SUB.