CURRENT STUDENTS
Services Offered
Individual Counseling
Counseling services are confidential and at no additional charge for all enrolled, full-time students.
Therapy is provided to address emotional, behavioral, relational, or other mental health concerns that interfere with academic or personal effectiveness. Some of the concerns that are commonly addressed in therapy at Counseling Services are:
- Help with immediate crisis situations or distress
- Stress
- Mild to moderate depression
- Mild to moderate anxiety
- Adjustment to university or culture
- Relationship concerns (friends, family, roommates, romantic partners)
- Identity concerns (sexual, racial/ethnic, religious, gender, etc.)
- Sexual assault
- Test anxiety, perfectionism, procrastination, and other academic performance concerns
- Grief
Most students’ needs are met in one to six appointments. Referrals to community therapists and providers are recommended and provided in some situations, including longer-term or specialty care.
Group Counseling
Group counseling is one form of treatment offered by Counseling Services. Some groups are focused on special themes, like stress management, identity development, or anxiety and skills building, while others are more general and focus on resolving a range of issues, such as depression, isolation, self-esteem, and relationship problems. For many types of problems, group counseling is the treatment of choice. Groups provide the opportunity to connect with others, find support from peers, and gain the opportunity to observe others solving their problems. Groups are especially helpful in learning to build trust, self-acceptance, intimacy, communication skills, and empathy.
Although groups may differ, they generally meet weekly for 60-90 minutes, include 4 to 10 members, and include one or two professionals who serve as group facilitators. Groups are free to all enrolled students. There is no limit on the number of group sessions a student can attend.
Each group member will be required to sign consent forms prior to receiving any services at Counseling Services. All group members will sign a confidentiality agreement before starting group therapy.
How to Sign Up
Any student may request to be a member of a group. Students may be referred to group counseling by their current counselor or psychologist, or may be referred directly to a group after their initial consultation and intake appointment. Remember, group counseling is not a second-choice intervention. Group counseling offers the opportunity to learn unique skills and/or special interpersonal dimension to counseling. If you are interested in group counseling, contact Counseling Services at 318.257.2488.
Benefits of Group Therapy
- As effective, if not more so, than individual therapy
- Provides multiple perspectives/ideas
- Decreases feelings of loneliness and isolation
- Increases feelings of connection by seeing how others have similar concerns to yours
- Provides an opportunity to learn and practice new relationship skills
- Provides a chance to help others
- Provides opportunities to give and receive honest, respectful feedback to learn new relationship patterns
- Allows you to go at your own pace
- Is an opportunity to practice building fulfilling, connected relationships with peers
Typical Concerns Among Students in Groups
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Discomfort in social situations
- Isolation and loneliness
- Difficulty making friendships
- Difficulty dating
- Individuation – figuring out who you are
- Identity development
- Low self-esteem and confidence
- Shame
- Academic stressors
Medication Management
Medication Management Services are available to students engaged in therapy with a counselor in Counseling Services. A consultation with our Medical Psychologist may be recommended to explore potential physical causes for psychological difficulties, offer clarification on diagnosis, and/or provide medication evaluation. Students are referred to the Medical Psychologist by their Counseling Services practitioner.
If you are looking for a long-term provider for medication management, our staff can help you connect to off campus resources. Call 318.257.2488 to schedule an initial consultation.
Purpose of a Release of Information Form
In order for us to communicate with third parties regarding your treatment, a Release of Information (ROI) must be completed and signed by the client. A Release of Information is a form that must be completed for any protected health information (PHI) to be disclosed to any person or organization besides the client themselves. Without a completed ROI, Counseling Services has limitations to disclosing any of your PHI to other parties.
Ethics Training
Ethics Training is intended to promote awareness of ethical practices on the campus of Louisiana Tech University. Students are reminded of their commitments to integrity, loyalty, leadership and excellence as it pertains to the Tenets of Tech. Students are encouraged to examine their values and cultural beliefs and how ethical decision making is pivotal to their success as a student and citizen of society.
Smart HABITS Academy
The Smart HABITS Academy facilitates the growth and development of students in health, lifestyle, and academic choices. Smart HABITS Academy is ideal for those students that are “at risk” for either academic probation or suspension from the university. This is also ideal for the student that wants to increase their GPA. The Academy is designed to help students set goals in the areas of health issues, study habits, time management, communication, problem solving, and finding purpose in life (career exploration).
Individual assessments are done to determine where you are in both your lifestyle and academic development. Then, individualized activities in each of the HABITS areas will be designed specifically for you to increase your chances of staying at Tech and receiving your diploma. A certificate of completion is given to each student for documentation.
If you are interested in starting the Smart HABITS Academy, call the Counseling Center at 318.257.2488 to make an appointment.
Alcohol and Other Drug Education
As a student you will make choices concerning your use of alcohol or other drugs. You may have already made the choice as to what role alcohol and drugs will play in your life in high school or before. The decision to use will have an impact on your life in many areas including your academics, finances, and your personal well-being. Your decisions in this area will need to be healthy ones. You should always know the facts about your body and what effect addictive substances have on your body and mind.
What are the facts about alcohol and drugs?
It is illegal to drink alcohol before you are 21 years old.
Did you know that you could receive a minor in possession (MIP) charge for simply holding someone’s drink for them? If issued an MIP you could face a possible fine, mandated counseling session, community service hours, or even jail time.
A driver is considered under the influence if his/her Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is 0.08% or higher.
Did you know that you can be issued a DWI for operating not only a motor vehicle, but also any other means of conveyance? A first offense DWI is punishable by a fine of $300 – $1000 and 10 days – 6 months imprisonment (exceptions are in place).
What can counseling offer me and/or my friends?
Drug and alcohol education for sanctions
If you are mandated through Behavioral Standards at Louisiana Tech University to complete Drug and Alcohol Counseling through Louisiana Tech Counseling Services, mention this to your counselor during the initial consultation.