October 6, 2020Campus, Community, Lifestyle, Student Lifestyle, Students CMU Is Fired Up For Hispanic Heritage Month More
April 28, 2020Academics, Campus, CMU Alumni, College Life, College Living, Student Lifestyle, Students To The 2020 Seniors
April 20, 2020College Living, Student Lifestyle, Students What The Editorial Staff Is Doing In Quarantine
January 11, 2021Men's Style, Student Styles, Style, Style & Beauty, Trend and Beauty, Uncategorized, Women's Style Winter Fashion Trends More
November 25, 2020Campus Fashion, Men's Style, Student Styles, Style, Style & Beauty, Women's Style Zoom Thanksgiving Outfits
November 25, 2020Campus Fashion, Men's Style, Style, Style & Beauty, Women's Style CMU Bookstore Holiday Gift Guide
October 19, 2020Student Styles, Style, Style & Beauty, Trend and Beauty Halloween Costumes: Pet Edition
September 9, 2020Arts & Entertainment, Arts & Entertainment Art Reach is keeping creativity alive through COVID-19 More
January 26, 2021People of Central CMU Softball Player Opens Up About COVID-19, Coping With Uncertainty More
November 9, 2018Archives, Arts & Entertainment, Community, Food & Beverage, Seasonal Issues, Style, Style & Beauty Check out the Spring Issue 2018
October 20, 2014 Campus, Community, Students, Students Counseling Center: The office of free service and support For many students, college is a time for meeting new people, partying and discovering the people we want to be. The last part can often times be confusing, frustrating or downright scary. For anyone struggling with school, personal issues, mental health problems or even relationship difficulties, the Counseling Center is here to help. The Counseling Center at Central Michigan University provides free, time-limited, weekly or bi-weekly counseling services to currently enrolled students. According to the Counseling Center’s website, the goal of the Counseling Center is “to provide services and programs which enable students to develop skills, attitudes, and behaviors essential for personal growth, successful academic progress, and student effectiveness.” Off-campus students can utilize the counseling center just as on-campus students can. The only difference is on-campus students have the added benefit of having counselors in the residence halls. Doctor Ross Rapaport, Ph.D., the director of the center, said the Counseling Center is a confidential resource for students. Anything that is discussed during the one-hour counseling session is protected by doctor-patient confidentiality laws. The Counseling Center will only break confidentiality if a student is suicidal, homicidal or if there have been reports of child abuse, subpoenas or other issues of that nature. “We strive to have a welcoming, friendly, safe space for students to come to if they’re having concerns,” Rapaport said. Doctor Kristie Birchmeire, one of the counselors employed at the center, works with any issues students might have instead of one area of expertise. Birchmeire said those service fees paid out of your tuition are the fees that allows you to obtain free service. She also said the center treats for more than just anxiety and depression. “We work with students who have issues within relationships, work issues (or) anything dealing with academic decisions,” Birchmeire said. The Center provides services for all types of issues, including but not limited to alcohol and drug abuse, bipolar disorder, depression and several others. Birchmeire said the center utilizes a lot of talk therapy and discussions, but they also recommend books or readings to help students or even writing exercises. Sometimes an assessment is given for students to fill out where they can rate or scale themselves. “Sometimes, it might not be something they necessarily talk about,” Birchmeire said. “But then if they read it, it provides a tool to further discuss what’s going on.” The Counseling Center currently employs 10 counselors. They also employ psychologists and social workers in addition to the professional counselors. Birchmeire recommends using the self-help tool on their website where anyone can get help for issues such as anxiety, grief and loss, depression and substance abuse. Urgent appointments are available daily. If a student is having an emergency and needs to be seen immediately, he or she can call the Counseling Center or head right to the office and ask to be seen. If you would like to learn more about the Counseling Center, visit their website or make an appointment for a counseling session. Doctor Ross Rapaport, Ph.D., director of the Counseling Center. (Photo | Jessica Jenkins)