Services
Counseling Services
CALL 988 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room if you are experiencing a mental
health crisis and need immediate help.
If you would like to text or call someone for support, there are several services
listed under Crisis Services below.
To schedule a counseling appointment, please call the Student Wellness Center at 406.265.3599 or text 406.399.1919. Be sure to leave your name and a number where you can be reached.
Thank you for visiting the Student Wellness Center (SWC) website to learn more about Counseling Services offered at MSU-Northern. Free, confidential counseling is available in person and virtually (telehealth) for students to explore a variety of issues. Whether you are struggling with the changes and transitions of becoming a college student, would like to increase your understanding of yourself or others, are looking to build coping and self-management skills, or just need someone to talk to, counseling can help.
In addition to therapy, Counseling Services staff also facilitate outreach and consultation to MSUN students, faculty, staff, parents, and the greater community.
We are happy that you want to learn about our services and look forward to helping you.
Confidentiality
Counseling staff work with the medical staff in the SWC. Your treatment information may be shared with staff in the SWC when warranted (e.g. when you are seeking an assessment for psychiatric medications). However, your information will not be shared with anyone outside of the SWC staff without your consent in accordance with legal and ethical standards of the State of Montana and the American Counseling Association. Unless you have provided your signed consent, no information can be shared with your parents (if you are a legal adult), professors, coaches, Residential Education staff, partners, etc. This includes whether or not you came to an appointment, the reason you sought services, the content of your sessions, your diagnosis, etc. This information is completely confidential and will not be shared without your permission. Exceptions to confidentiality include:
- 1threat of harm to yourself or others
- disclosure of abuse of minor children or dependent adults
- report of minor children witnessing abuse
- if your counseling records are subpoenaed by a court of law
Individual Counseling
Individual counseling is provided in a safe, confidential environment and can help you address a variety of concerns impacting your academic and/or personal life. Students seek counseling for many reasons including depression, anxiety, panic attacks, loneliness, sleep disturbances, trauma, grief & loss, relationship difficulties, identity confusion/development, academic struggles, and to explore careers and life after graduation, to name a few.
Couples/Relationship Counseling
Relationship counseling is available to students with their partner(s), as long as one person is eligible for services at the SWC.
Substance Abuse Counseling
Currently, there is not a licensed addictions counselor (LAC) on staff, however, an on campus counselor can conduct an initial assessment and make a referral to a licensed provider in the community who will be contracted with the University to provide treatment. At this time, those services are free of charge to you as long as the referral was made through the SWC.
Group Counseling & Workshops
Group therapy is often a positive experience for students to process concerns and address struggles amongst a group of their peers. The dynamic in group therapy more closely resembles life outside of the counseling room and can help participants practice interacting with others, building trust, developing acceptance of others, providing and receiving support and resolving conflict.
Contact the SWC to find out the offerings this semester or to make a specific request.
Outreach
Counseling staff provide outreach to the MSUN community on a variety of issues. Presentations and workshops have been developed on topics as requested by faculty, coaches, Resident Assistants, on and off campus clubs, and others including:
- Anxiety
- Bystander Intervention (Step Up)
- Communication
- Conflict Management
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Depression
- Mindfulness
- Safe Zone LGBTQ+ Awareness & Ally training
- Stress Management
- Suicide Prevention (QPR Gatekeeper Training)
- Time Management
If you have interest in a topic and it is not listed, please email amber.spring@msun.edu to discuss additional offerings.
Consultation & Referrals
Counseling staff are often asked to provide consultation regarding mental health issues or to assist students struggling or managing crises. Friends, parents, faculty and staff may consult with our staff when they are concerned about a student. Staff can take information and provide guidance as to how to help a student. However, staff may not share information about a student being seen in the SWC to anyone without their consent.
One way to report concerns you have about a student is by submitting a CARE Report.
Referrals: some students prefer to see a provider off campus. The Bright App is a resource to find a behavioral health providers in Montana, including in person and virtual services.
If you need assistance in finding a provider, our staff would be happy to assist you: 406.265.3599
FAQ's
What can I expect?
In the first session of therapy, called an intake appointment, the counselor usually asks questions about the concerns that have brought you in for counseling, as well as, questions about your past and current life experiences. You may also discuss strategies you have used in the past and whether they have been helpful. This information is helpful in determining the course of treatment. It is important to communicate your goals for therapy with your counselor – how do you want things to be different in your life? Together you will make a plan for the next steps.
It is important to be as open and honest as you can be. People often have a difficult time telling a complete stranger their life stories, thus it is the therapist’s job to create an environment where people feel safe and are able to share their personal information. Understand that therapy is usually not a quick fix to a problem, but rather a process.
At the Student Wellness Center, counseling sessions are 45-50 minutes and start on the hour. Sessions are typically scheduled weekly or every other week depending on individual needs and counselor availability. Depending on staffing, students may be limited to 12 sessions per academic year.
Am I eligible for services?
Students who are enrolled in at least 1 credit are automatically assessed the Student Health fee of $54 per semester and are eligible to receive counseling services.
What about medications?
Counseling staff cannot prescribe psychiatric medications, however, they can make referrals to a medical provider. Two mid-level providers take office visit appointments in the SWC twice a week and are able to provide an evaluation and discuss medications. The providers can also assist in medication management – monitoring and refilling medications students had previously. If warranted, they may refer a student to a specialized psychiatric provider in the community*.
*Services received by providers in the community are not covered by your Student Health Fee, thus you will need to utilize health insurance or pay out of pocket.
Crisis Services
CALL 988 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room if you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need immediate help. If you would like to text or call someone for support, there are several services listed below:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline/Crisis Counseling (24 hour)
1-800-273-TALK(8255)
National Crisis Text Line (24 hour)
text “MT” to 741741
24/7 Community Resource line
text 211 or go to: https://montana211.org/
LGBTQIA+ Students
text "START" to 678678
Students of Color (24 hour)
text "STEVE" to 741741
The Strong Hearts Native Helpline
1-844-762-8483
Veteran's Lifeline (24 hour)
1-800-273-TALK(8255) extension 1
text to 838255
Internship Opportunities
Counseling Services has worked with counseling education graduate programs to provide supervision and experience in a college counseling center for graduate students in their internship course. Please contact counseling staff at the SWC or faculty in the MSUN graduate program for further information.
Online Resources
Anxiety HelpGuide: This website provides information about the types of anxiety disorders, symptoms, and self-management strategies.
Anxiety - what is it?: Check out this video to learn more about the symptoms of anxiety.
Depression HelpGuide: This website provides information about depression symptoms, treatment and living in recovery.
Eating Issues/Body Image:Learn more about eating disorders, disordered eating and body image and how to get help and services.
Help a Friend: Is your friend going through a tough time? Seize the Awkward's website can help you learn the signs to watch for and how to start a conversation with someone you are concerned about. Submitting an MSUN CARE Referral may help connect your friend with the support and resources they need (see CARE Referral under Campus Resources below).
Mind/Body Connection for Students: College is the perfect time to “find your Zen” or a sense of physical and mental balance. This website offers many styles of meditation, movement and other holistic health techniques.
Sleep: Healthy sleep is imperative to good health and well-being. Practicing good sleep hygiene and sticking to a schedule help most people with sleep issues. Contact Student Health if you would like to visit with a professional about your sleep issues.
Stress Management HelpGuide:Learn about the importance of balance and ways to manage stress effectively that work best for YOU!
TalkCampus: A safe place to talk anonymously with students from around the world going through the same struggles as you - any time of day, anywhere in the world. Download TalkCampus for free on the App Store or Google Play and sign-in using your student email address (__.__@students.msun.edu). This app also provides self-directed learning modules on common mental health issues such as depression, social anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, OCD, health anxiety and PTSD.
Campus Resources
ASMSUN Food Pantry
CARE Referral: If you have a concern about a student and it is not an emergency, you may consider filling out a CARE Report (www.msun.edu/carereport). Staff, faculty, students, concerned friends and family and community members can communicate concerns about MSUN students with a CARE Report. Referrals vary in nature, but can include academics, issues with engagement, concerns with basic needs (food, housing, finances), support for mental/emotional concerns or physical health issues, or physical safety. A member of the CARE Team will follow up on your referral to offer support and help connect the student with campus and community resources.
Office of Diversity Inclusion & Equity
Title IX Coordinator (to report discrimination, sexual harassment, stalking, sexual assault)