What happens at the Counseling & Student Development Center

(CSDC)Division of Student Affairs &

Enrollment Management

Our LocationOur Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm

Campus Life Building 200 (815)753-1206

We welcome and serve all enrolled students of NIU!

www.niu.edu/csdc

Our Services• Walk-in Services

– Students needing assistance with personal concerns or crisis situations can walk-in to our center and meet with a CSDC staff member.

• Individual counseling– Based on a short-term model, where a student receives

approximately 2-14 sessions; with most students being seen 8 times.

• Group counseling– Approximately 6-8 students meeting face to face to work through personal struggles together.

• Assessments– We offer assessments for substance abuse and anger intervention issues.

• Crisis & consultation services– During office hours, a CSDC staff member is available to assist with emergencies and/or crisis

situations. Students are encouraged to come into CSDC for a walk-in appointment or call 815-753-1206.

Walk in Services

Walk-in Hours: Monday – Friday 11:00am - 3:30pm

The first counseling session is called an Intake. The intake consists of completing about 20 minutes of paperwork (obtain relevant background information) and meet with a member of our staff for approximately 40 minutes to discuss your concerns and talk about how to best meet your needs.

At the conclusion of the Intake, a counselor will discuss appropriate counseling treatment and any other recommendations that can assist you in resolving your concerns.

Recommendations may include referrals to workshops, group counseling, psychiatric services, or to other campus and off-campus services.

Individual Counseling

• The student will discuss the goals and length of counseling with her/his assigned counselor.

• Counseling at CSDC is based on a short-term model, which means we develop strategies to address student goals and then determine approximate number of sessions necessary to meet those goals.

Group Counseling• Approximately 6-8 individuals meet face-

to-face with one or more group therapists to talk about what is troubling them.

• Members also give feedback to each other by expressing their own feelings about what someone says or does. This interaction gives group members an opportunity to try out new ways of behaving and to learn more about the way they interact with others.

• What makes this situation unique is that it is a closed and safe environment. Information shared during a group session is confidential; what people talk about or disclose is not discussed outside the group.

Assessments

• Substance Use Assessment

• Anger Intervention

Eating Disorder Assessment

On-Call & Consultation Services

After-hours and on the weekends, an on-call counselor is available & can be accessed by calling the NIU Department of Public Safety at 815-753-1212.

The Department of Public Safety will obtain your name and phone number, then contact the on-call counselor. The on-call counselor will then contact you directly.

Students, faculty, or staff can call for emergency consultation & crisis intervention services.

Problems commonly reported by college students

While some students may resolve issues on their own, counseling may be helpful if you have ongoing concerns, such as:

Relationship problems• Family problems, uncomfortable in social situations, homesickness, conflict with

significant other/roommate or coping with a break-up.

Feelings• Anger, worry and anxiety, feeling sad or depressed, loneliness, thoughts of suicide

or guilt.

Personal habits and problems• Abusing alcohol or drugs, sexual abuse or assault, body image and eating habits,

perfectionism/procrastination or coping with stress and anxiety.

Identity and self-esteem• Identity and sexuality concerns, negative or self-defeating thinking, low self-

esteem and lack of self-confidence and difficulty adjusting to college.

STRIVE Satellite Office located in Stevenson

Strive is the satellite office of the Counseling &

Student Development Center

Like us on Facebook, for upcoming events!

Strive Dog Days!

The Strive office hosts therapy dogs the 2nd

Monday of every month from

6:00 pm-7:00 pmin

Stevenson North, Fishbowl Room

Spring 2013 Groups

A list of groups at CSDC:Let’s Do WellnessGeneral Process Groups Men Are Good Family Ties Healthy Eating Healthy Coping Better Group 4 RelationshipsWomen Strength Relationship Enhancement

Mindful Meditation/Movement Drop-in hours every Mondayat noon

Relaxation Room

The relaxation room is open to all students, faculty and staff

Monday – Friday from 8:00am 4:30pm It offers a great place for students to listen to soothing music, read, and sit in the massage

chair

Myths about Counseling

Myth 1• Counseling is only for people who have serious

emotional problems.

Fact: While counseling does help those with crisis or emotional problems, it is also intended for:• Individuals who have difficulty with self-esteem or

communication concerns• Individuals having academic problems, or experiencing test

anxiety• Students having difficulty with time and stress management.• Students trying to adjust to their new surroundings.

Myths about Counseling

Myth 2• Seeking counseling is a sign of personal weakness.

Fact: It takes courage to explore sensitive feelings and painful experiences. Individuals who seek counseling are taking the first step in resolving their difficulties.

Myths about Counseling

Myth 3• The counselor will tell you what to do and how to “fix”

your problems.

Fact: Counseling is not a “quick fix” cure to your problems. The counselor is there to help you explore your feelings, thoughts and concerns, to examine your options, and to assist you in achieving your goals.

Myths about Counseling

Myth 4• The counselor cannot understand you unless he/she

has had similar experiences or is of the same background.

Fact: Counselors are trained to be sensitive to and respectful of individual differences, including the specific concerns of students with regard to gender, racial/ethnic, cultural, religious, age, sexual preferences/orientation, and socioeconomic issues.

Meet the senior staff at CSDC

Brooke Ruxton, Ph.D.Licensed Clinical Psychologist &Executive Director

Tim Paquette, Ph.D.Licensed Clinical Psychologist &Assistant Director/Training Director

Meet the senior staff at CSDC

Erica Barnes, M.S., LCPCLicensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Kim Cecil, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Kara Britzman, Psy.D.Picture not yet available

Meet the senior staff of CSDC

Elizabeth (Liz) Garcia, Ph.D.Licensed Clinical Psychologist &Acting Clinical Coordinator

Rick Long, Ph.D.Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Meet the senior staff of CSDC

Mark S. Matuszewski, Ph.D.Licensed Clinical Psychologist &Practicum Coordinator

Diane Pospisil-Kinney, M.A., LCPCLicensed Clinical Professional Counselor

Meet the senior staff of CSDC

Shiraz Piroshaw Tata, Ph.D.Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Joe Gryzbek, Psy.D.Post Doctoral Fellow