Confidential, free psychological services

Students often seek therapy to cope more effectively with mental health issues and the multi-faceted demands of college life. Our counseling team will serve you in a safe, supportive environment. Visits and therapy session content are confidential; however, information may be released with written permission or when a student poses an imminent threat of harm to self or others.

Individual Therapy

Counseling Services provides individual psychotherapy on a short-term basis. You may talk with a therapist to explore, understand and process personal as well as educational concerns such as depression, anxiety, mood swings, poor self-image, family conflict, grief and loss, cultural identity problems, sexuality or gender concerns, self-harm or adjustment difficulty. Typically, sessions are for 45 minutes. Any currently enrolled student at Jewell who has paid the Health and Wellness fee is eligible to receive short-term services at OCS. These services are offered during the fall and spring semesters when classes are in-session. During holiday breaks and the summer session (June - July), OCS does not provide services but can provide referrals for outside providers in the Kansas City area.  

Group Therapy

If there is enough interest, Counseling Services staff is available to provide group therapy. It can allow you to explore relevant issues, gain self-understanding and provide peer support in the context of a group setting. General therapy groups may be offered for students with a variety of psychological concerns, or groups might address specific topics such as stress management, academic difficulties, interpersonal issues or family functioning.

Consultation, Outreach, Prevention and Outside Referrals

Counseling Services provides consultation to the college community regarding issues of mental health. If you know of a group in need of a specific program, please contact the Office of Counseling Services to make arrangements for a group presentation or workshop. Outreach topics may be requested for concerns such as anxiety, depression, eating concerns and body image, substance abuse or stress management.

If a student requires more specialized or comprehensive treatment than can be provided by our clinical staff, or if an off-campus therapist is preferred, we will provide a referral to a community practitioner or resource.

Crisis Intervention

In the event of a life-threatening medical or safety emergency, please call 911. If the emergency is not immediately life-threatening, if you are on campus you should contact Campus Safety at extension 1411 (cell 816-365-0709) or notify your Resident Director. Faculty and staff members calling on a student’s behalf should do the same. If the emergency is a mental health emergency, the psychologist will be contacted to work with Residence Life and Campus Safety in providing assistance to the student.

If the emergency is not immediately life-threatening, students off campus should contact their local hospital or a mental health crisis line.