Welcome to Pacific University. Whether you are new to Pacific or returning for the umpteenth time, we want to be sure you know about the services of the Student Counseling Center. Over the course of the year we want to empower you with the knowledge and tools to be able to respond to common student experiences, so check out our recurring piece in each issue of The Pacific Index.
First things first. Where is the Counseling Center located? Our office on the Forest Grove campus is at 2142 College Way, the low brown building next to Admissions and across from Advising. Our new location in Hillsboro is in the Tuality Professional Plaza, near the new graduate student lounge.
The Counseling Center is open Monday through Friday in both locations, and current hours can be found at our website. To make an appointment to talk with a counselor, you can stop by the office or call 503-352-2191. We offer walk-in hours Monday through Friday on the Forest Grove campus from noon-1:00 p.m., and on the Hillsboro campus from 4:00-5:00 p.m. walk-in hours do not require an appointment.
Why come to the Counseling Center? Students seek our confidential support for many different reasons, adjustment to college life or graduate school expectations, anxiety, navigating relationships with parents, roommates, significant others and friends, depression, major or career changes, a traumatic event, feeling overwhelmed by emotions, struggles with identity in its many facets and more.
About 15 percent of all enrolled students seek counseling services each academic year, and by the time they graduate, 25 to 30 percent of graduating students have utilized the Counseling Center at some point while at Pacific. Some students come just once to consult about someone they are worried about or to gain an outside perspective.
The average number of sessions is six. Up to ten sessions per year are included with your tuition and fees. The Counseling Center offers individual, couples and group therapy. Group therapy provides a confidential, safe and supportive environment for self-exploration and collaborative problem-solving that combines professional guidance and the support of your peers.
Group therapy is an effective approach to common concerns for college students including difficult relationships, anxiety, feelings of isolation and self-doubt. Another Counseling Center resource is Boxer Breather, a free weekly drop-in group you can attend as often as you like. Come join our counselors to learn and practice a variety of hands-on stress reduction and resiliency skills to increase your ability to bounce back from stress.
You may also see us around campus providing education and support around mental health topics. Kathleen Converse and the Campus Wellness team consistently promote healthy behavior choices in creative ways on campus throughout the year including healthy relationships, sexual violence prevention and awareness, harm reduction surrounding alcohol and other substances, stress management and positive body image.
Embarking upon, or returning to, the hubbub of college life can feel overwhelming. It is important to have a place to relax and unwind on campus and sometimes your residence is not available or not calming. Head over to Oasis at 124 in Clark Hall and enjoy relaxing sounds, a massage chair, therapeutic light, biofeedback and more. Welcome to Pacific from the Student Counseling Center.
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