Christina Bauert
Features Reporter

Photo by Jordan Hoyle

Because of the pressures students face, such as meeting academic goals, holding a job and having a social life, college can be a stressful experience. Often, students feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to turn.

“We are available to students to help them with academic or emotional challenges,” Steve Robinson, Executive Director of Behavioral Clinical Services (BCS), said.

The organization, which currently employs three psychologists and five Master’s-level licensed counselors, offers professional counseling to individuals, families and couples, as well as to groups.

“Sometimes we all need a little help with difficult life situations and transitions,” Vice President for Student Services John Marshall, said. “The university wants to make sure that students who need some assistance have access to it. CMU contracts with BCS to provide counseling services to students who wish to avail themselves of those services, whether they are feeling stuck, overwhelmed or just need someone impartial to talk with.”

According to Carl Willoughby, a BCS counselor, student confidentiality is “protected all the way up to the federal level.” He emphasized, “I’m not even allowed to say that you come here, let alone what we talk about.” The client’s file, which never enters the Medical Information Bank, is kept for seven years and then destroyed.

“We are off the grid,” Willoughby said.

The main function of BCS is to help students “gain awareness, self-understanding at new and deeper levels. But mostly, it’s problem solving,” according to Willoughby, who has been in full practice with BCS since 2007.

“I’ve been a counselor since I was 22,” he said.

Originally from Delaware, he received his Master’s degree in Community and Clinical Counseling from Adams State University in Alamosa (formerly Adams State College).

In a cozy office adjacent to a little patio that allows sunlight and fresh air to pour in, Willoughby’s various degrees hang on the wall. In addition to optimal lighting and temperature, a soft couch with pillows and pictures of yellow and green leaves on the wall create a soothing sanctuary.

Willoughby has worked with many diverse populations, such as prison inmates, juvenile and adult sex offenders and victims of crime. He has also worked in a workforce and resource center as a career counselor for 17 years. Willoughby, who sees about 40 clients weekly, said, “My favorite kind of therapy is working with couples.” He pointed out that although the ratio of males and females is 50/50, “Females will seek out counseling because they want to, while men tend to have more of a stigma about it.” Furthermore, some people will not seek out counseling because they fear the stigma of being labeled as “deficient individuals.”

According to Willoughby, BCS divides its clients into groups based on what they struggle with, such as relationships, family problems, grief and loss, stress anxiety, or serious mental disorders, such as bipolarity and schizophrenia. Every five to six weeks, Willoughby is also on the call-crisis where he is available in emergency situations, such as attempted suicides. Willoughby pointed out that students seek out counseling mostly around finals. While some have serious mental or emotional difficulties, most students just need “a little tune-up.”

A CMU student can get six counseling sessions per semester or more if determined by a counselor. There is a copay of $5.00 per session, which lasts about an hour. BCS is located across from the CMU campus on North Ave. behind KFC at 1112 Belford Ave. To learn more about BCS or to make an appointment, students are encouraged to call 970-241-6500 or search ‘mental health services’ on CMU’s website.

cbauert@mavs.coloradomesa.edu