First step, admit you need help

You might find yourself overwhelmed by financial, academic or personal issues. But like the Fairy Godmother in the movie Shrek says, ‘Help is only a teardrop away.’

Last year 1600 UT students received help from the three counselors and seven psychologists working at the Student Counselling Center (SCS). The SCS handles all types of psychological care as well as offering three group-related workshops: Self-Management, Social Skills, and Study-Completion.

‘International students can face special difficulties being in a new culture and a different academic setting,’ said SCS Psychologist Daniëlle Keizer. ‘It can be difficult to make new friends, government regulations can be confusing, or studies may not progress as planned. They also might face social pressure from home and family expectations.’

The first step is admitting you need help. Even though there can be a waiting list to see a counselor, social stigma still remains. ‘Many people think you should be able to fix your own problems or you must be completely mad,’ said Keizer. ‘But most people who come see us usually change their opinion. It’s really not so scary.’

Once deciding you would like to talk to a professional, you call the SCS secretary and make an appointment for an intake interview. The secretary will ask you if you would like to see a male or female counselor, if your issue is personal or study-related, and if you’ve been to the center before.

During your first meeting, a psychologist then asks about your problem and its duration, along with other personal information such as your health, relationships, and family background. All your sessions are strictly confidential. This is when you define the major aim that you want to accomplish during the course of your counseling sessions. The psychologist might also refer you to one of the group workshops, which meet weekly on Tuesday or Thursday afternoons.

Depending on the severity of your problem, you then meet once every two or three weeks with a psychologist or a counselor. In general, the SCS is meant for relatively mild issues that can be dealt with in a relatively short time. In case you may need more intensive or extensive treatment, you may be referred to the Psychotherapy Center on campus or to another mental health institution. Sessions last 45 minutes and some students only need two or three meetings before they are back-on-track again.

During your meetings, your psychologist might suggest some homework. ‘We try to help students monitor their behavior and have a broader perspective of their life,’ said Keizer. ‘They might feel like there’s a big hole or only chaos, but we hopefully guide students towards having a better grip on their lives.’

Stress is a major challenge for most students. ‘Plan your work carefully,’ advised Keizer. ‘and make sure you have time to relax or do sports. Some students plan a lot and are disciplined, but they don’t plan any social activities. They are just always running from one thing that they have to do to the next.’

The group workshops, like the Study-Completion Group, offer students a chance to feel less lonely in their situation. ‘We help students to figure out what is blocking them, clarify what they are doing, and try to find a solution,’ said Keizer. ‘Sometimes it’s simply a matter of taking one step at a time, instead of being overwhelmed with the giant task that you might be facing.’

There is also a possibility to consult with a counselor without an appointment. Counseling services are free for UT students, but not yet for ITC students. ‘If you have a medical problem, you go to a doctor,’ smiled Keizer. ‘So if you have a psychological problem, why not go to a psychologist?’

The SCS team. About 10% of the students who seek counseling are non-Dutch, and counseling is available in English and German. (Photo: Gijs van Ouwerkerk)

For more information, go to http://www.utwente.nl/studentenbalie/en/scs.doc,  visit the Red Desk in the Bastille Building, or call +31 (0)53 489 2035.

Who’s Who?

Counselors are independent advisors to students who are struggling with special circumstances that make it difficult to study. These might include financial, family, or health issues. They can also advise in legal issues and study-related laws and regulations.

Psychologists are able to help students with any type of psychological or emotional issue, not just study-related issues.

Psychotherapists treat mental and emotional disorders through the use of psychological techniques designed to encourage communication of conflicts and insight into problems. The goals of these techniques are: relief of symptoms, changes in behavior leading to improved social and vocational functioning, and personality growth.