Clinical Services
The Counseling Center serves enrolled Minnesota State, Mankato students and offers a wide variety of services.
Eligibility
The Counseling Center serves currently enrolled students at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Services are offered to students at no cost. Please note that students who receive services may not be eligible for practicum and internship positions in the Counseling Center. Minnesota State Mankato faculty and staff are encouraged to use the Employee Assistance Plan (EAP).
Hours and Location
The Counseling Center is located in 285 Centennial Student Union and is open from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday during the academic year. We are closed on all university holidays. The office typically remains open during winter and spring breaks; however, no clinical appointments are available during those times. The Counseling Center is open 8:00 am to 2:00 pm Monday through Friday during the summer sessions for enrolled students.
Scope of Clinical Services
The Counseling Center offers free and confidential services to enrolled Minnesota State University, Mankato students. We also offer outreach and educational programming to the broader university community, and consultation services for faculty, staff, parents, and concerned others.
Some examples of common student concerns addressed through Counseling Center services may include, though are not limited to:
- Mild to moderate anxiety
- Mild to moderate depression
- Concerns about adjustment or transition to college
- Academic concerns
- Interpersonal relationship concerns (friends, family, roommates, romantic partnerships)
- Self-esteem or body image concerns
- Identity development exploration related to various identity dimensions (racial, ethnic, sexual, gender, etc.)
- Grief and loss
- Recent trauma
Limits of Practice
Students may be referred to a community provider for the reasons and conditions listed below, or following a brief course of treatment at the Counseling Center if needing additional support. Some examples of clinical issues that would be best addressed through a community referral include, though are not limited to:
- Students who require more than weekly appointments
- Students whose presenting needs warrant treatment across multiple semesters
- Longstanding and/or severe depression or anxiety, or serious and persistent mental illness
- Students who require excessive crisis intervention services
- Students who present a serious, ongoing risk of harm to self or others; this may include a history of chronic hospitalizations, suicidality, and/or homicidality
- Students whose presenting concerns are outside of the areas of expertise of the Counseling Center, which may include: court-ordered assessments or treatment, ADHD/Learning Disorder assessments, forensic assessments, substance use disorder treatment, or intensive eating disorder treatment
- Students who are noncompliant with treatment as defined by: excessive missed appointments, repeated starts and stops to counseling, repeated requests to change providers, unwillingness to set and/or meet treatment goals, and/or failure to make progress
- Students who engage in inappropriate, harassing, menacing, threatening, aggressive, or violent behaviors toward staff
High Service Demands
During periods of high demand for services, the Counseling Center may have limited openings and/or a waiting list for new clients. In an effort to avoid delays in care, resources for campus and community mental health providers may be given. Please see our resources for off-campus community mental health providers and substance use treatment options in the area.
