• Directories | A to Z | Home

Counseling Center

The St. Olaf Counseling Center was established by St. Olaf College to enhance the personal growth and development of its students. The programs it provides are proactive and preventive, as well as remedial. Location and hours are located near the end of this page.

Confidentiality

The St. Olaf Counseling Center policy on confidentiality follows the ethical guidelines of the Minnesota Board of Psychology. Information is released to no one outside the Counseling Center staff without written permission from the student. An exception to this guideline may occur in specific life-threatening emergencies.

Services

Counseling Center services are provided without cost to all full-time St. Olaf students.

Individual Counseling

A student may discuss any personal concern with one of the counselors. Student concerns typically involve issues related to relationships, identity, family, depression, victimization, anxiety/panic attacks, academics, grief and loss, socialization/isolation, food/body image or chemical use/abuse. Any personal concern is appropriate to bring to the Counseling Center.

Group Counseling

The Counseling Center offers a variety of counseling groups to students. These groups focus on topics such as family issues, food and body image concerns, coping with grief and loss, victimization issues, enhancing relationships, men's issues, women's issues and personal growth.

Nutrition Counseling

St. Olaf College has nutrition counseling available, on a limited basis, to students who have concerns related to their eating/body image. For these services, students must be referred to the dietitian by the Counseling Center staff.

Psychiatric and Medication Consultation

St. Olaf College has contracted the services of a psychiatrist to consult on a regular basis with the Counseling Center staff. Also, medication consultation is available, on a limited basis, to students who wish to be evaluated for possible medication treatment and/or for ongoing medication management. For these services, students must be referred to the Psychiatrist by the Counseling Center staff.

Workshops and Seminars

Workshops and seminars are offered throughout the academic year. The focus of these workshops and seminars may involve topics listed under group counseling as well as other topics, such as perfectionism and procrastination, values clarification, depression and test anxiety.

Testing

The Counseling Center offers psychological testing and, in some cases, a nominal fee is charged to students for the scoring of the tests. Students are referred to other offices or agencies when additional testing is desired.

Consultation

Operating within the guidelines of the Counseling Center's policy on confidentiality, counselors are available for consultation with students, faculty, administrative personnel, residence life staff and parents.

Referrals

The Counseling Center generally provides short-term counseling. When appropriate, the counselors will refer students to other campus services or off-campus professionals and agencies for services not available at the Counseling Center.

Staff

The staff of the St. Olaf Counseling Center consists of psychologists, counselors, a dietitian and a consulting psychiatrist.

Location

The St. Olaf Counseling Center is located on the second floor of the Old Main Annex, the building south of Old Main.

Hours

During the academic year, the Counseling Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-12 noon and 1-5 p.m. Summer hours vary; call for an appointment.

Appointments

Appointments may be made in person or by calling the administrative assistant at ext. 3062.