Contact Campus Health Services

Email:
campushealth​@nau.edu
Call:
928-523-2131

Pledge of Support for Students with Marginalized Identities

We, the members of NAU Counseling Services staff, want to welcome students from marginalized backgrounds at NAU, and to create a feeling of safety and belonging here.

NAU Counseling Services affirms, honors, respects, and celebrates diversity in the broadest sense including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, skin color, outward appearance, immigration status, body size and shape, differing abilities, gender, nationality, political ideology, religious and spiritual beliefs, age, language, culture, sexual and affectual orientation, and socioeconomic class. We value the diverse experiences and perspectives that you bring to this campus community.

We are here for you. Your emotions are valid and they matter. You are not alone.

Read More Accordion Closed

Social justice has been identified by our staff as one of the core values that guide our center. We understand the ways in which power, privilege, and oppression can inflict pain onto students with marginalized identities.  It is our mission to support members of the NAU community by creating a safe, supportive, affirming and inclusive environment that embraces diversity and honors the intersecting identities of everyone on our campus.

We recognize that incidents of racism, colorism, homophobia, transphobia, anti-immigrant sentiment, and other forms of oppression both within our campus community and outside of it can significantly impact the emotional well-being of NAU students. We acknowledge the significant pain that identity-related aggression activates and acknowledge the reality of racial and historical trauma. We are aware that events in the news can also impact students in different ways at different times in your lives. As a staff, we are committed to social justice and inclusion, and to fostering the wellbeing of NAU students from all backgrounds.

Counseling Services provides a confidential space where students may seek support and process their feelings and reactions. We want you to know that we are here for you if you are experiencing such an impact and need a supportive place to discuss your concerns. Please call (928) 523-2261 to schedule an appointment or request a more immediate triage appointment in an emergency.

Diversity Among Our Staff Accordion Closed

We are aware that our staff may not fully reflect the diversity of our student body and we are engaged in ongoing efforts to diversify our staff. We have a multi-year plan for addressing this, have already recruited several new staff members from a variety of backgrounds in line with this plan, and remain committed to recruiting and retaining counselors who hold marginalized identities. We understand diversity to include, but not be limited to: ethnic/racial identity, immigration status, nationality, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, religion/spirituality, socioeconomic status, age, body shape/size, and ability.

We also want students to know that as a whole, our staff members, regardless of identity, do aspire to create a safe, affirming, inclusive and welcoming environment at Counseling Services.

Who to Contact with Diversity-Related Concerns Accordion Closed

If you have a diversity-related concern about the services provided at Counseling Services, we want to hear from you. Below are some key people (listed in alphabetical order by last name) you can contact to discuss your concerns. You can leave any of us a message at (928) 523-2261, contact us via email (contact information below) or leave a comment in the comment boxes with Campus Health Services.

We also have a Diversity Committee that meets regularly to discuss ways to improve our services for people from marginalized backgrounds. Members of our diversity committee include (listed in alphabetical order by last name):

We are here for you. Your emotions are valid and they matter. You are not alone. 

Our Commitment to Providing Inclusive Services Accordion Closed

Counseling Services at NAU affirms, honors, respects, and celebrates diversity in the broadest sense including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, skin color, outward appearance, immigration status, body size and shape, differing abilities, gender, nationality, political ideology, religious and spiritual beliefs, age, language, culture, sexual and affectual orientation, and socioeconomic class. We are devoted to confronting discrimination, oppression, and prejudice in all of their many forms. As we work toward a more inclusive university community, we strive for the preservation and protection of fundamental human rights.

We are committed to providing inclusive and culturally sensitive care to NAU students who hold marginalized identities, in line with the Multicultural Guidelines from the American Psychological Association [link], the American Counseling Association Competencies [link], and the National Association of Social Workers Standards and Indicators for Cultural Competence [link]. We are committed to understanding the impact of identity and sociopolitical context on the well-being of NAU students. Social justice has been identified by our staff as one of the core values that guide our center. We recognize the need to continually change ourselves and influence others to understand and promote inclusion. We engage in continual efforts to explore and understand the impact of culture on the way we provide services.

We seek to maintain an atmosphere of respect and trust which encourages both students and staff members to explore, challenge, and discuss their own beliefs, biases, values, and behaviors with respect and safety. Together, we support our individual and collective growth as a diverse agency with the knowledge that this ongoing process will allow us to embrace our differences and strengthen our community. We have also established an internal Diversity Committee committed to continually re-examine our policies and procedures formally, and to make recommendations in order to improve the experience of and access to our services for students with marginalized identities.

Counseling Services staff are encouraged to be intentional about the intersection of diversity with their clinical work by continuously enhancing our self-awareness and engaging in regular training. As a group and individually, we reflect on the impact of power and privilege in our clinical work, outreach, advocacy, crisis response, and campus-wide support.  We pride ourselves on being knowledgeable in our response to the complex and varied impact that diversity has across multiple micro and macro levels including cultural, societal, familial, and individual.  As a means of fostering inclusion, NAU CS provides ongoing diversity training for staff on a variety of topics, including liberation psychology, feminist therapy, multicultural therapy, and the unique mental health concerns relevant to our students from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

Some of our current efforts include extensive outreach through partnerships with the Center for Native American and Indigenous Futures (CNAIF), Office of Indigenous Student Success, Office of Inclusion: Multicultural & LGBTQIA Student Services (IMQ), and Student Support Services. We have created a center Diversity Committee focused on improving our services for clients from a diversity of identities. We have recruited more staff of color. We have engaged in multiple trainings addressing racial trauma, cultural competence, feminist therapy, white fragility, and more. Members of our staff are involved at the university level with several committees addressing diversity campus-wide.

Socio-Political Self-Care Tips for Students Accordion Closed

In an effort to promote unity and an appreciation for diversity on campus and in the surrounding community, we would like to express our empathy and support. NAU Counseling Services wants to acknowledge a range of reactions to recent local, national, and global events including excitement, joy, relief, fear, sadness, anger, dread, hopelessness, anxiety, and numbness. You may find yourself within a circle of friends or classmates who do not share the same reactions as you. These interactions may evoke strong emotions and questions and may intensify your reactions.  In addition, some of you may have concerns about going home for breaks and how to manage these feelings and reactions.

We are here to listen in a nonjudgmental manner. If you are struggling with the personal impact, tone of the discussions, interactions with people in power, or if you are experiencing negative treatment, threats or more subtle forms of oppression because of any aspect of your identity, we are here to help you navigate through these times. Please call (928) 523-2261 to schedule an appointment or request a more immediate triage appointments in an emergency.

NAU Counseling Services strives to create a safe space for discussions on identity, empowerment, and cultural sensitivity.  As this may be a highly emotional time, we recommend several strategies to care for yourself and help you remain productive:

  • Acknowledge your feelings: check your emotional state before you engage in conversations. Are you in a space to dialogue?
  • Focus on tasks or events that are in your control
  • Monitor your media use—check your reactions before and after taking in the information; set time limits
  • Connect with friends, family, a community, or safe space to ground and support you
  • Focus on the present and shifting away from the future focus
  • Opt out of unproductive conversations. Pay attention to whether the discussion is going to benefit anyone or just increase stress levels
  • Take care of basic needs such as eating, sleeping, drinking water, playing, and laughing. Incorporate activities that recharge you and relax you every day.
  • Volunteer for an organization that supports your values and interests on or off campus

Utilize self-care apps such as Breathe2Relax (iPhone, Android); Mindshift (iPhone, Android); Stop, Breathe, Think (iPhone, Android); Headspace (iPhone, Android); Virtual Hope Box (iPhone, Android)

Statement on Sexual and Affectional Orientation Accordion Closed

At NAU Counseling Services, we affirm the sexual and affectional orientations of students, as well as students’ rights to love who they love, and how they love. We affirm our LGBTQ+, and ace/asexual students’ identities. We know that college is a time for figuring out who you are and what you want on many different levels. Students regularly come to counseling to explore issues related to their relationships. Some are uncertain about sexual orientation, while others may feel clear about their sexual orientation, yet unsure how to “come out” to those they care about.

Regardless, you may experience a variety of reactions and challenges for which counseling can be helpful, including but not limited to:

  • Coming out to friends and/or parents can present a danger. You may wonder: will the people in my life accept and support me? Maybe you are already aware that certain people will not. You may wonder: how will my safety be impacted after I disclose my identity?
  • You may struggle with accepting this part of yourself. Maybe you envisioned something different for yourself. Maybe the values you were raised with are in conflict with your identity. Maybe you have received negative messages about your identity/relationship(s) from society.
  • Maybe you’re just not certain yet who you’re attracted to and want to explore this more.
  • You may be dating people in the LGBTQ+ community for the first time and have many questions, concerns and experiences you need to discuss with someone.
  • You may have concerns related to discrimination you experience as a result of your identity.
  • Finally, members of the LGBTQ+ community may seek counseling to address any number of issues related to relationships, sexuality, identity development, mental health challenges, and many other topics.

These can be challenging situations to handle. Feeling confused and unsupported as you work through these things can have a negative impact on your well-being. If that’s the case for you, we are here to help! Counseling Services provides a confidential space where students may seek support and process their feelings and reactions. We want you to know that we are here for you if you are experiencing such an impact and need a supportive place to discuss your concerns. Please call (928) 523-2261 to schedule an appointment or request a more immediate triage appointment in an emergency.

We are here for you. Your emotions are valid and they matter. You are not alone.

There are also other resources that you can reach out to at:

Statement on Sexual and Affectional Orientation and Polyamory  Accordion Closed

At NAU Counseling Services, we affirm students’ rights to love who they love, and how they love. We affirm our polyamorous and non-monogamous students’ identities. We know that college is a time for figuring out who you are and what you want on many different levels. Students regularly come to counseling to explore issues related to their relationships. Some students in non-monogamous relationships want to discuss their experiences and how to navigate concerns within their relationships, or experiences of oppression because of their non-monogamy.

Regardless, you may experience a variety of reactions and challenges for which counseling can be helpful, including but not limited to:

  • Coming out to friends and/or parents can present a danger. You may wonder: will the people in my life accept and support me? Maybe you are already aware that certain people will not. You may wonder: how will my safety be impacted after I disclose my identity?
  • You may struggle with accepting this part of yourself. Maybe you envisioned something different for yourself. Maybe the values you were raised with conflict with your current relationship practices. Maybe you have received negative messages about your relationship(s) from society.
  • Maybe you’re in the process of exploring how you feel about non-monogamy and could use a place to process your experiences.
  • You may be dating people in the poly community for the first time and have many questions, concerns and experiences you need to discuss with someone.
  • You may have concerns related to discrimination you experience as a result of your relationship(s).
  • Finally, you may seek counseling to address any number of issues related to relationships, sexuality, identity development, mental health challenges, and many other topics not necessarily centered on non-monogamy.

These can be challenging situations to handle. Feeling confused and unsupported as you work through these things can have a negative impact on your well-being. If that’s the case for you, we are here to help! Counseling Services provides a confidential space where students may seek support and process their feelings and reactions. We want you to know that we are here for you if you are experiencing such an impact and need a supportive place to discuss your concerns. Please call (928) 523-2261 to schedule an appointment or request a more immediate triage appointment in an emergency.

We are here for you. Your emotions are valid and they matter. You are not alone.

There are also other resources that you can reach out to at:

The Impact of Sociopolitical Events on Well-Being

We at Counseling Services also want to acknowledge that current events may impact the well-being of members of the LGBTQ+ and polyamorous community. It is normal and understandable to have any of a variety of emotional responses to these events, including but not limited to: sadness, fear, outrage, a sense of helplessness, disbelief, questioning your self-worth, and a feeling of endangerment. It is also normal to have strong desire for increased unity or solidarity, empathy, and a heightened motivation to pursue social justice.  We encourage you to review our Political Self-Care Tips for Students [link?] for ideas on how to navigate this difficult time.

We want you to know that we are here for you if you are experiencing such an impact and need a supportive place to discuss your concerns. Please call (928) 523-2261 to schedule an appointment or request a more immediate triage appointments in an emergency.

Statement on Gender Identity Accordion Closed

At NAU Counseling Services, we acknowledge that gender exists on a spectrum, that intersex and non-binary individuals exist. We know that ideas about gender are formed by culture, and that many members of our NAU community find that binary ideas about gender do not fit who they actually are. Several of our providers have specialized training in providing care for transgender students and maintain up-to-date knowledge in the area by attending conferences (for example WPATH – World Professional Association for Transgender Health standards of care. Their names are (listed in alphabetical order by last name):

  • Carl Dindo, Psy.D., Psychologist & Director*
  • Lisa Shows, LPC, Senior Staff Therapist & Outreach Coordinator
  • Matthew Van Schoick, Psy.D., Psychologist, Assistant Director, Technology Coordinator & Groups Coordinator

*Marca McCallie also facilitates a Gender Diversity Support Group. Contact Bryan Bove at The Office of Inclusion: Multicultural and LGBTQIA Student Services for more information (Bryan.Bove@nau.edu).

We recognize that people may be assigned either a physical sex (such as in the case of intersex individuals) or a gender at birth that may not always reflect who that individual is at their core. We affirm the identities of transgender, genderqueer, non-binary, and intersex individuals. We know that college is a time for further exploring who you are and what you want on many different levels. Students regularly come to counseling to explore issues related to their sex and/or gender identity. Some are uncertain about identity, while others may feel clear about their identity, yet unsure how to “come out” to those they care about. Regardless, you may experience a variety of reactions and challenges for which counseling can be helpful, including but not limited to:

  • You may be undergoing, or exploring how you feel about, HRT (hormone replacement therapy) or surgery and want to discuss this with others.
  • You may be experiencing challenges related to documenting and communicating your chosen name and gender in a variety of settings.
  • You may encounter systems or people in your life who choose to use your dead name against your wishes, invalidating who you are at your core.
  • Coming out to friends and/or parents can present a danger. You may wonder: will the people in my life accept and support me? Maybe you are already aware that certain people will not. You may wonder: how will my safety be impacted after I disclose my identity?
  • You may struggle with accepting this part of yourself. Maybe you envisioned something different for yourself. Maybe the values you were raised with are in conflict with your identity. Maybe you have received negative messages about your gender from society.
  • Maybe you’re just not certain yet what gender means in your life.
  • You may be navigating the dating world and finding this challenging because of the pervasiveness of cisgender privilege; and have many questions, concerns and experiences you need to process with someone.
  • You may have concerns related to discrimination you experience as a result of your gender identity.
  • Finally, members of transgender/genderqueer and intersex communities may seek counseling to address any number of issues related to relationships, sexuality, identity development, mental health challenges, and many other topics.

These can be challenging situations to handle. Feeling confused and unsupported as you work through these things can have a negative impact on your well-being. If that’s the case for you, we are here to help! Counseling Services provides a confidential space where students may seek support and process their feelings and reactions. We want you to know that we are here for you if you are experiencing such an impact and need a supportive place to discuss your concerns. Please call (928) 523-2261 to schedule an appointment or request a more immediate triage appointment in an emergency.

We are here for you. Your emotions are valid and they matter. You are not alone.

There are also other resources that you can reach out to at:

The Impact of Current Events on Well-Being

We at Counseling Services also want to acknowledge that current events may impact the well-being of NAU’s intersex, non-binary, transgender, and gender-queer communities. It is normal and understandable to have any of a variety of emotional responses to these events, including but not limited to: sadness, fear, outrage, a sense of helplessness, disbelief, questioning your self-worth, and a feeling of endangerment. It is also normal to have strong desire for increased unity or solidarity, empathy, and a heightened motivation to pursue social justice.  We encourage you to review our Political Self-Care Tips for Students [link] for ideas on how to navigate this difficult time.

We want you to know that we are here for you if you are experiencing such an impact and need a supportive place to discuss your concerns. Please call (928) 523-2261 to schedule an appointment or request a more immediate triage appointments in an emergency.

Statement on Race in the U.S. Accordion Closed

At NAU Counseling Services, we acknowledge the role that racism, colorism, and anti-blackness play in the lives of many NAU students. We know that culturally sensitive counseling for people of color often cannot follow a White American model of mental health. We believe that it is important to recognize the systemic racism and oppression that impacts people of color and our communities. Racism, colorism, and anti-blackness continue to be pervasive in our society and can take many forms. It can be seemingly subtle or quite overt. It is evident in discriminatory behaviors, hate crimes, microaggressions, and systemic oppression. Recent national events have demonstrated examples of how racist acts can disconnect communities, separating groups of people due to stereotypes, prejudices, and privilege. As a campus community, racism impacts us all by threatening our learning environment, personal safety and respect for one another.

Reactions among those who have witnessed, observed, and/or experienced acts of racism can vary. It is normal and understandable to have any of a variety of emotional responses to these events, including but not limited to: self-doubt, sadness, fear, outrage, a sense of helplessness, disbelief, questioning your self-worth, and a feeling of endangerment. It is also normal to have strong desire for increased unity or solidarity, empathy, and a heightened motivation to pursue social justice.  You may have questions and concerns about difficult topics, such as racism, systemic discrimination, oppression, white privilege, guns, policing, violence, protests, riots, social justice, mental health and more. We want you to know that we are available as a resource for you, and we are dedicated to helping foster a climate that is safe and affirming for all students on campus and within the community.

NAU Counseling Services believes that it is important to name, speak out, and speak up in response to racist acts. As a staff committed to promoting the wellbeing of NAU’s students, we will continue to evaluate how we can best serve as a safe support for students in their time on campus and beyond. We want to engage in and support continued dialogue about how to facilitate positive change in race relations on both an individual and systemic level. NAU Counseling Services is one of several resources that are available to students to discuss their reactions, experiences, and thoughts about race relations in the United States. We encourage you to seek safe people and spaces to identify and process your own reactions. Please see our Political Self-Care Tips for Students.

Counseling Services provides a confidential space where students may seek support and process their feelings and reactions. We want you to know that we are here for you if you are experiencing such an impact and need a supportive place to discuss your concerns. Please call (928) 523-2261 to schedule an appointment or request a more immediate triage appointment in an emergency.

We are here for you. Your emotions are valid and they matter. You are not alone.

There are also other resources that you can reach out to at:

Statement on Anti-Blackness Accordion Closed

Our staff at Counseling Services affirms that the lives of Black and African American people are important, valued, and valid. We recognize that anti-Blackness is rampant in the United States and in the World. We grieve for those tragic events in which Black, African, and African American communities and others have lost their lives in encounters with law enforcement officials. We recognize that continual exposure to these events through social media, while importantly raising awareness, can also re-traumatize and trigger members of vulnerable communities. We recognize that reactions to these losses as well as reactions from those who have witnessed, observed, and/or experienced acts of racism can vary. It is normal and understandable to have any of a variety of emotional responses to these events, including but not limited to: sadness, fear, outrage, a sense of helplessness, disbelief, questioning your self-worth, and a feeling of endangerment. It is also normal to have strong desire for increased unity or solidarity, empathy, and a heightened motivation to pursue social justice. As information on these tragic events continue to unfold, we encourage those that are struggling to seek safe supportive spaces to process their feelings and experiences. We want you to know that we are available as a resource for you, and we are dedicated to helping foster a climate that is safe and affirming for all students on campus and within the community.

Statement on Indigenous Peoples Accordion Closed

NAU Counseling Services supports NAU’s land acknowledgement, which affirms that, “Northern Arizona University sits at the base of the San Francisco Peaks, on homelands sacred to Native Americans throughout the region. We honor their past, present, and future generations, who have lived here for millennia and will forever call this place home.” We recognize that Arizona is home to many sovereign tribal nations. We know that Northern Arizona University sits on the traditional homelands of the Navajo/Diné, Yavapai, Hopi, and Western Apache people. We acknowledge the current and historical trauma experienced by indigenous peoples and strive to create an environment that is validating and healing. We also know that NAU is home to many indigenous people whose homelands are outside of Flagstaff. We know that culturally sensitive counseling for Native Americans and other indigenous people often cannot follow a White American model of mental health. We recognize that healing often involves exploration of major themes such as identity, relationship to tribe and family, current and historical trauma, culture-specific well-being practices and ceremony, well-founded mistrust of non-indigenous mental health systems, empowerment, resiliency, the struggle for recognition of tribal sovereignty and treaty rights, and political action. We want our indigenous students of all tribes to know that we are a resource for you, and we are committed to continually improving the accessibility and appropriateness of our services to meet your needs. In addition, our Multicultural Specialist and Licensed Psychologist Angela Enno, Ph.D. (Turtle Mountain Chippewa) is available to provide counseling and consultation either in Counseling Services or at the Center for Native American and Indigenous Futures (CNAIF), in an effort to provide services in the setting that is most comfortable for you.

We are here for you. Your emotions are valid and they matter. You are not alone.

There are also other resources that you can reach out to at:

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) Accordion Closed

Our staff at Counseling Services is aware of the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women in the United States and Canada. We know there are many NAU students who may be personally impacted by these devastating losses. We acknowledge the difficult time many indigenous women have in feeling safe anywhere they go as a result. We recognize that continual exposure to these events through social media, while importantly raising awareness, can also re-traumatize and trigger members of vulnerable communities. We recognize that reactions to these losses as well as reactions from those who have witnessed, observed, and/or experienced acts of racism can vary. It is normal and understandable to have any of a variety of emotional responses to these events, including but not limited to: sadness, fear, outrage, a sense of helplessness, disbelief, questioning your self-worth, and a feeling of endangerment. It is also normal to have strong desire for increased unity or solidarity, empathy, and a heightened motivation to pursue social justice. We encourage those that are struggling to seek safe supportive spaces to process their feelings and experiences. We want you to know that we are available as a resource for you, and we are dedicated to helping foster a climate that is safe and affirming for all students on campus and within the community.

Statement on Immigration and National Origin Accordion Closed

We know that culturally sensitive counseling for immigrants often cannot follow a White American model of mental health. Training for our staff in Counseling Services has been a priority and we have taken the steps to ensure that over 90% of our staff has completed the Dream Zone 101 training in Fall 2019. This training was offered exclusively for Counseling Services staff and a few other providers from Campus Health on December 18, 2019. The Dream Zone 101 Training is an interactive workshop that serves to introduce NAU students, faculty, and staff to issues and challenges facing the undocumented community through contexts of terminology, history, policies and procedures. The workshop focuses on how we can express solidarity and support undocumented members of our NAU Community. We strongly encourage for staff members to participate in this training; and current staff members to complete the training every two years so that changes and updates to policies can be thoroughly discussed with staff and we can better direct students to resources and supports.

Counseling Services provides a confidential space where students may seek support and process their feelings and reactions. We want you to know that we are here for you if you are experiencing such an impact and need a supportive place to discuss your concerns. Please call (928) 523-2261 to schedule an appointment or request a more immediate triage appointment in an emergency.

We are here for you. Your emotions are valid and they matter. You are not alone.

There are also other resources that you can reach out to at:

International Students Accordion Closed

As an international student, there are many opportunities waiting for you here at the Northern Arizona University. However, you may be experiencing stress related to common experiences among international students, given you have likely just left family and friends behind and are adapting to a new culture and country. Often times, international students may feel isolated as they begin to adapt to life in Flagstaff and at NAU. Counseling Services provides a confidential space where students may seek support and process their feelings and reactions. We want you to know that we are here for you if you are experiencing such an impact and need a supportive place to discuss your concerns. Please call (928) 523-2261 to schedule an appointment or request a more immediate triage appointment in an emergency.

We are here for you. Your emotions are valid and they matter. You are not alone.

The information below may help you identify sources of possible stress, provide you with strategies and resources to help you cope with this life transition.

Common Concerns Specific for International Students

International students often experience the following concerns:

  • Homesickness
  • Lack of social network or traditional support system
  • Navigating language and cultural differences
  • Understand university, government, and legal requirements
  • Racial, religious, or ethnic prejudice, discrimination, or harassment
  • Academic difficulties/stress
  • Family conflict or pressure
  • Relationship problems (lab mates, instructors, romantic partners)
  • Major or career choice concerns
  • Financial strains
  • Feelings of depression and anxiety
  • Suicidal thoughts or feelings

What is Culture Shock?

Culture shock (also referred to as acculturative stress) often results from a sudden transition out of one’s home or native country and culture to a new and often unfamiliar country and culture. International students frequently experience culture shock to different degrees. This is a normal reaction to adapting to a new environment. These are some symptoms of culture shock:

  • Headaches
  • Sleeping more/less than usual
  • Stomach aches
  • Depression
  • Fear
  • Sadness
  • Anger
  • Withdrawal/isolation

What might help?

  • Stay connected to your loved ones as much as possible.
  • Recognize the symptoms of culture shock and understand this is a common reaction.
  • Use coping strategies (e.g., exercise, eating well, being with friends, listening to music, talking with others).
  • Create reminders of home in your environment, such as photographs or keepsakes.
  • Give yourself time and space to adjust to the new culture.
  • Make friends and get involved in different clubs or activities on campus.
  • Share your feelings with others, especially those who have experienced culture shock as well.
  • Seek counseling services to help cope with adjusting.

How can counseling help?

At NAU Counseling Services, we value our international students and encourage you to come meet with us. Depending on your cultural background, you may have different ways of asking for help or coping with challenges. In the U.S., people will often ask professionals, such as counselors, social workers, or psychologists, for help with their concerns. Although this is common practice in the U.S., it is understandable that not all cultures are comfortable with counseling. We also know that culturally sensitive counseling for international students often cannot follow a White American model of mental health. However, if you feel like you need help with a concern or problem, counseling may be a useful tool to help you be happy, healthy, and productive here at Northern Arizona University. We will do our best to provide services in a way that shows respect for your culture and background.

A counselor can help you in many ways. In general, a counselor will listen to you, understand the different issues you are coping with, and help you find answers or solutions to your concerns.

In addition, counseling can:

  • Assist in personal development
  • Help individuals develop self-confidence and interpersonal skills
  • Offer support in personal struggles
  • Allow for brainstorming ways to overcome personal struggles

What is Confidentiality?

When you come to Counseling Services, you will be asked for information about yourself, what brings you to Counseling Services, and what your goals might be for counseling. Our staff and practitioners keep all of your information confidential. This means that your information will not be shared with other people, unless you provide your counselor or another staff member with your permission to share your information. In Arizona, there are a few exceptions to confidentiality. We will work with you and possibly consult with other professionals if:

  • You indicate that you may harm yourself or another person.
  • You report knowledge of abuse of children, the elderly, or individuals with a disability.
  • You are involved in a court case in which the judge forces your records to be released.

Outside of these situations, you can rest assured that whatever you talk about in counseling is kept private, safe, and confidential. Also, if you have any questions about the situations listed above, we are happy to answer your questions.

There are also other resources that you can reach out to at:

Statement on Gender-Based Rape, Sexual Assault, or Other Violence Accordion Closed

Our staff at NAU Counseling Services recognize that, while some populations experience substantially higher rates of violence than others, anyone can experience rape, sexual assault, and other forms of violence. We know the devastating effects that being exposed to violence has on people of any identity. It can have serious physical, mental, economic, social, and academic impacts.

We recognize that continual exposure to violence and reminders of your trauma through media and social media, while importantly raising awareness, can also re-traumatize and trigger members of vulnerable communities. We recognize that reactions can vary. It is normal and understandable to have any of a variety of emotional responses to these events, including but not limited to: thoughts and memories about the trauma you experienced, sadness, fear, outrage, a sense of helplessness, disbelief, questioning your self-worth, and a feeling of endangerment.

We are here for you if you have been the victim of rape, sexual assault, or other violence. We provide a safe and confidential space in which you can share your experiences. We recognize that exposure to violence affects every area of your life, from sleeping to relationships to basic tasks of daily living. We can help you understand the impact of your trauma on your well-being, and find ways to recover from what has happened to you. We affirm your rights to respond to what happened to you in whatever way works for you, including your decisions about whether to report it or not.

Counseling Services provides a confidential space where students may seek support and process their feelings and reactions. We want you to know that we are here for you if you are experiencing such an impact and need a supportive place to discuss your concerns. Please call (928) 523-2261 to schedule an appointment or request a more immediate triage appointment in an emergency.

We believe survivors of violence and honor their stories.

We are here for you. Your emotions are valid and they matter. You are not alone.

Violence Impacts Some Groups Substantially More Than Others

Gender-based violence is violence that is directed at an individual based on their biological sex OR gender identity. It includes physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, and psychological abuse, threats, coercion, and economic or educational deprivation, whether occurring in public or private life. Gender-based violence is an issue faced by people all over the world. It can impact anyone regardless of their geographical location, socio-economic background, race, religion, sexuality, or gender identity.

We have a pervasive problem of violence against women and girls, particularly transgender women, women of color, and indigenous women. Women of color and indigenous women who are also transgender experience even higher rates of violence. Violence against women happens anywhere, there is no safe place, not even at home. Women are targeted at home as well as in their workplace, in schools and universities, on the street, in displacement and migration, and increasingly online through cyber violence and hate speech.

Victims of Gender-Based Violence Often Do Not Get Justice for What Happened

We recognize that systemic gender inequality disempowers transgender and cisgender women, especially women of color, and stifles their voices so that their stories are not heard and their natural human rights can be more easily taken away. The cycle of violence is further perpetuated by lack of justice, a lack of available resources, or lack of economic opportunities which leads to the survivor being dependent on the abuser.

Gender-based violence is violence against the whole of humankind, and should have no place at NAU or elsewhere in the world.

There are also other resources that you can reach out to at:

Statement on Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Diversity Accordion Closed

Counseling Services at Northern Arizona University recognizes and affirms the religious and spiritual diversity that exists in our community. We are committed to providing support and advocacy for students with a wide variety of religious traditions, spiritualties, cultural practices, and ethical systems.

We are committed to the creation of an environment welcoming, respectful, and appreciative to people who pursue a variety of meaningful ideas and practices; who belong to various communities of faith; who practice indigenous spirituality and ceremony; and/or whose spiritual and ethical traditions are not based on religious practice. We understand that an enlightened model of religious diversity encourages the presence and perspective of humanists, agnostics, and atheists. As counselors, we do not impose our particular spiritual, ethical, or religious practices on others.

We recognize that recent acts of terror and violence perpetrated by extremists using the name of religion have shaken our world and our sense of security. We recognize that continual exposure to these events through social media, while importantly raising awareness, can also re-traumatize and trigger members of vulnerable communities. We recognize that reactions to these losses as well as reactions from those who have witnessed, observed, and/or experienced acts of violence and religious intolerance can vary. It is normal and understandable to have any of a variety of emotional responses to these events, including but not limited to: feeling afraid or terrorized, sad, or outraged, disbelief, helplessness. It is also normal to have strong desire for increased unity or solidarity, empathy, and a heightened motivation to pursue social justice. As information on these tragic events continue to unfold, we encourage those that are struggling to seek safe supportive spaces to process their feelings and experiences. We want you to know that we are available as a resource for you, and we are dedicated to helping foster a climate that is safe and affirming for all students on campus and within the community.

Counseling Services provides a confidential space where students may seek support and process their feelings and reactions. We want you to know that we are here for you if you are experiencing such an impact and need a supportive place to discuss your concerns. Please call (928) 523-2261 to schedule an appointment or request a more immediate triage appointment in an emergency.

We are here for you. Your emotions are valid and they matter. You are not alone.

There are also other resources that you can reach out to at:

Statement on Ability Status Accordion Closed

At NAU Counseling Services, we are aware that ability status is often an over-looked dimension of diversity. We serve many students with disabilities, and frequently provide documentation for students with mental health-related disabilities who are receiving services through our counseling center. Every student’s experience is different, but we recognize that students with disabilities often encounter many assumptions, stereotypes, and biases as they move through their lives both on and off campus. We also recognize that disabilities that are visible or obvious and disabilities that are not visible or obvious all exist and come with their own unique challenges. Though we do not currently have any staff members with visible disabilities, we do have members on staff who have less visible disabilities.

As a center, we are dedicated to continually improving our accessibility for students with disabilities and to creating an affirming and welcoming environment. We are committed to identifying ableist assumptions, policies, and procedures that affect the services we provide, and doing better. Whether you would like to discuss concerns related to living with a disability, or to pursue counseling for something completely unrelated to that disability, we hope you will find our center accessible, welcoming, and respectful. We welcome you to reach out with any feedback you have about how we’re doing.

We are here for you. Your emotions are valid and they matter. You are not alone.

There are also other resources that you can reach out to at:

Statement on First Generation College Students Accordion Closed

At NAU Counseling Services, we recognize that first generation college students often experience unique challenges that can affect their well-being. Every student’s experience is different, but many first-generation college students experience difficulty with academics, finances, knowing how to navigate higher education, knowing the resources available to them, and with feeling as though they were not well-prepared for college or don’t really belong here at NAU. Some also experience challenges related to family roles and expectations that may be at odds with the roles and expectations that you fill as a student. If any of this describes you, know that you are not alone. Many students at NAU experience such challenges.

At Counseling Services, we are here to help. We’re happy to have you as part of the NAU community and want to encourage you to talk to us. We know that many first-generation college students can be embarrassed or shy about sharing what they’re going through. We strive to create an environment of safety and support where you can talk about what’s going on honestly and openly. We can help with strategies for managing your stress. We can help you explore your identity as a first generation college student, and what that means for you and your family. And we can often help you get connected to resources on campus and in the community that will help.

Counseling Services provides a confidential space where students may seek support and process their feelings and reactions. We want you to know that we are here for you if you are going through hard things and need a supportive place to discuss your concerns. Please call (928) 523-2261 to schedule an appointment or request a more immediate triage appointment in an emergency.

We are here for you. Your emotions are valid and they matter. You are not alone.

There are also other resources that you can reach out to at:

Statement on Body Size Diversity Accordion Closed

At NAU Counseling Services, we recognize that bodies come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. We know that body size can often function as a source of pain, discrimination, and oppression. We are committed to providing an inclusive and respectful environment for students of all sizes and shapes in our center; and aim to help students cope with the societal pressures associated with obtaining an “ideal body.” We also recognize the research that suggests the “ideal body” size for women tends to be much more confining than the ideal for men.

We embrace the “Health at Every Size” philosophy, which focuses on healthy eating and daily activity instead of weight loss. Instead of dieting or focusing on a specific weight, we encourage: regular activity that is enjoyable, stress management, and healthy emotional awareness and coping.

Counseling Services provides a confidential space where students may seek support and process their feelings and reactions. We want you to know that we are here for you if you are going through hard things and need a supportive place to discuss your concerns. Please call (928) 523-2261 to schedule an appointment or request a more immediate triage appointment in an emergency.

Tips for Practicing Body Size Acceptance

  • Question standards before accepting them
  • Don’t spend too much time looking at media/social media
  • Imagine what fashion photographs looked like before they were technologically enhanced
  • Ignore height-weight charts. Understand that BMI is a controversial and flawed concept
  • Always be flexible with exercise and nutrition – your approach to these should not be rigid, and should come from a place of self-love
  • Take time to become aware, without judgment, of the body size diversity around you
  • Identify role models and icons with a variety of body sizes that you can admire
  • Appreciate your body for what it does for you
  • Practice self-compassion (Cultivating self-compassion article). Practice a loving kindness meditation focusing on loving your body
  • Wear clothes that feel comfortable and make you feel good in your body
  • Get rid of your bathroom scales

We are here for you. Your emotions are valid and they matter. You are not alone.

There are also other resources that you can reach out to at:

Campus Health Services
Location
Building 25
Health and Learning Center
824 South San Francisco Street
Flagstaff, Arizona 86011
Mailing Address
824 South San Francisco Street
Flagstaff, Arizona 86011
Contact Form