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St. Cloud State University
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Meetings provide counseling
By Nyssa Dahlberg
Published:
Thursday, April 7, 2005
Sometimes problems are too tough to handle alone.
If students are confused about their future, afraid to be open about their sexual identity or feel they have nothing in common with the peers around them, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) has a group that may help.�
For the remainder of the semester, CAPS is offering a "Coming-Out Process" group, a "Non-traditional Student Brown Bag Lunch" group and a "Career Direction Seminar" for students who may have career dilemmas.
Coming out group
A coming-out group is offered for students who are having difficulty coming out about their sexual identity. The group meets weekly and is led by Rose Stark, a counselor from CAPS.
Stark said the coming-out process for lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people can be very difficult and lonely, so having a confidential, nonjudgmental space to talk about these issues is important.
"I think the group can be especially supportive for students who want to come out to family and friends," Stark said. "Unfortunately, people sometimes can be rejected and abandoned by important people in their lives, and a support group can help people cope with that rejection."
Stark said there are many students who are struggling with this issue.
"It is always amusing to me that people think the GLBT students are somehow a small, insignificant population," Stark said. "They are not."
This group makes it easier for students to come out, but Stark said it still doesn't remove the challenges of the coming out process.
"I think that the fact that the group is a place for students to share their stories and struggles with coming out makes it easier only because they have supportive people who will not reject them because of who they are," Stark said. "Sometimes the group is the first time the individual has acknowledged their self identity to anyone. We give them an initial dose of feeling supported for who they are."
Non-traditional group
Stark also leads the "Non-Traditional Student Brown Bag Lunch" group to give non-traditional students an opportunity to meet, network and get support from other students coping with the same issues.
A non-traditional student is generally someone who is 25 years or older, a parent, married, a veteran or someone who has been out of school for a few years and is returning to college.
"Often-times non-traditional students do not know other non-traditional students so the group can provide students the opportunity to meet other students," Stark said.
The group also provides non-traditional students with important information about the campus and scholarships.
Students discuss what it's like to be an older student on campus and the challenges they encounter with having to juggle school, work and family obligations. Stark will provide information on how to effectively balance all aspects of a nontraditional student's life.
Third-year-student Keola Shklov believes non-traditional students can have problems connecting with the average college student. Shklov, 30, has a four-year-old son at home and said his life is a lot different from the average student because his number one priority is his son.
"I would say that I don't have a lot in common with some students out side of school," Shklov said. "My school work is not the biggest priority-- my son is-- and I have to miss class when he is sick, and I can't do my homework until after he goes to bed because he needs all of my attention."
Shklov said it is hard for him to find time to work on group assignments because most students have free time at night when his nights are always full.
Career direction
A four-week Career Direction seminar will give students techniques to increase career decision-making skills.
The group is led by CAPS counselor Jayne Lokken and students must sign up before April 11 to participate. Since the group relies heavily on discussion, enrollment is limited to 10 students.
Lokken said many students come to SCSU undecided about a major and other students change their mind about a major once they are here because they realize the expectations for that major are unrealistic.
"The career direction seminar is for people who are at the self exploration stage of career development.� The topics covered include three types of self-assessments based on interests, values and personality characteristics," Lokken said. �"Students look for data that is consistent across those three areas and use that information to identify academic areas they may be interested in pursuing."
After the self-exploration phase, students begin to gather information about potential careers. In the last phase, students address the strengths and weaknesses of their abilities and develop an action plan to address some of their weaker areas.
"I have used this group model for about nine years and find it is very successful for the students who participate," Lokken said. "In part, they are encouraged by the progress and results they see in other group members."
To sign up for the coming out group or the career direction seminar, call CAPS at (320) 308-3171. To participate in the Brown Bag Lunch, go to Atwood Columbine Room Mondays from 12 to 1 p.m. Registration is not required.
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