A New York Times story [1] about the growing number of college students nationwide struggling with anxiety featured UCF Counseling and Psychological Services’ [2] many efforts to help those students.
The story highlighted the popular “Paws-a-tively Stress Free” events at UCF as a way to help students relax and take a break from their studies:
At a tent outside, their greeter was the center’s mascot and irresistible magnet: a 14-pound Havanese, a certified therapy dog whom many clients ask to hold during individual sessions, stroking his silky white coat to alleviate anxiety.”
Bodhi!” they called, as he trotted over, welcoming them to his turf with a friendly sniff.
The Times also mentioned the daily workshops and 90-minute weekly therapy groups that UCF hosts to help students, including “Keeping Calm and in Control” and “Mindfulness for Depression.”
Karen Hofmann, director of Counseling and Psychological Services, told The Times that therapists have to be prepared to manage students who present a wide array of challenges:
You never know who is going to walk in,” she said. “Mourning the death of a parent. Managing a bipolar disorder. Or they’re transgender and need a letter for hormone therapy.
Counseling and Psychological Services offers a variety of free comprehensive psychological services for UCF students. To learn more, visit http://caps.sdes.ucf.edu [3].