At Mental Health Services, we provide assessment and treatment for a variety of mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, grief, substance abuse, and relationship issues. We offer therapy in a number of formats including: individual therapy, group therapy, and couple’s therapy. Please access our new digital portal below to schedule an initial appointment.

Office Hours and Location

UVU Student Health Services Office Hours and Location:
Monday-Thursday 8-6, Friday 8-5
Sorensen Center, SC 221

Medical Services Hours:
Monday-Thursday 9-6, Friday 9-4

Psychiatric Services Hours:
Monday-Thursday 10-4

Mental Health Services Hours:
Monday-Friday 8-5 

Learning Disability Assessment Services Hours:
Monday-Friday 8-5 

Crisis Services Hours:
Monday-Friday 8-4:15

After Hours Crisis:
Call the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8, or
Text "START" to 741-741 to connect with a counselor at Crisis Text Line

online education logo     online education logo

 

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

 

This online course takes about one-half hour to complete. It provides a basic overview of mental health information for college and university students, as well as several ways to help other students who are dealing with mental health issues.

How to Make an Appointment

Please be aware that there are different procedures for scheduling initial therapy appointments depending on whether you have seen a therapist at Mental Health Services previously:

  • If you are a new client, please use the "Make An Initial Appointment" button below to access our digital portal and make your first appointment.
  • If you have been seen by a therapist previously, please call us at 801-863-8876 to discuss scheduling with our receptionists.

Due to the high demand for our therapy services, you will need to be enrolled in 9+ credit hours to receive individual therapy (6+ credit hours during the summer). Proof of current enrollment is required. If you are enrolled in 8 credit hours or less, we encourage you to consider joining one of our FREE therapy groups on the day and time that is most convenient for you. See the Group Therapy section below for more information about our group program. If you are new to our groups, you can also use the digital portal below to begin this process.

make an initial appointment 

Be aware that mental health services are available only to currently enrolled UVU students. Also, please be aware that we do not provide services to students who are under 18 years old, or to full-time UVU employees. If you are not yet 18 years old, or you do not meet the credit hour eligibility requirements described above, then please see our listing of resources in the community.

Cost of Services 

Individual Therapy: $10/session (Must be enrolled for at least 9 credit hrs during the Fall or Spring semesters, or 6 credit hrs during the summer)


Couple’s Therapy: $10/session (Must be enrolled for at least 9 credit hrs during the Fall or Spring semesters, or 6 credit hrs during the summer)


Group Therapy: Free (Must be enrolled for at least 1 credit hr)


*Please note: If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need immediate assistance, please call the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8, or dial 9-1-1.

During our business hours Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (excluding campus closures), if you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call the Student Health Services receptionist desk at 801-863-8876 and notify the receptionist that you would like to schedule an appointment with a UVU Crisis Therapist. 

Forms

You may view copies of some of our commonly used forms by clicking on the links below. Please be aware that the Informed Consent Form is included in the documentation that is completed when scheduling an initial appointment through our digital portal (see above).

Informed Consent Form 

Netiquette  (for Telehealth only)

Practicum/Externship Application

Group Guidelines

General Description of Group Therapy 

Individual and Couples Therapy

Individual Therapy

Many students face academic, family, or psychological struggles for which they seek individual therapy. Mental Health Services provides short-term therapy to current-term registered UVU students. Mental Health Services may provide a maximum of 24 sessions to students over the course of their time at UVU. In order to qualify for individual therapy services, you must be enrolled for a minimum of 9 credit hours during fall and/or spring semesters (6 credit hours during the summer).

You will work with your therapist throughout the first session to determine the most appropriate course of treatment for your particular challenges. The therapist may provide you with a referral to a community therapist if longer-term care is needed.

Many of our therapists are licensed professionals. We also have therapists-in-training who work under the supervision of a licensed therapist. All of our trainees receive regular supervision to ensure that you are getting the best care possible.

Sometimes, due to our high demand for services, we have a wait-time for individual therapy. If this is the case for you, then consider joining one of our free therapy groups.

Group Therapy Info

*Please be aware that Student Health Services does not provide psychological services for court-mandated therapy.

Who qualifies for individual therapy?

In order to qualify for individual therapy, you must be enrolled at UVU for a minimum of 9 credit hours (6 credit hours during the summer).

If you are enrolled for less than 9 credit hours, you cannot attend individual therapy, but we invite you to take advantage of group therapy. We also have emergency availability for those in a suicidal crisis; this service is available to all UVU students Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.

What should I expect during my first therapy session?

During the first appointment, your therapist will be asking questions in order to gain information about why you are seeking therapy, and to gather information about your history. Sometimes it can feel a little overwhelming to try to put everything that you have been experiencing into words. You should take your own pace when it comes to sharing in the first session.

How long will each therapy session last?

You can expect each session to last approximately 45-50 minutes.

What should I bring to my therapy sessions?

You might find it helpful to jot down notes of things that you would like to discuss in your session throughout the week. Your therapist might also ask you to do specific assignments that will help you with your particular problems.

Where will I be meeting with my therapist?

We are currently offering both in-person and online appointments. If you have a specific preference to meet with a therapist either online or in-person, please indicate this when prompted to do so when completing your initial paperwork. If you are meeting with a therapist in-person, all of our therapist’s offices are located in SC-221. If you are meeting with a therapist online, these appointments will take place via a HIPAA-compliant videoconference platform.

What if the 'Wait List' for Individual Therapy is closed?

At many times throughout the year, students' demands for individual therapy far exceeds our capacity. In an effort to utilize our limited resources as efficiently as possible, we often have to utilize a 'wait list'. Being on the wait list means that you are in line to be assigned to work with an individual therapist. The amount of time any individual remains on the wait list before being contacted to schedule an initial appointment varies with the availability of our staff. Unfortunately, this sometimes results in a lengthy wait before therapy can begin. Further, once the wait list is full, students are left with limited options for treatment.

The good news is that we often have immediate openings available in group therapy! There are many benefits to being in a group. Groups are a great place to get feedback from others, try out new behaviors, learn and practice assertiveness, and gain support. Research has demonstrated that group therapy is as effective as individual therapy in helping someone achieve his or her personal therapy goals. See the group therapy section of our website below, or contact our Group Coordinator at [email protected] for more information about group therapy.

Couple's Therapy 

Many times couples in a dating, pre-marital, or marital relationship are looking for ways to improve the quality of their bond or need help resolving a glitch in their relationship with each other. Mental Health Services (MHS) offers couple's counseling for those looking to resolve relationship concerns. Several of our professional staff have specialized training in couple's therapy.

Couple's Therapy

 

MHS provides couple's therapy to those wanting to work through challenges in their relationship. Below is a list of symptoms to help you and your partner assess whether your relationship could use professional help:

  • Lack of trust between partners
  • One or both partners feel they are being verbally or emotionally abused
  • Physical abuse
  • A feeling of being controlled by your partner
  • A feeling you are not being understood and/or appreciated by your partner
  • Physically and/or emotionally withdrawing from your partner
  • A feeling of not being listened to by your partner
  • Lack of common values between partners
  • Easily provoked to irritation and anger by your partner
  • Mixed feelings of love/dislike towards your partner

Of course, there is no guarantee that couple's counseling is the answer, but the Mental Health Services therapists are ready and willing to help you and your partner with these issues so you can move towards having a more satisfying relationship. If you wish to schedule an appointment for couple's counseling, please access our digital portal here, or by clicking the "Make A Couple's Therapy Appointment" button.

 

 

 

 

MAKE A COUPLE'S THERAPY APPOINTMENT 

Self Help Resources

Group Therapy 

Are you trying to decide if group is right for you? Watch this brief video that provides a general introduction to group therapy. After you're done, you can read this page for more specific information about our FREE therapy groups.

Groups are available to all currently enrolled UVU students. Below is our group schedule for Fall 2024. From the list, choose the one group that works best for you at this time. Click on the day or time of that group for a description of what you can expect in group therapy. You may also want to review the Group Guidelines (which will be included in the paperwork you will fill out prior to your first group session). If the schedule indicates that a particular group is 'FULL,' then that group is not currently accepting new members. Please see the bulleted list of topics below if there are no open groups that fit with your schedule, to see how you can request a new group be started.

For more information about our groups, contact our Group Coordinator at [email protected].

Below is a list with brief descriptions of our groups. Please note that the scheduling of groups varies from semester to semester.

GENERAL THERAPY GROUPS These groups help students gain personal insight, improve communication skills, and explore relationships. Groups are open to all currently-enrolled students and address a wide array of problems, issues, and areas of concern. While the groups are facilitated by therapists, the agenda for each group and each session is largely student-led.

WOMEN’S THERAPY GROUP These groups are very similar to general therapy groups, but offer a female-only environment and particular focus on women’s issues.

"FEAR-LESS": ANXIETY MANAGEMENT GROUP This 8-week educational and skills-based group will focus on learning about what anxiety is, and how to manage, reduce, and/or eliminate anxiety symptoms.

LGBTQ+ GROUP These groups are very similar to general therapy groups, but offer a LGBTQ+ only environment and particular focus on LGBTQ+ issues.

EATING/BODY IMAGE CONCERNS These groups will primarily explore the relationship between mental health concerns and body image/eating concerns. In addition, the group will provide some psychoeducation about eating and body image concerns.

FAITH TRANSITION GROUP These groups will primarily explore the challenges associated with transitioning religious beliefs and/or affiliations. In addition, the group will provide support and information about healthy ways to cope.

NEURODIVERSITY GROUP This group focuses on helping neurodivergent individuals build important academic and life skills. The group will focus on self-awareness, mindfulness practice, time-management, environmental organization, emotional regulation, and other skills to overcome obstacles specific to neurodivergent populations.

COMPASSIONATE AND ASSERTIVE COMMUNICATION GROUP These groups will offer education on how to communicate with others and with yourself more compassionately, assertively, and effectively. Group members will develop competency in better identifying their own and others' emotions and needs. Group members will then practice this type of communication with each other.

SUPPORT GROUPS Unlike our general therapy groups, these time-limited groups are more solution-focused, and are intended to provide emotional support as well as effective solutions to students' respective concerns.

Group Paperwork

Group Guidelines

General Description of Group Therapy

Netiquette

Groups for Fall 2024

IMPORTANT: All new group members must utilize our digital portal to begin the group therapy process. Through the portal, you can complete the necessary paperwork, and arrange for an initial group orientation meeting with one of our staff. This orientation meeting is intended to provide you with additional information about group and allow you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about group, so that a more informed decision can be made to ensure you are getting the right treatment for your particular needs.

If you have been in one of our therapy groups in the past and wish to resume treatment, please contact our Group Coordinator at [email protected] rather than going through our online portal.

 

join a group 

 

*It is important to know that any of our in-person groups could be moved online at any time at the discretion of the group's leaders in response to changes in COVID, flu, colds, etc. This is for the safety of all group members, as well as the larger campus community. If you are experiencing any symptoms of illness (e.g., cough, sore throat, fever, nausea, runny nose, etc.), please do not attend group. If you are experiencing other symptoms and are uncertain whether or not attending group is appropriate, please consult with the group leaders as soon as possible prior to the group session. If you demonstrate symptoms during any group session, you may be asked to leave the group until you are symptom-free.

If you have any questions about groups during the Fall 2024 semester, please contact our Group Coordinator at [email protected].

If none of the days/times listed above fits with your schedule, please let us know what your availability is, and we might be able to start a new group that is a better fit for you. In order to provide us with your availability, please go through our online digital portal. Select "Group Therapy" as the treatment option. Choose the "None of these times work for me" option. On the next page, enter your availability, and complete the rest of the paperwork as instructed. It is important that you complete all of the paperwork for your submission to be processed. When your information is received, you will be added to our group wait list and, when we have enough students with the same availability, we will start a new group during that day and time and inform you about the start of the new group.

If you’re like most people, you may have some initial apprehension about going to a therapy group. Concerns about what to expect from group are common. The information below is designed to help you better understand what to expect from group.

If my schedule conflicts with the open groups listed, can I request a new group be started?

At Mental Health Services, we have made every effort to schedule our groups during the days and times that we have seen through our experience are most popular for most students. However, we also realize that there are many students whose schedules vary from these specific days and times. In an effort to try and conform our group days and times to as many students' schedules as possible, we have created a system that will allow us to create groups around your schedule.

In order to provide us with your availability, please go through our online digital portal (that is, click the "Join A Group" button in the Group Therapy section above. Select Group Therapy as the treatment option. If there is a group that fits your schedule, select this group and continue on with the paperwork. If there is not a group that fits your schedule, choose the "None of these times work for me" option.  On the next page, enter your availability, and complete the rest of the paperwork as instructed. It is important that you complete all of the paperwork for your submission to be processed. When your information is received, you will be added to our group wait list and, when we have enough students with the same availability, we will start a new group during that day and time and inform you about the start of the new group. It is our hope that this will reduce your wait time for our services as much as possible. If you have additional questions about any of our groups or workshops, please contact our Group Coordinator at [email protected].

How many credit hours do I need to be taking to be eligible for group?

The eligibility criteria for group therapy are different than the eligibility criteria for individual therapy. To be eligible for individual therapy, you must be enrolled for a minimum of 9 credit hours (6 credit hours during the summer) at the time of starting the therapy process. To be eligible for group, however, you only need to be enrolled for a minimum of 1 credit hour at the time of starting the therapy process. Unlike the criteria for individual therapy, this 1 credit hour requirement for group does not change throughout the academic year.

What are the differences between groups and workshops?

Currently, Mental Health Services (MHS) offers two types of therapy groups: General Therapy Groups, and more theme-oriented groups. All of these groups are therapeutic in nature, with some targeting specific concerns and/or demographics (e.g., LGBTQ concerns; Women's issues; Eating/Body Image concerns; etc.), while others are more diverse.

Therapy groups usually have between 8 and 10 members who meet once a week for approximately 80 minutes. Each group member plays an important role in the ongoing therapeutic process, and topics can vary from week-to-week depending upon the concerns of the group members.

Workshops, on the other hand, are offered through our Preventive Outreach Program. They are typically 1 hour long, and may have different people attending each week. They are led by the presenters (rather than by the participants), and are also much more structured compared to therapy groups. The focus of each workshop is on a predetermined topic, and the specific goals include the acquisition of relevant knowledge and/or the development of effective skills.

Workshops and groups also have different expectations with regard to confidentiality. In a therapy group, your right to confidentiality from the group’s co-facilitators is guaranteed by law. This is intended to protect the safety of the group environment, and allow each group member to talk about difficult or sensitive topics more openly. A workshop, however, does not have the same guarantees with confidentiality. Because the workshops presented through MHS are “public” and open to any/all students and/or staff, we cannot guarantee your confidentiality. We, therefore, encourage you to exercise your own best judgment about how much you choose to share during any of our workshops.

We recommend attending only one therapy group at a time. However, you may attend as many of our workshops as you like.

If you have additional questions about any of our groups, please contact our Group Coordinator at [email protected]. If you have questions about any of our workshops, please contact one of our Outreach coordinators: Elyssa Zimmerman ([email protected]) and Ammon Cheney ([email protected]).

What are the costs of group therapy or workshops?

All of our therapy groups and workshops are FREE to currently enrolled UVU students.

Who leads the therapy groups?

One or two therapists will be present at each therapy group to help facilitate interaction, discussion, and attention to the processes that unfold during group. The group leaders are there to help maintain an environment of safety and a focus on growth.

Who is a good candidate for group therapy?

People with a wide variety of problems or concerns may benefit from group therapy. Anxiety, depression, and relationship issues are some of the most common reasons that people come to our groups. Some may seek out group for help during a time of transition, such as a recent move to the state, or a recent loss, such as divorce or death of a loved one.

In group you may:

  • Gain Support
  • Share experiences and struggles
  • Receive advice and feedback
  • Learn about yourself and others
  • Try new behaviors
  • Develop more satisfying ways of relating to others

Who is NOT a good candidate for group therapy?

Certain individuals may not be appropriate for group. For instance, if you are experiencing current suicidal thoughts, you are likely in need of a higher level of care and should either come to Student Health Services to be evaluated for an emergency appointment, dial 911, or call the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8. There is additional information available on our Crisis Services webpage.

What is expected of me in group?

Many students are nervous about attending their first group session. Initially, members may be quiet and hesitant as they try to figure out what feels okay to talk about. All group members are encouraged to take their own pace in opening up, as feelings of trust and safety develop. As members become more comfortable with the group, they often open up more and show more of themselves. This provides students with the opportunity to receive direct feedback about how they come across to others and to feel more connected to others in the group. It may also be helpful to read the general description of group therapy.

What do people talk about in group?

It is common when a new group member joins a group for each member of the group to introduce themselves and state what their goals are for being there. This provides each group member the opportunity to help others work towards their goals, while also receiving help with their own goals.

Some common goals include loneliness and making friends, anxiety, depression, assertiveness, trauma, and a wide variety of relationship concerns.

Can I bring someone with me?

Because many people feel nervous about attending group for the first time, students sometimes want to bring a friend or family member along with them to group. We ask that you do not do this for several reasons.

First, group is not as beneficial when you are attending with someone that you already know. For example, you might be less likely to give that person hard feedback if they are your friend. Or, you might hold back in sharing personal things in group when someone you know is present. Secondly, due to the confidential nature of the group, we do not allow people to come to the group just to observe or support someone. While this may be helpful for one individual, it compromises the confidentiality and feelings of safety of the other members of the group.

Can I attend multiple groups?

We ask that you do not attend more than one therapy group at any given time. It is important to have just one group that you connect with and share personal information with as the semester progresses.

Can I go to a group as part of a class assignment?

Sometimes professors ask that students observe a group as part of a class assignment. Please be advised that we do NOT allow students to attend any of our therapy groups to fulfill a class requirement. This policy is in place to protect the safety and confidentiality of the group environment. However, you may attend our workshops; these workshops are presented through our Preventive Outreach Program, are more informational in nature, and do not have the same confidentiality requirements as therapy groups.

Can I attend one session to see if it's a good fit for me?

Sometimes students want to ‘sample’ different groups in an effort to find one that is a good fit for them. While it does make sense to try to find a service that will be a good fit for your needs, for reasons of confidentiality and maintaining a safe, productive group environment, we ask that you do NOT attend a group unless you intend to attend that group a minimum of 5 consecutive sessions. By doing this, you can get a feel for the group environment, ask any questions you may have about the group itself, and make a more informed decision about whether that particular group will be helpful to you.

In addition, all new group members are required to attend a Group Orientation meeting prior to beginning group. These meetings are intended to provide you with an opportunity to ask any questions and express any concerns you may have about group before actually attending. If you want more information about any of our groups, please feel free to contact our Group Coordinator ([email protected]) with any questions or concerns you may have.

General group guidelines

The purpose of group therapy is to promote growth and healing for every group member. In order to optimize group’s therapeutic effectiveness, it is important that every group member abide by certain guidelines. These have been established to ensure a safe, respectful group environment, which is essential to the development of trust and cohesion among group members. These Group Guidelines are also included in the initial paperwork that all group members complete prior to their first group session.

Resources/Self-Help 

Below is a selection of resources to help you with day-to-day stresses and difficult periods in your life. Please note, this information is not meant to replace a face-to-face consultation with a trained counselor, nor are any of these resources intended to provide any type of online counseling/therapy. If you wish to schedule an initial appointment with a mental health therapist at Student Health Services, please use our digital portal.

Also, if you are facing issues related to food insecurity, housing insecurity, health issues, and/or safety issues, you can go to UVU’s Coordinated Access to Resources and Education (CARE) webpage, which provides information about numerous resources available to UVU students.

In selecting most of the links listed in this section you will be leaving Utah Valley University's website. Because rapid, unexpected changes can occur with other websites at any time, neither Utah Valley University nor Student Health Services endorses these sites, nor are we able to guarantee that the information provided is accurate or timely.

Group of women smiling and talking with one another

 

Emergency Resources

If you are thinking about harming yourself or attempting suicide, tell someone who can help right away:

  • Call a trusted friend or family member for support
  • Call the toll-free, 24-hour national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8 to be connected to a trained counselor at a suicide crisis center nearest you
  • Text "HOME" to 741741 to connect with a counselor at Crisis Text Line
  • Call 911 for emergency services
  • Go to the nearest hospital emergency room
  • Visit the national Lifeline Chat and Text
  • American Psychological Association hotlines & resources

Thoughts of Self-harm or Suicide

  • Call the toll-free, 24-hour national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8 to be connected to a trained counselor at a suicide crisis center nearest you
  • Text "HOME" to 741741 to connect with a counselor at Crisis Text Line
  • Call 911 for emergency services
  • Go to the nearest hospital emergency room
  • Visit the national Lifeline Chat and Text
  • www.nowmattersnow.org

Abusive Situations

Alcohol abuse/addiction

Anxiety

Attention/Focus

Autism/Autistic Spectrum

Dating & Relationships

Depression & Suicide Prevention

Drug abuse/addiction

Eating Disorders

General Self-Help

Grief

Mindfulness & Meditation

Panic Attacks

Perfectionism

Sleep

  • Brown University has compiled information about sleep that is specifically relevant to college students. The information includes a sleep hygiene screening that can provide personalized sleep tips. Take a screening
  • Sleep Cycle
  • White Noise, where you can download the White Noise app

Stress

Substance abuse/addiction

  • See Drug abuse/addiction and/or Alcohol abuse/addiction above

Test Anxiety

  • Managing Test Anxiety - A document from the Center for Learning and Adult Success at Florida Atlantic University
  • Information from the Learning Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Utah State University - Suggestions and information from the office of Academic Support
  • UVU - Test taking tips and skills (including Test Anxiety tips) from the office of Academic Standards

Recommended Reading

Depression and Anxiety

  • Brene Brown "Daring Greatly". This book highlights positives that can come with being more emotionally open and vulnerable. Especially helpful for those who struggle with perfectionism.
  • Edmund Bourne, Ph.D. "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook, 7th ed."
  • David Burns
    • “Feeling Good”
    • “The Feeling Good Handbook”
    • "When Panic Attacks"
  • Steven C. Hayes “Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life”. Basic mindfulness stress-reduction exercises and ways to manage depression and anxiety
  • Susan Jeffers “Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway”
  • Fred Luskin and Kenneth R. Pelletier "Stress Free for Good". Quick read with 10 helpful skills for stress management and happiness.

Distress Tolerance and Emotion Regulation

  • Matthew McKay, Jeffrey Wood, and Jeffrey Brantley “The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook”

Eating Disorders/Body Image Concerns

  • Jenni Schaefer “goodbye ed, hello me”
  • Jenni Schaefer with Tom Rutledge “Life Without Ed”
  • Michele Siegel, Judith Brisman, and Margot Weinshel “Surviving an Eating Disorder”. This is a resource for family and friends of someone with an eating disorder.

Grief

  • Alan D. Wolfelt "Understanding Your Grief: Ten Essential Touchstones for Finding Hope and Healing Your Heart"

Interpersonal Violence

  • Lundy Bancroft "Why Does He Do That?: Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men"

OCD/Obsessive Compulsive Behavior

  • Jeffrey M. Schwartz “Brain Lock”
  • Edna Foa and Reid Wilson "Stop Obsessing: How to Overcome Your Obsessions and Compulsions"
  • Bruce Hyman and Cherry Pedrick "The OCD Workbook"

Relationship Difficulties

  • Sue Johnson "Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love"
  • John M. Gottman “The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work”
  • Amir Levine and Rachel Heller “Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help you Find - and Keep - Love”
  • Janis Abrahms Spring, Ph.D. "How Can I Forgive You?" This book focuses on forgiveness following infidelity, though lays out a model of forgiveness that can be applied to many interpersonal relationships.

Self-Esteem

  • David Burns “Ten Days to Self-Esteem”. This is a workbook that has step-by-step exercises that are very helpful.
  • Matthew McKay and Patrick Fanning “Self ESTEEM: The ultimate program for self-help”

Self-Compassion

  • Kristen Neff “Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself”. This is a wonderful introduction to self-compassion, along with increasingly advanced exercises in order to put this to use in your life

Stress Management

  • John Mason "Guide to Stress Reduction, Revised Ed."
  • Martha Davis, Elizabeth Eshelman, and Matthew McKay "The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook, 7th Ed."

Training Opportunities

Practicum/Externship Program

Welcome

The Practicum Student Internship Program and Externship Program offered at UVU is appropriate for applicants who are students of graduate psychology and counseling programs. Applicants should be in programs capable of preparing them for eventual licensure as a Psychologist or Clinical Mental Health Counselor and must be cleared by their programs to apply for practicum or externship.

For more information about UVU's Student Health Services, please visit our website at www.uvu.edu/studenthealth.

Program Description

Our practicum/externship program provides graduate students with the opportunity to provide direct therapy services to a diverse college student population while under the supervision of a licensed professional. Our goal is to provide practicum students and externs the opportunity for increased development of their knowledge, skills, values, and aptitudes in the practice of professional psychology while providing quality counseling services to students of UVU.

Responsibilities

Practicum students and externs will provide direct and indirect services to UVU students; receive supervision; attend meetings, trainings, and conferences; and complete projects aimed at honing clinical skills as needed.

It is required of practicum students and externs to attend the 2-hour weekly staff meeting held on Tuesdays from 9am-11 am. These meetings provide opportunities to consult on cases, enhance knowledge through didactic information, and keep abreast of pertinent information regarding the operations of Student Health Services.

Supervision

Weekly supervision is provided to practicum students by our doctoral interns who are under the direct supervision of a licensed clinician. Externs will receive supervision from a doctoral intern and/or a licensed clinician. Additional supervision is available to both practicum students and externs at our weekly staff meetings where several licensed clinicians of varying backgrounds provide feedback to staffed cases. It is expected that each practicum student and extern will come prepared to discuss a case every week. Additionally, at least one formal case presentation is required by each practicum student and extern for each semester (or block) worked at Student Health Services.

It is required that all sessions be video recorded. In order to protect confidentiality, these recordings are encrypted onto flashdrives provided by Student Health Services. It is not permissible at any time for practicum students or externs to take video recordings outside of Student Health Services. If this creates a problem with an applicant’s program, it is the applicant’s responsibility to identify an alternative that satisfies the needs of their educational program and those of Student Health Services.

Scheduling/Length of Placement

The hours available for the practicum student program and the extern program vary from semester to semester according to demand and funding. It is important to note that hours cannot be guaranteed; however, we have been able to make various arrangements with our practicum students and externs in the past and will continue to do our best to meet those needs in the future.

It is anticipated during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters that appointment hours will be available between the hours of 8-5 Mondays-Thursdays and 8-4 Fridays.

The length of time that a practicum student internship or externship lasts is negotiable depending on the needs of the applicant and of Student Health Services. We request that applicants identify the amount of time they would like to commit to the center when they are filling out the application.

Continuation of a practicum student internship or externship will be assessed on a semester-by-semester basis based on performance and available resources. Student Health Services maintains the right to terminate a practicum student internship or externship at any time.

Application Procedure

If you are interested in applying, please send an email to [email protected] and include:

  1. The completed application form
  2. Your resume

If an applicant is approved for a practicum internship or an externship, they are required to provide documentation that they are currently enrolled in a qualifying graduate program and are covered by liability insurance. Also, please be advised that any approved applicants will be expected to abide by the procedures laid out in the practicum/extern training manual and the UVU Code of Conduct.

Preventive Outreach Program 

What is the Preventive Outreach Program?

Utah Valley University’s Mental Health Services (MHS) is committed to doing all it can to improve the mental health and wellness of those within its reach. In order to accomplish that goal in the most efficient and effective manner, MHS disseminates mental health information through outreach initiatives. The information and skills provided by presentations and workshops aim to promote healthy living. These presentations and workshops teach skills that can assist in managing common concerns before they escalate.

Often, wait times for individual therapy services are less than ideal; for this reason, the Preventive Outreach Program consists of presentations and workshops that accommodate larger groups and are led by mental health professionals.

Presentations:

Faculty and staff at UVU can request presentations for classroom or staff audiences. We need your participation for the Preventive Outreach Program to be effective. The presentations will cover topics that are valuable to our student population. Presentation topics cover common concerns such as:

  • Time Management: How to plan your time and tasks effectively.
  • Self-care for Helping Professions: How to help others without depleting yourself.
  • Study Skills: Learn effective study and test taking skills.
  • Stress Management: College can be stressful! Learn coping tools for managing daily stressors.
  • Relationships: Learn healthy tools for communicating and connecting with others.
  • Emotions: We all have them! Learn about how to engage with emotions in healthy ways.
  • Depression and Anxiety: How to recognize symptoms, myths of depression and anxiety, and helpful interventions.
  • Science of Happiness: Learn how to cultivate happiness in your own life.
  • Distraction Management: ADHD or not, we can all increase our skills to make class and study time more effective.
  • Human Sexuality: A few basic points for understanding the sexuality of yourself, and others.
  • Assertive Communication: Learning about different communication styles can have strong benefits for personal and professional relationships.
  • Mindfulness for College Students: Awareness and acceptance are the first steps to better managing stress and juggling complicated lives.

 

Presentations are also available in the highlights section of @uvumentalhealth on Instagram.

Schedule a Presentation

To schedule a Preventive Outreach Presentation, please click on the button below and fill out the presentation request form. Please provide as much detail as possible so that we can best match you to a presenter. Once the form is submitted, you will be contacted at the email provided to confirm your presentation, or obtain further information.

Please request your presentations as far in advance as you are able. We make every effort to accommodate presentation requests; with more notice we have greater flexibility to accommodate your needs. If, for some reason, the times or dates you request are not available, we will attempt to find an alternate time to meet your needs.

Special Request Form

QUESTIONS

If you have further questions, please send an email to: [email protected]

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Follow Mental Health Services on Instagram: @uvumentalhealth

                                                                                

 

Ad for ADHD Workshop in Fall 2024

The ADHD Workshop for Fall 2024 will be held in LA-101, September 5 through November 7. Feel free to contact Dr. Ammon Cheney ([email protected]) if you have any questions.

Workshops :

Student Health Services provides valuable mental health information through psychoeducational workshops.

Mental Health Series Presentations on Instagram: @uvumentalhealth

The UVU outreach team is making our presentations available through social media. Please follow @uvumentalhealth on Instagram. Our Instagram highlights reel contains several mental health presentations, and we are always adding more content via our Instagram Stories. We welcome your engagement with our content via comments, likes, reposts, or direct messaging us with questions or suggestions.

 ADHD Workshop (all workshops will be held Thursdays at 12pm)

Presented by C. Ammon Cheney, Psy. D. & UVU Student Health Services

The ADHD Workshop for Fall 2024 will be held in LA-101, September 5 through November 7. Feel free to contact Dr. Ammon Cheney ([email protected]) if you have any questions.

Open to all UVU students and employees. These psychoeducational workshops are focused on understanding ADHD, and managing distractive symptoms for individuals with or without a diagnosis of ADHD. This series of workshops will provide entry-level information as well as symptom management skills. Intended for audience members either who experience distractive symptoms or who function in a role where understanding distraction is helpful. Attend each workshop, or attend only the session(s) that fit your interest and schedule. Topics for each session will be posted weekly on SHS’s Instagram account.

Mental Health Services Staff

Important Note About Email

Please be aware that therapists are unable to respond to clinical information (such as your current emotional struggles) via email, as email is not confidential. If you have a psychological concern, please make an appointment with your therapist (801-863-8876). Also, please note that email accounts are NOT monitored continuously throughout the day, nor during evenings, weekends, or holidays.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need immediate assistance, please call the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8, or dial 9-1-1.

During our business hours Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (excluding campus closures), if you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call the Student Health Services receptionist desk at 801-863-8876 and notify the receptionist that you would like to schedule an appointment with a UVU Crisis Therapist. 

If you are in a suicidal crisis, the following resources are also available:

  • The SafeUT app is available to download for free at either the Apple App Store or Google Play
  • Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8 to be connected to a trained counselor at a suicide crisis center nearest you
  • Visit the national Lifeline Chat and Text
  • Dial 9-1-1 and ask the police for assistance
  • Call the UVU Police at 801-863-5555
  • Take yourself to your nearest hospital emergency room
  • Text "HOME" to 741741 to connect with a counselor at Crisis Text Line
  • Call the Trans Lifeline Hotline at 877-565-8860, which is a peer support phone service run by trans people for trans and questioning individuals
  • Call the Trevor Project (LGBTQ friendly) at 866-488-7386 or visit their online chat/text

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