Welcome to Counseling and Career Services
College life is a time of change, growth, and transition. Counseling Services seeks to ease adjustment during these times of transition and enhance the individual’s academic and lifelong success. We offer support to NSU students, staff, and faculty to assist with a variety of personal, academic and career concerns. Our approach is collaborative, goal-oriented, and multiculturally sensitive. We are here to help you increase personal awareness and develop the skills you need to be successful while completing your studies at Northwestern State University and when transitioning to the world beyond.
The University Counseling and Career Center’s professional staff provides confidential mental health counseling, career counseling and career development services, outreach services, and part-time employment services to all NSU undergraduate and graduate students. Students can call (318) 357-5621 or come by the office in room 305 in the Friedman Student Union Building to make an appointment.
Counseling is provided in several formats: personal counseling, couple counseling, group counseling, and crisis counseling. All services are provided in the counseling center. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic Telehealth counseling services are offered to students via WebEx, Zoom and FaceTime if they are in quarantine.
To set up a counseling appointment students may contact the counselors by clicking on the Contact tab on this page or calling (318) 357-5621. Please take a minute to read our Covid-19 Prevention Guidelines before you visit our office.
24 hour crisis service is available for students who are in crisis. Call the office of Counseling and Career Services or drop by the office during the hours of 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 8 a.am.to 12 p.m. on Friday. To speak to a counselor after office hours and on weekends call University Police at 357-5431 and a counselor will be contacted for you.
For more information about counseling and career services and resources go to Counseling Services, NSU Cares, and the NSU Career Center.
Employment and Opportunities with CACS
Welcome to Northwestern State University’s offices of Counseling and Career Services; and Job Location and Development website! The primary goal of this office is to assist students excel within their academic curriculum by providing employment resources and professional development opportunities.
Northwestern State University does not discriminate in its admission policy, program or activities on the bases of race, color, creed, handicap, national/ethnic origin, age, religion, sexual orientation or disabled veteran/Vietnam era veteran status in its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, or employment practices and programs. In additional to meeting fully its obligations of nondiscrimination under federal and state laws, NSU is committed to maintaining a community in which a diverse population can live and work in an atmosphere of tolerance, civility and mutual respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual, regardless of differences in economic status, ethnic background, political views or other person characteristics and beliefs.
Contact
NSU students enrolled in the Clinical Mental Health and Clinical Psychology Masters programs who are interested in an internship or assistantship in the office of Counseling and Career Services should contact:
Rebecca K. Boone NCC, LPC-S, LMFT
Sylvan Freidman Student Union, Rm. 305
(318) 357-5621
booner@nsula.edu
The Career Center is here to assist students and alumni plan, prepare and promote their careers by partnering with employers to bring a variety of opportunities to our students. Click here to visit us at our page.
Counseling Services
The professional staff of Counseling and Career Services helps students, staff, and faculty resolve existing problems, prevent potential problems, and develop new skills that will enrich their lives. Moving from one stage of life to another can be stressful and though an exciting time these transitions present multiple challenges, new demands, as well as opportunities for growth.
We recognize that stress experienced during critical transitional periods sometimes creates difficulties that can interfer with academic performance, relationships and one’s overall quality of life. These difficulties can often be alleviated through professional counseling.The counseling services provided by the Office of Counseling and Career Services are designed to promote and enhance the quality of life for individuals by offering prevention and early treatment or referral for developmental, emotional or interpersonal difficulties that arise.
Counseling services are delivered in several formats including individual, couples and group counseling, classes, and workshops. Consultation and outreach services are also available to faculty and staff, University organizations and departments.
All services are provided in the counseling center. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic Telehealth counseling services are offered to students via WebEx, Zoom and FaceTime if they are in quarantine.
To set up a counseling appointment students may contact the counselors by clicking on the Contact tab on this page or calling (318) 357-5621. Please take a minute to read our Covid-19 Prevention Guidelines before you visit our office.
If you or someone you know is struggling you are not alone. Join MTVU, MTV’s 24-hour college network and the Jed Foundation which explores college students’ emotional health in their Emotional Health 101 video.
Half of Us is a great resource to find ways take control of your emotional health; to use an anonymous screening tool to check your emotional health; to learn how to help a friend because you’re worried about him or her; and to get connected to get help for yourself or a friend
ULifeline is an online resource for college mental health. Learn more about mental health issues that impact college students, wellness, how to help yourself and your friends. To screen yourself for problems that may be affecting your thoughts, feelings and behavior click on the Self-Evaluator.
Man Therapy is an online tool designed to help men with their mental health. Take the “head inspection” assessment, live chat, crisis services and tools for handling stress and difficult life events.
For Student Veterans: Are you a current or veteran of military services? If so you may be experiencing difficulty adjusting to civilian life, relating to those around you, or finding groups of people with shared experiences that can help. For soldiers that have been deployed some PTSD symptoms may exist including nightmares, avoidance, feelings of danger, shame, guilt, or even depression. If some of these symptoms are present know that you are not alone and help is available! Please feel free to contact Northwestern State University Counseling and Career Services where we can provide you with a Licensed Professional Counselor or refer you to a Veterans Affairs center in your local area. Remember we are here to serve you!
KOGNITO Are you worried about a friend or a classmate? College can be a stressful time. Build the confidence to talk to a friend who may need help.
Make the Connection is a website for student veterans in higher education. There is useful information regarding life events experienced by service men and women, resources for making the adjustment to civilian and college life, information about common emotional, behavioral and mental health issues and mental health screening assessments, self-help programs and apps to help with coping challenges.
The Steve Fund is dedicated to the mental health and emotional well-being of students of color.
Crisis Services and Referral
Members of the faculty and staff are often the first to notice changes in the mood, appearance and behavior of their students. If you are concerned about a student’s behavior, call the Office of Counseling and Career Services. We provide consultation services to all members of the Northwestern community.
Call the Office of Counseling and Career Services at 357-5621 during office hours 8AM-4:30PM when there is an emergency and you must speak to a counselor. After 4:30PM and on weekends call the University Police at 357-5431 and they will contact a counselor for you.
Crisis Intervention and Referral Information for Faculty and Staff
Crisis Hotlines
The office of Counseling and Career Services will be closed from December 17 at noon until January 3, 2022. 24-hour Crisis Call Services will be suspended from December 17, 2021 to January 3, 2022. 24-hour Crisis Call Services will be resumed on January 4, 2022. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency please go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
National Suicide Hotline
800-273-8255 or 988
TTY: 800-799-4889
Text START to 741741
National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-4673
Eating Disorders Helpline
1-888-375-7767
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
1-800-422-4453
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233
TTY 1-800-787-3224
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Self-Injury Hotline
1-800-DONT-CUT(366-8288)
The Self-Injury Crisis Text Line
Text TWLOHA to 741741
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
1-800-232-4636
TTY: 1-888-232-6348
Veterans Crisis Line
1-800 273-8255 and press 1
Text 838255
The Steve Fund (for mental health and well-being for students of color)
Text STEVE to 741741
The Black Mental Health Crisis Text Line
Text COALITION to 741741
LBGTQIA Trevor Project Hotline
1-866-488-7386
National AIDS Hotline
1-800-342-2437
Trans Lifeline
1-877-565-8860
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN)
1-800-656-4673
Mental Health Resources
Here are some links that may be helpful to you. If you have a favorite link you think should be included on this site please email us and let us know.
Abuse and Violence
Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Anxiety
Apps
Black Community Resources
Depression
Eating Disorders
Grief and Loss
Health and Wellness
LGBTQI+
Mental Health Resources
Relationships
Self Assessments and Screenings
Self-Help
Self Injury
Sexual Health
Stress
Services for Veteran Students
Are you a current or veteran of military services? If so you may be experiencing difficulty adjusting to civilian life, relating to those around you, or finding groups of people with shared experiences that can help. For soldiers that have been deployed some PTSD symptoms may exist including nightmares, avoidance, feelings of danger, shame, guilt, or even depression. If some of these symptoms are present know that you are not alone and help is available! Please feel free to contact Northwestern State University Counseling and Career Services where we can provide you with a Licensed Professional Counselor or refer you to a Veterans Affairs center in your local area. Remember we are here to serve you!
VA Outpatient Clinic
740 Kyser Avenue
Natchitoches, LA 71457
318-357-3300
Veterans Crisis Line
1-800 273-8255 and press 1
Text 838255
Staff
Rebecca K. Boone NCC, LPC-S
Director Counseling and Career Services
booner@nsula.edu
Counseling Services
Maggie Bossier NCC, LPC-S
Assistant Director Counseling Services
welchm@nsula.edu
Zachary Veuleman NCC, LPC
Counselor
veulemanz@nsula.edu
Career Services
Rachel Cunningham MA
Assistant Director Career Services
cunninghamr@nsula.edu
Sarah Burkhalter
Location and Development Officer
burkhalters@nsula.edu