Therapy Services, located in Student Health, is a resource for all students. Therapists provide supportive individual psychotherapy for a range of issues, as well as consultation, referrals, and occasional group facilitation. Therapy sessions are free of charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Come to Therapy?

Students come to therapy for a variety of reasons, including struggles with alcohol or drugs, difficult life events, depression, anxiety, sexual assault or other forms of abuse, interpersonal challenges, identity issues, body image and eating concerns, procrastination, grief, and stress management.

Students may be referred by the assistant dean, a faculty member, or a friend. They may just be curious about therapy, or have questions about whether it is appropriate. Students don’t need to have a crisis or diagnosable mental health condition to make an appointment; students come in to discuss a range of concerns, large and small.

In addition to individual psychotherapy, therapists provide referrals for students who would best be served by a specialist or are interested in long-term therapy in the Santa Fe community. If medication is indicated, therapists can make referrals to the consulting psychiatrist for an evaluation and/or ongoing psychiatric treatment. Support and counseling groups can be offered as student interest allows. Possible group topics include mindfulness for stress relief, coping with social anxiety, and support for survivors of sexual assault. If a student would like to participate in a group, they can contact one of the therapists to discuss their interest.

What can I expect when I meet with a therapist?

Therapists are licensed mental health professionals with a broad range of interests and experience working with St. John’s students. Therapists are non-judgmental, objective, professional helpers. They won’t tell a student what to do, but they will ask questions, listen closely, and help understand what is troubling them in a new light.

Some students come for a one-time consultation visit; some come for many weekly appointments. The anticipated duration of therapy is something that can be discussed at a first visit.

Therapy is a collaborative process. Students are encouraged to share their concerns, questions, and goals for therapy with their therapist so that together they can establish the most helpful approach.