TRUMAN STATE UNIVERSITY (660)785-4014
University Counseling Services

Outreach Services

Liberal arts education has always meant educating the whole person.  The University Mission Statement and the University Master Plan establish personal, physical, and social development of students as important outcomes of student educational experiences at Truman.  The staff of University Counseling Services (UCS) is committed to supporting the University's efforts in these areas by providing the university community with educational programming, training and assessment services.

Options
UCS in conjunction with the Student Health Center provide programs in a variety of topic areas some of which are listed below.  These topics may be appropriate for clubs, organizations, and programs in residence halls.  Faculty may utilize the programming services in related courses or to address identified student needs.

Making a Request
Select a topic from the list of programs below or a similar topic of interest and fill out the online request form.  Due to service demands, we are most able to accommodate those requests made well in advance.  A minimum of two weeks notice is appreciated.

Program Topics

** Please note:  In addition to the programs listed below, STEP members provide a wide array of programming including presentations, small group discussions, role-plays, theater and games. Most programs are interactive and all encourage discussion of topics important to students.   Please visit STEP's web page for more information.

Alcohol Outreach Group: Through the use of peer interaction, participants will increase their awareness of problem behaviors associated with alcohol use.  Facilitators and students will explore, identify and challenge alcohol related attitudes and behaviors.  This program is offered monthly at UCS.  Contact UCS for the next scheduled date.

Balance: College is an important time to learn how to establish priorities and balance the many demands in your life. This program focuses on developing a personal mission statement and using that statement to achieve a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Enhancing and Maintaining Your Physical Wellness-Just Do It: The need for lifestyle balance in relationship to diet, exercise, and wellness will be explored in this program.

How Do I Love Me? Many college students struggle with negative opinions of their academic and social abilities. This program explores sources of low self-esteem and presents strategies to enhance your feelings of self-worth.

I Only Drink on Weekends: Binge drinking is often considered "normal behavior" among college students.  But what are the risks associated with episodic drinking and is the risk greater for one gender than it is for another?

Keeping the Blues at Bay: This presentation will offer its participants accurate information about the causes and symptoms of depression, available treatments, suggestions for being supportive of depressed parents, and an opportunity for self-assessment.

Liberal Arts and Life: Sometimes students are confused about the utility of a liberal arts education. This program will focus on how a liberal arts education can help students reach their greatest potential.

Loveline Live!: Just like the television show, our experts answer audience questions about sex and relationships.

Motivation: This program will explore the sources of motivation and strategies to keep going when the going gets tough.

Pillow Talk-How to Talk to your Partner about Sex: This program explores the many ways that a couple may discuss sexuality issues in a non-threatening manner. Emphasis is placed on communication and relationship building through open discussion of sexuality.

Reproductive Wellness-You're Old Enough to Know: Risk for genital cancers are rising in the college age population and young men and women need to know how to care for themselves. This program will provide students with a knowledge base that enables them to seek appropriate and timely reproductive health care.

Safe Zone: This program is designed to educate the campus community on gay/lesbian/bisexual issues and how we can better meet the needs of these students.

Self-Actualization: This program explores theories of human potential and identifies characteristics of those rare individual who are able to discover and actualize their potential.

Self-Esteem: Many college students struggle with negative opinions of their academic and social abilities. This program explores sources of low self-esteem and presents strategies to enhance your feelings of self-worth.

Self Care-I Can Do It Myself: Coughs, colds, cuts, bruises, flu...how do you take care of yourself and when do you go to the doctor? Common effective home remedies will be presented as well as information about when to contact your health care provider.

Stress Management: Students will learn to identify their own stress symptoms, recognize their sources of stress, and discover ways of coping with stress.

Additional Program are available addressing responsible drinking, smoking cessation, coping with grief, diversity, eating concerns, sexual identity, goal setting, homesickness, long distance relationships, and sexual abuse. Any topic focusing on personal, physical, and/or social development may also be requested.

Presenters

Brian Krylowicz, Ph.D., received a doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Texas Tech University

Sara Hallberg, M.S., is a graduate of Western Illinois University's Counselor Education Program.

Joe Hamilton, M.A., is a graduate of Northeast Missouri State University's Counselor Preparation Program.

Madeline Herrmann, M.A., is a graduate of Truman State University's Counselor Preparation Program.

Brenda Higgins, Ed.D.(C), MSN,  is a family nurse practitioner and doctoral candidate from the University of Missouri's Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis Program and Sinclair School of Nursing.

Phil Jorn, M.A., is a graduate of Truman State University's Counselor Preparation Program. 

Jane Maxwell, M.S.Ed., received her Masters Degree in Community Counseling from Southern Illinois University and is completing her doctoral degree in Counselor Education from Southern Illinois University.

Training Services

UCS offers training services to students, faculty and staff at Truman State University. UCS staff members are available to talk with a variety of groups regarding training issues. Common training topics include communication skills, suicide intervention, sexual harassment, and crisis intervention. UCS routinely provides training for the Residential Living staff and new members of Students Together Educating Peers.

Psychological Assessment Services

Upon request, UCS staff is available to provide a limited range of psychological testing and assessment services. The most commonly used instrument is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). In addition, several personal development programs fostering self-awareness and career/major choice utilizing the MBTI are regularly offered. Psychological testing practices at UCS conform fully with the ethical guidelines of the American Counseling Association and the American Psychological Association.

Students Together Educating Peers

UCS sponsors the Students Together Educating Peers (STEP) program. STEP is a group of Truman State University students trained to create a positive environment for open discussion about sexual assault and diversity issues. Presentation topics include, but are not limited to: diversity, date/acquaintance rape, sexual communication, sexual values, sexual harassment, Truman's sexual misconduct policy, sexual assault portrayal in the media, recovery and support systems.