Student Counseling Center

Therapy Services 

Eye Movement desensitize & Reprocessing (EMDR) - structured therapy that encourages the patient to focus briefly on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements), which is associated with a reduction in the vividness and emotion associated with the trauma memories. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an extensively researched. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - a structured, goal-oriented type of talk therapy 

Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy) - refers to a variety of treatments that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors 

Disordered Eating Support - We will work with you, your doctor, and a nutritionist to get you the best possible support with disordered Eating 

Motivational Interviewing - approach designed to help people find the motivation to make a positive behavior change. 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - is a type of talk therapy that emphasizes acceptance as a way to deal with negative thoughts, feelings, symptoms, or circumstances. It also encourages increased commitment to healthy, constructive activities that uphold your values or goals.  

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) - is a structured program of Talk therapy with a strong educational component designed to provide skills for managing intense emotions and negotiating social relationships 

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) - is a research-supported treatment used to help individuals with trauma histories. It emphasizes how negative or incorrect thoughts about past trauma can fuel powerful secondary emotions that keep clients trapped in a negative spiral  

Appointments Offered 

Individual Counseling - Hour long one on one appointment with therapist 

Same Day Appointments - Same Day Appointments are offered everyday at the SCC from 1-4. These appointments are short focus -based therapy that can help when you have immediate concerns that need addressed. They are set up as a first come first serve appointment. 

Group Appointments - groups are offered throughout the semester. These consist of 3-4 people working in a safe and confidential Environment towards a common goal. 

Couple/Partner Counseling - Couples will  meet with a counselor who uses Gottman’s method and emotion focused therapy to work through relationship issues. 

Self-Schedule a Mental Health Appointment

How do Workshops and Group therapy work?

Benefits of attending groups or workshops:

• Increase self-awareness and understanding of others 
• Connect with others who have similar problems and experiences 
• Decrease isolation and loneliness 
• Receive multiple perspectives on your concerns 
• Enhance the quality of relationships 
• Experience meaningful and authentic connections with others 
• Develop new, healthier ways of relating to others 
• Identifying, experiencing and expressing feelings with greater ease 
• Increase confidence and self-esteem 
• Increase ability to give and receive honest feedback 
• Internalize lessons learned by helping others in the group 

What to expect when you sign up for a Group/Workshop Appointment:

• You will have a 30 minute intake appointment with a counselor. This will verify that our groups/ workshops are appropriate for you.
• During this appointment you will sign some consent forms and get an explanation of the group/workshop that you wish to attend. You will also be able to ask any questions you may have.
• After the intake appointment you will be added to Group/ Workshop and attend group meetings as scheduled.

Groups/Workshops:

We are not currently offering groups during the summer semester. Please check back during the Fall semester to see what groups we will be offering as these change yearly. 

The Student Counseling Center is a state accredited treatment center and can provide students with outpatient substance treatment services at no cost.  ** The Student Counseling Center Prioritizes pregnant women, women with dependents and IV drug users** 

• Students attending the SCC prevention programs indicated “It was tailored to me and felt super personal”, “I learned a lot of good information”, “I feel like the topics discussed were related to my reason for being there”. 
• 97% of students surveyed indicated the educational class or session was helpful.
• 100% of students surveyed indicated they learned one or more strategies to lower their alcohol/drug related risks.

Therapy Services Defined: 

Referrals -Students can be referred to the student counseling center after meeting with USD’s Student Rights and Responsibilities office, their lawyer, or The Clay Counties States Attorney. If referred by one of these entities, please self-schedule an appointment below.  

Prevention Appointments Offered  

e-Chug -The e-CHUG is a brief, online alcohol abuse prevention and harm reduction program. The e-CHUG program involves a 15–20-minute online assessment of alcohol use with personally tailored recommendations for making change and reducing risk around alcohol use. Students will receive information on individual drinking patterns, specific health and personal consequences, unique personal and family risk factors and campus and community support and emergency services. 

BASICS - Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) is a program designed to assist students in examining their drinking and other drug-use behavior in a judgment-free environment. This is NOT an abstinence-only program. Instead, the goals are selected by the student and are aimed at reducing risky behaviors and potential harmful consequences. Services provided through the BASICS program are non-judgmental, non-labeling, and private. 

Diversion (Prime for Life) - Prime for Life© is an evidence-based motivational prevention, intervention and pre-treatment program specifically designed for people who may be making high-risk choices. This includes but is not limited to impaired driving offenders, college students, and young people charged with alcohol and/or drug offenses. It is designed to change drinking and drug use behaviors by changing beliefs, attitudes, risk perceptions, motivations, and the knowledge of how to reduce their risk of alcohol and drug related problems throughout their lives. Because Prime For Life includes both prevention and intervention content, it is also designed in a way that serves universal, selective and indicated audiences with program delivery options for each.   

Treatment Needs Assessment -Treatment Needs Assessments, also known as a, Drug and Alcohol Evaluation is an assessment that includes an interview with a trained clinician to review a person’s substance use and its impact on their daily life. Based on the information provided during the interview, an addiction counselor determines if the student meets criteria for a substance use diagnosis and recommends treatment services based on the assessment with the student.  

Outpatient Treatment Services - Outpatient treatment services provide individual counseling services to students who are diagnosed with substance use disorders. Also available on an outpatient basis are early intervention services for students who may have substance use related problems but are not diagnosed with a substance use disorder.  

The Student Counseling Center recognizes the unique mental health challenges faced by student athletes and is dedicated to providing tailored support and resources to meet their needs. Understanding the demanding schedules, performance pressures and transitions associated with collegiate athletics, we offer specialized services designed to address the psychological well-being of our student athletes. Our goal is to help student athletes succeed while prioritizing their mental health. The Student Counseling Center offers a few different and unique appointments when it comes to our student athletes. Please read the descriptions below and sign up for an appointment that fits your needs.

Sports Psychology Appointment

Schedule Sports Psychology Appointment

Athletics Mental Health Appointment

Schedule Mental Health Appointment

Athletics Same Day Appointment 

Schedule Same Day Appointment

Unfortunately this is not a service our office provides.

If you are located on campus your first step would be meeting with disability services.

If you are located off campus you would need to reach out to your primary care provider or long term therapist for assistance.

If you have any concerns with the care you are receiving, please follow the guidelines below:

1. Talk about your concerns with your counselor 
2. If you still have issues, then contact the director of the Student Counseling Center 
3. If the situation still has not been resolved, you have the right to file a grievance with the Dean of Students and the board. The link below outlines this process. 

Grievance Procedure

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Coyote Care

Powered by Uwill Coyote Care is a program that connects students to a 24/7 clinic support line staffed exclusively by licensed mental health professionals. The support line provides free immediate access to a direct crisis connection.  The service can be used by all students, whether on or off campus, or abroad.

Students can access Coyote Care by calling 833-569-1686.

Students also have free access to on-demand wellness programming through Uwill’s easy to use online platform. Enjoy a wide range of wellness options such as yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and more! Uwill helps students discover greater focus and balance as they navigate the semester and works as a complement to therapy.

To access:

• Create a profile with Uwill 
• Choose wellness from the left navigation menu 

Coyote Care can provide immediate, in-the-moment assistance to students going through a crisis, but students who are seeking long-term mental health services should reach out to the Student Counseling Center, whose team of licensed professionals offers a wide range of services including individual counseling, group therapy, prevention services and more.

The safety of our students, faculty, and staff is paramount to the University. We have emergency procedures in place to ensure the effective management of emergency efforts involved in preparing for and responding to situations associated with emergencies.

Click Here to See All Emergency Options

The Drunk Goggles form at the Student Counseling Center at the University of South Dakota is used to facilitate participation in alcohol awareness and prevention activities. These goggles simulate the effects of alcohol impairment, helping students better understand how alcohol impacts coordination, perception, and decision-making. The form ensures that participants are informed of the activity's purpose, guidelines, and any safety considerations. It serves to promote education on responsible decision-making and the consequences of alcohol use.

Drunk Goggles Form

Evaluation for Therapy Session Form

Request for New Counselor Form

The University of South Dakota’s Student Counseling Center offers training opportunities for graduate students in the field of counseling, social work, alcohol and drug studies and clinical psychology.

The mission of our training programs is to support the growth and develop of future professionals and assist them in building skills and knowledge necessary to function as entry-level mental health professionals. The intern training program at The Student Counseling Center is committed to an internship that emphasizes the professional and personal development of its interns. Our desire is to provide a safe place for professional-in-training to develop their own professional identify, counseling style, client conceptualization and self care strategies.

Program competencies:

• Supervision 
• Ethical and legal standards 
• Individual and cultural diversity 
• Advocacy and Professional Identity  
• Communication and interpersonal skills 
• Professional values, attitudes, and behaviors  
• Assessment 
• Intervention 
• Treatment planning and development  
• Consultation and interdisciplinary skills 

Graduate Students in Counseling and Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Masters of Social Work program are encouraged to apply. Training begins in the middle of August with a 2-day orientation and the regular internship begins the first day of classes of the Fall semester. All internships last the duration of the academic school year from August to May (all breaks coincide with students break).   

Apply for Internships & Assistantships