There is a community ready to help by offering a listening ear to those who are hurting. The Counseling Center is a facility available to students who feel it is best to talk to a professional, no matter the issue.
Jeffrey Biddle, director of the CBU Counseling Center, described how he hopes the Counseling Center is perceived. He wants people to know it is a secure place where students can begin the process of healing through the power of Christ and find freedom from emotional bondage.
“Our goal is that our campus would see counseling as a very normal thing that everybody would participate in,” Biddle said. “I would love for our students to know that this is a normal thing, to process your emotions and pain with someone who cares and loves you and has some skill to help you process your pain.”
Students can make an appointment to meet with a counselor for as many sessions as needed.
The staff consists of a variety of professionals, including trainees completing their master’s program, interns, marriage and family therapists, and psychologists. These individuals work toward building relationships with students and creating an atmosphere of trust, so people will feel at ease sharing their personal feelings.
“We want our students to know that we really want to listen,” Biddle said. “I think one of the biggest gifts you can give someone is to listen truly; not with the intent to respond but listen with the intent to
understand.”
Biddle said he believes there is a misunderstanding one has to be at their breaking point when seeking counseling. In actuality, he said one can have a peace of mind. No problem, regardless of its severity, is insignificant.
Kayla Grigsby, senior psychology major, said she values the Counseling Center. Grigsby said she realized it was a free source she should take advantage of while attending school.
“The Counseling Center helps a lot with managing school; they give me ways to handle stress, anger, or if I’m feeling sad about anything,” Grigsby said. “They helped me in different ways to process everything. They’re very good with just listening to you talk.”
Although it may be intimidating to approach a counselor for the first time, Biddle and Grigsby encourage students to know they are not the only ones facing adversities in their life.
“I would not be scared to go because everyone has problems, even if it’s school, family or work related,” Grigsby said. “It’s a safe place; it’s a brave place and you can tell them anything and they’re not going to judge you either way.”
Biddle said people are not meant to heal on their own, but meant to heal within a community. Students can benefit from counseling because they are being heard and have a healthy outlet to release emotions, some for the first time.
“When people come in for counseling they want hope and help, and through God we can offer both,” Biddle said. “A person who’s been struggling in loneliness and pain and actually takes help and hope for the first time. We see dramatic change.”
