The university is taking steps to tailor its counseling servicesto fit the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students.
For years, the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Student Union oncampus has felt the university fails to recognize and meet the needsof its organization.
But now, Counseling and Psychological Services and LGBTSU areworking together to offer free outreach services to the LGBTcommunity. An experiences will be available once a week forconsultations.
Right now, doctoral intern Carrie Sakai will be the outreachprovider. Working with her will be CPS counselor Martin Doucett.
The goal of the program is to provide students with a visible,comfortable environment where they can discuss problems or issues.
LGBTSU President Ben Cartwright said the effort is a long overdueattempt to help LGBT students on campus, and he is thankful it hasbeen taken.
“We are satisfied, but there is a lot more work to be done,”Cartwright said.
The brief consultations will address issues including coming out,gender concerns, experiences of prejudice and discrimination, sex andrelationships, assistance and referrals in accessing LGBT sensitivemental health services both on and off campus.
“It’s good to know we have someone who’s qualified,” LGBTSU memberCaitlin Tinney said. “Right now, we’ve been having students sent tous, but we’re not counselors. We’re not trained to deal withthat.”
Family members or friends of students are also welcome at thesessions.
Efforts to provide phone-in, as well as e-mail, consultations arebeing discussed so students can seek services from the privacy oftheir homes or in a anonymous fashion.
“The point is to be as accessible as we can be, to be visible, tobe what’s needed,” Sakai said. “We’re going to take our best shot atwhat we think is needed and see how close we get.”
Doucett said the counselors are not focusing specifically on LGBTissues. Anyone experiencing other concerns, such as depression,anxiety or school-related problems is welcome to walk in to discussthem.
“We want this to be a part of the growth of services in general,”Doucett said.
The collaboration between CPS and the LGBTSU aims to provide asafe environment outside of a traditional therapeutic setting wherestudents can receive information, support and guidance. It is anattempt to ease the discomfort some students feel when trying to makea connection with others.
LGBTSU is also working with faculty and staff toward theestablishment of a resource center on campus. The center wouldprovide workshops, forums, conferences and training by professionalstaff about LGBT issues.
The drop-in consultation hours are from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.Wednesdays at the LGBTSU office, located in lower Aztec Center,Office 158B. Call LGBTSU at (619) 594-2737 and ask for “Outreach.”
