Human Development Clinic
1501 S. 3rd Ave. Bozeman, MT 59715 406.994.4113 Big Sky satellite clinic: 406.570.3907 |
- to provide low-cost mental health services to the adults and children of the Gallatin Valley and beyond
- to serve as a training facility for graduate students in marriage and family counseling and mental health counseling. All graduate student counselors are supervised by university faculty who are licensed mental health professionals.
- Individual counseling
- Couple, child, and family counseling
- Career counseling
- Parenting Through Divorce workshops
- Consultation and referrals
We also offer opportunities for continuing professional development and education. Research is conducted at the clinic to gain a better understanding of the counseling process and to regularly upgrade our services.
An essential component of counseling involves a collaborative relationship between the counselor and client in order to guide the client toward greater understanding of himself or herself. The client and counselor work together to establish the client's goals and explore issues which may include those related to the client's family of origin history, repetitive patterns, or grief and loss. An important aspect of the therapeutic relationship includes providing the client with an interpersonal experience that feels and looks different from other relationships in the client's life that have been difficult. The idea is that, through this therapeutic relationship, the client may learn more effective tools and ways of being that he or she may take into their daily life. The therapeutic relationship involves direct personal contact between counselor and client, mainly through talking during 50 minute weekly sessions. Owing to the intimate nature of these communications, client confidentiality is assured.
What kinds of difficulties often lead one to seek psychological services? Many people seek services when they are highly distressed and their ability to cope has been greatly challenged by stressful situations or by symptoms/behaviors that are problematic. Thus, conditions such as depression, anxiety, excessive fears, eating disorders, and chronic sleep difficulties suggest the need for psychological consultation. Also, strained relationships, school failure, parenting difficulties, loss of a parent, or other stressful occurrences often suggest the potential usefulness of psychotherapy.Sometimes, individuals seek therapy to learn to cop with feelings associated with long-term issues such as childhood abuse, psychological or physical trauma, parental divorce, school achievement problems, or the lack of affection and nurturance during childhood.
Others initiate therapy when they become aware that their current relationships may be affected by ineffective communication and interpersonal styles. Also, many individuals find counseling helpful in increasing their self-awareness or life satisfaction by clarifying their goals, becoming more aware of emotional needs and feelings, and addressing developmental tasks of life through the support of a therapeutic relationship.
Your first visit
- When you first contact the Clinic, an "intake" appointment will be scheduled for you. This is a free, initial consultation wherein you will meet with an intern who will gather your history and information about what's currently troubling you.
- You will be asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled time in order to fill out some initial paperwork, which includes a personal information form and information about the Clinic that we ask you to sign.
- When you arrive at the Clinic, come in the front door and you'll find an intercom in the entryway; push the button, identify yourself, and someone will bring down your paperwork.
- At this time, you will also receive information about the Clinic, including our policies and procedures.
- Your fee for ongoing sessions will also be determined at this time and is based upon a sliding fee. We will ask you to provide us with your annual income in order to determine your fee.
- The intake appointment is a time to meet your and to be sure we can meet your needs. If it is determined at that time that your needs may be better met elsewhere, we will provide you with competent referral resources.
Ongoing treatment
- Upon completing the intake session, you will be assigned to a counselor. If you are seeking couples or family counseling, you will be assigned to two counselors who will both meet with you on a regular basis.
- You will meet with your counselor(s) once a week for 50 minutes.
- Your counseling sessions are your to use as you need; many people find it helpful to talk about their past, including their experiences within their family of origin and other relationships; others feel it's important to discuss what's happening in their life currently. Counseling may be a place to make some connections between one's past and present experiences and to gain related insight. Your counselor is available to support and encourage you during your sessions.
Counseling related to
- Personal adjustment: stress, anxiety, loss, depression, grief, self-esteem, confusion, anger, academic career, or lifestyle concerns
- Interpersonal relationships: dating, premarital issues, sexuality, loneliness, or shyness
Parenting
- Parenting through Divorce: this workshop is offered on the first Saturday of the month and focuses on facilitating children's adjustment and well-being through the divorce or separation process; the workshop lasts for three hours and follows a video format with related handouts
Fax: 406 994-6417
Mailing address: 215 Herrick Hall, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717-3540
- Monday - Thursday 9:00am-8:00pm
- Friday 9:00am-4:00pm
If you have any questions, please call us at 994-4113. There is no charge for initial consultations.