Almost all full-time Moravian students are eligible for free therapy at the Counseling Center, located at 1307 Main Street. In addition to one-on-one services, the center also offers couple and group sessions along with other events and outreach.
I’ve been using these services since I was a first-semester freshman, and they have honestly been transformative. I had always been a little nervous about starting medication to help manage my anxiety, but my therapist has always been an encouraging force that I honestly needed more than anything else. Without my regular appointments, I likely would have never pushed myself to make the changes necessary to improve my standard of living, so I cannot thank the center enough for providing me with these resources.
I’ll be honest and say my medication journey has not been easy – my general practitioner advised me to see a psychiatrist since I was having such bad side effects from the medication that is usually used for those who show similar symptoms as me. Psychiatrists are often expensive and difficult to get into (in less than a year), but Moravian also offers a telehealth service that can help many students access mental health medication who may not be able to access it otherwise. I sure know that this program has helped me.
Besides helping students receive medication, my one-on-one sessions with my counselor have helped me grow as a person. I grew up in a very small town that did not have access to a lot of things, let alone a therapist that was covered by my insurance, so for most of my childhood, I traveled two towns over and coughed up a costly co-pay to see a therapist – the same one that everyone in my town saw. So having access to free, and genuinely beneficial counseling, has been a life-changing experience for me at Moravian.
I’ve seen my fair share of therapists, and I’m sure everyone clicks with different people, but I felt like I had never really grown from my sessions before Moravian – I sometimes feel like they did more harm than good. But, even when I’m working through uncomfortable sessions, I always feel like I’m working towards something with my counselor.
I know I probably sound like a broken record, but I am genuinely so thankful that Moravian offers this service, not only for me but for all students who may not have access to therapy outside of this manner.
I know many people who utilize this service, and I’ve only ever heard good things about their experience. Outside of the wonderful therapists and counselors, the Administrative Support Assistant, Melissa Miller (more commonly known as Mel) is so beyond sweet and helpful, and she always makes sure that I have a positive experience, just in the waiting room.
And, the Counseling Center is a jack of all trades; they host important events and group sessions that the entire Moravian community benefits from. Upcoming, on March 12, they are hosting their annual Sister to Sister Group from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the center, which…On March 12, they are hosting a Sleep Awareness Event at the PPHAC table from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on March 18, they are hosting a Wellness Workshop in PPHAC 116 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. dedicated to building one’s body image. On March 27, they are hosting Mental Wellness Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in PPHAC, and then their Mindfulness Outdoors event on the PPHAC Patio at 3 p.m. on the same day. And this is all in March! The Counseling Center does SO much more than just therapy services, so thank you to everyone who makes these events and groups possible.
So, shoutout to Kelly Waechter, the Assistant Director of the Counseling Center (and my therapist!), and all of the other wonderful workers in the Counseling Center; you truly make a difference in everyone’s lives, and we cannot thank you enough for the service you provide to all Moravian students.
If you are interested in signing up for counseling services, fill out this form or email the center at [email protected]. Sessions tend to book up pretty quickly, so try to reach out early next semester if there are no available sessions that match your schedule.
