Counseling Center

The NMSU Counseling Center has a range of counselors and psychologists that are here to assist NMSU students with career and personal counseling.

• Counseling services offered include individual, group, and couples.
• Services are free to NMSU main campus students and confidential.

Our Mission

To assist all students in developing to their fullest potential academically, socially, emotionally, and interpersonally. The Counseling Center recognizes that a student's academic success is dependent upon their emotional well-being, their belief in themselves, and their ability to successfully interact with the interpersonal world that surrounds them. We assist students by providing them with opportunities for self-exploration and growth, by offering needed support in times of crisis, and by providing career information and guidance.

Facts and Myths About Counseling

There are often misperceptions about the nature of counseling, as portrayed in the media. There is sometimes stigma or messages from others that it is "bad" or "weak" to seek help for problems that you might be struggling with. Some students postpone getting any help because they are fearful that someone will think that they are "crazy" or that something is "wrong" with them. The truth is, everyone struggles at different points in their life, and it takes tremendous courage to face those problems.

College can be a particularly intense experience for students and having a confidential place to talk about those difficulties and feel understood may prevent the problem from getting worse or the person from feeling isolated and alone. Our goal at NMSU is to break past the stigma of counseling and help students get through difficult times in as healthy a way as possible. We see men and women, as well as people of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds at the Counseling Center.

Myth: You're weak if you go to counseling.
Fact: It takes courage to enter counseling and explore difficult experiences and feelings.

Myth: Counseling is for "crazy" or unsuccessful people.
Fact: Many people have struggles in their lifetime at different stages of development and may benefit from discussing these issues with someone who is supportive and can help assess what options might lead to a happier and/or healthier life. Common problems include academic distress, anxiety, depression, disordered eating, and relationship and communication struggles.

Myth: A counselor cannot help me unless they are from the same background and have similar life experiences as me.
Fact: Counselors are trained to be sensitive and responsive to individual differences, including differences related to concerns regarding socioeconomic status, gender, racial/ethnic identity, religion, age, and sexual orientation. Your counselor will make an effort to understand your experience whatever the similarities or differences you share. If after meeting a few times with your counselor, you feel the person isn't a good fit for you, then you can request to work with another counselor to see if you can find a better fit.

Myth: A counselor will judge me.
Fact: It can be difficult to discuss certain topics with others, but in counseling, you are not there to be judged. The purpose of counseling is for you to have a safe space where you can talk about what you need/want to with less concern about what the person will think. Counseling is your space, and if you are feeling judged by your counselor, you can let the counselor know that so it can be addressed and resolved.

Myth: A counselor can solve all of your problems.
Fact: A counselor's job is to help empower you to solve your own problems, by helping you think through your problems, provide insights and feedback, and help explore the best options for you to solve your problems.

Myth: Counseling is unaffordable.
Fact: NMSU Students have access to up to 15 free sessions of counseling every academic year.