Staying Connected: A Newsletter for First Year Students

University Support Services

Webster has many support services to assist your student toward success at the University. One such service is Counseling/Life Development. Some students are reluctant to utilize counseling services. Often their reluctance is based upon erroneous information and/or skewed perceptions of counseling and therapists. For example, one myth is that only the mentally ill go to therapy. Another example, all therapists are goofed up and that is why they are in the profession. Both examples are grossly exaggerated.

Let me share my philosophy of therapy. I am influenced by the ancient Greeks. The ancient Greeks developed the four Cardinal Virtues. Thousand of years after the end of the ancient Greek culture, the Christian Church embraced the four Cardinal Virtues and sprinkled on them the three Theological Virtues of faith, hope, and love. The four Cardinal Virtues are temperance, fortitude, justice, and courage. I want to examine the virtue of courage for a moment. In the modern world and in our English language a synonym frequently associated with courage is bravery. This is not what the ancient Greeks intended with the virtue of Courage. They were fully aware that a person could be brave without any kind of courage. The definition of courage for the ancient Greeks was being honest with oneself. The Christian Church will add that it is important to be honest with God who knows you better than you know yourself.

Therapy is an opportunity to be honest with self. When a person is honest with themselves, growth takes place. When a person is honest with the therapist, correct clinical skills are utilized. Counseling/Life Development offers students opportunities for growth. A university counseling center also assures students and parents there is someone on campus with whom your daughter/son can speak confidentially. It is reassuring to know that your student is not alone and there are caring adults who are eager to help. Any potentially life threatening situation affecting your daughter/son would warrant you being notified. Life threatening situations are not common occurrences. The Counseling/Life Development staff is well trained to handle life threatening incidences.

If you suspect your daughter/son is experiencing difficulties feel free to suggest that he or she use our counseling services. At times I have received communication from parents who are concerned about their student’s well being. Often I will contact the student and make them aware of mom and/or dads’ concerns. I will also encourage the student to visit me in my office. I have had pretty good success engaging students in utilizing counseling services. In addition to myself there are three other counselors. Feel free to contact me at stackpa@webster.edu or by phone at 314-968-7030. The Counseling/Life Development office is located in Loretto Hall, room 103.

Patrick Stack, D. Min., LMFT, LPC, NCC, CASAC
Director of Counseling/Life Development
Clinical Status and Approved Supervisor: AAMFT