College is a time of change, new experiences, and discovering who you are. Between classes, relationships, and adjusting to life away from home, students can sometimes feel overwhelmed. At SNU, Renew Counseling Center provides a place for students to work though these challenges and receive support for their emotional and mental well-being.
Holly Sapp, clinical director of Renew, said counseling can help students navigate many changes that come with living independently and becoming an adult. Along with counseling clients, Sapp trains and supervises counselors to ensure they have the guidance needed to serve others.
“College students are trying to figure out who they are themselves,” Sapp explained. “Counseling often provides a place to talk through those things and process out loud.”
Renew provides individual counseling for students, faculty, and staff as well as members of the surrounding community. The center helps people experiencing depression, anxiety, relationship struggles, attention difficulties, grief, and major life decisions. Students also can seek counseling while adjusting to college, changing majors, or navigation relationships with friends and family. R
For many students, college is the first time they have had to make important decisions independently. Along with academic responsibilities, they may be learning to manage finances, finding a community where they feel like they belong, and establishing new routines. Sapp explained that even everyday responsibilities, such as finding a new doctor or church, can feel overwhelming when students are learning to manage life on their own.
To make counseling more accessible, Renew offers reduced rates for SNU students. Students receive their first five sessions free, followed by five sessions at $5 each. After those sessions, counseling costs $10 per session.
Renew works to make scheduling a first appointment accordingly less intimidating. Students can visit Renew Counseling Center’s website and select the option to schedule an appointment. The process typically begins with a phone consultation, during which a therapist asks basic questions and helps match the student with a counselor who may be a good fit.
Although taking the first step can feel uncomfortable, Sapp emphasized that students don’t have to navigate the process alone.
“Your therapist is there to help you through it,” Sapp stated.
She explained that counseling can involve discussing difficult experiences or considering situations from a different perspective. However, working through uncomfortable moments can help clients develop greater confidence and recognize their own growth. Renew’s goal is to create an environment where clients feel supported rather than judged, using an approach known as unconditional positive regard.
In addition to individual counseling, Renew offers couples counseling and plans to expand its relationship focused services. Sapp shared that the center was preparing to host a seminar for premarital couples and seriously dating couples on Friday, Nov. 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. on campus.
Renew’s support extends beyond scheduled appointments. Because the center is located on campus, its counselors can respond when the Southern Nazarene University community experiences difficult situations, including grief, change, or loss. Sapp explained that the center works to provide additional support when students and employees need help processing their emotions.
The center was founded in 2012 when the university combined its student counseling services with its community counseling center. This merger allowed Renew to serve students and community members in one location while also incorporating counseling training. According to Sapp, having more counselors available has helped the center serve more people while offering reduced rates.
As Renew continues serving SNU and the surrounding community, Sapp said the center plans to respond to the needs of the people it services, whether those needs involve relationship difficulties, major life transitions, or grief.
“The best thing we can do is continue to find community and not try to avoid those emotions,” Sapp said. “The best way to do that is with community and making sure that you’re reaching out for support.”
For students who are hesitant to begin counseling, Renew offers an opportunity to talk through difficult experiences with someone who can help guide them. Students do not need to have all the answers or know exactly what they want to discuss before their first appointment.
As students navigate the challenges of college life, Renew Counseling Center remains a resource for support, guidance, and understanding. By making counseling more accessible and providing a place for students to work through their experiences, Renew reminds the SNU community that asking for help is a step toward growth.
Photos provided by: Paige Davis and SNU