The word “counseling” can be intimidating and prevent people from solving a problem. Sometimes it takes a conversation or two to find the answer. We are here to help you discover the best resolution for your need, whether it is helpful resources or walking through difficult issues together through counseling sessions.

Individual Counseling

Individual counseling offers a safe, confidential place to explore personal struggles and concerns. Counselors at The Well are good listeners and personal advocates who are gifted and trained in helping people sort out struggles and find lasting solutions. Counseling at The Well is a collaborative relationship. The counselor and the student work together to determine goals as well as the amount of meetings that will be most helpful.

Couples and Premarital Counseling

Whether students are struggling with serious dating conflicts, marriage or simply the normal difficulties of “getting serious” with someone, we’re here to offer encouragement and guidance in a way that helps you become more mature and God-dependent in this area of life. Several of our counselors are married and are gifted in helping young couples think through the impact of personality, family of origin, spiritual development and gender differences.

Group Counseling

Oftentimes we are more able to find our way down a difficult path when we realize we are not alone. Students in particular often find the deepest forms of encouragement from other students. At the same time, openly sharing with other students has its risks and, at times, can crash and burn. We offer peer-based groups under the guidance of a counselor who is trained in facilitating group discussions around difficult life issues.

Referrals

We are continually strengthening our relationships with resources in the greater Grand Rapids area who partner with us in addressing more difficult or long-term counseling and psychiatric needs.

Our Counselors are often invited by CU faculty to provide lectures on a variety of topics.

Our counselors often work with resident assistants and resident directors to facilitate frank discussions on difficult topics like sexuality, anxiety, depression, interpersonal conflict, family struggles and others. This setting also provides CU students the opportunity to connect with our counselors in a less formal setting than one-on-one counseling.

No one—unless our clients give us written permission to do so. The only exception to this are rare occasions when we believe that someone’s life (whether the client’s or someone else’s) is in danger. Our confidentiality policies are in writing and are reviewed with every client at the beginning of the first session.

Unfortunately, the phrase “getting counseling” is viewed negatively. In reality, getting help on anything shows strength and the desire to do your best with your circumstances. We all need people in our lives who are safe listeners and wise helpers. Counseling is one form of getting that need met.

Simply put, if it’s important to you, it’s important to us. Learning to approach your difficulties with smaller things equips you when the larger ones come along.

You are not forced to share anything. Our counselors will respect your choice to let us know what we can help you with, and when you do confide, we keep everything you’ve shared confidential. Not only do we have to protect your information by law, we understand the value of your trust.

We make every effort to match our resources with your personal needs. Nevertheless, there are times when we are not a good “match” or not as helpful—if this is the case, please let us know. No one should ever feel pressured to act like counseling is going better than it really is. If we aren’t being helpful, we want you to tell us so that we can figure out a better way to help you.

No one should be forced to change against their will. The atmosphere at The Well is non-judgmental and is based on personal integrity, that is, on every person’s right and responsibility to make independent choices about their life. Regardless of what (or who) may lead a student to The Well, we strive to affirm and offer the personal freedom that every person deserves to choose their own path.

We strive to make counseling seem more like a good conversation over coffee rather than a trip to the dentist. We are here to walk with you, not to “fix you.” On the other hand, we realize that people want to make progress in counseling (especially since the conversations can be difficult or painful)! We will work with you to make sure your time here is productive and useful.

Practically speaking, counseling sessions are approximately 50 minutes—but plan on one hour including checking in and out. We are committed to beginning and ending the sessions promptly. The total number of sessions varies with each person.

We want to make counseling affordable for every student. If you have university-based Health Insurance (through First Agency), it will cover 12 counseling sessions per year at no cost. If you do not, then we offer a sliding fee scale which is based on the student’s annual income. For most students, the sliding fee is between $1 and $3 per session. We do not bill private insurance.

Family members and friends are often the first to notice when a student is struggling, and can be the encourager a student needs to seek help. You can assure them that they can go to The Well for a confidential conversation, where they will find a safe, awkward-free environment. The easiest way to help someone take next steps is to check out our front page and review the next steps for how to schedule an appointment.

Yes, The Well recognizes the Bible as the source for understanding how to respond well to the struggles of life. Our guiding motto—Thirst, Drink, Live—is based on John 7:37-38: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

Yet sometimes people feel pressured by Christians to act, think and believe the “right way.” That is not our approach. We respect every person’s spiritual journey regardless of where it may be. We honor doubt and struggle and believe that God does as well.

We deeply appreciate the concern that friends and family often have for our clients; it can be a crucial form of help and encouragement. Nevertheless, we are legally and ethically mandated to keep client confidentiality, which prohibits even acknowledging whether or not a client has attended The Well. However, if our clients want us to talk to someone about their sessions they have the option of signing a document allowing us to do so.