The Counseling Center provides a wide variety of resources that are excellent sources of information and support to help individuals with mental health concerns or needs. Self-help materials are not meant to be a substitute for therapy.   If you are a Texas State University Student and interested in counseling services, please go to the Counseling Center homepage for more information. 

If you are a Texas State University employee, please visit Bobcat Balance.

Division of Student Success Mental Health Resources 

Academic Support Resources

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Bobcat Mental Wellness Videos

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  • Relationships

    • Presentation recording is posted here

      Intended for: students

      This presentation discusses relationship strategies and provides some background for deepening our understanding of attachment and relational dynamics. Communication strategies and boundaries are also explored. Recorded live and presented by Texas State University Counseling Center's staff. 

      Run time: 54 minutes

      Presented by: Colleen Conklin, M.A . - Counseling Center

      A Closed Captioning option is available for this presentation.

    • Presentation recording is posted here

      Intended for: students

      This webinar was recorded live. Attachment styles are an important aspect of how we view ourselves and others in relationships. This webinar will briefly explore different attachment styles and how they provide a framework for understanding our emotional needs and communication styles in relationships. Healthy emotional coping and communication styles to support healthy relationship functioning will also be covered.

      Run time: 56 minutes

      Presented by: Chrissy Ammons, M.A. - Counseling Center

      A Closed Captioning option is available for this presentation.

    • Presentation recording is posted here

      Intended for: students

      Our mobile devices are called "smartphones" for a reason - they are very intelligent! Research has shown that while our smartphones have helped us in many ways, they've also had negative effects on us as well. Do you feel like you have experienced any negative consequences due to your smartphone usage? This webinar will cover some of the history of smartphones, the tactics that have been used to 'hook us," current research, and some possible ideas on how to have a healthier relationship with your device.

      Run time: 50 minutes

      Presented by: Melissa Glass, M.A. - Counseling Center

      A Closed Captioning option is available for this presentation.

    •  

      Presentation recording is posted here

      Intended for: students

      This presentation will cover several relationship/dating topics and tips including communication skills, ghosting, boundaries, conflict resolution, and characteristics of healthy versus unhealthy relationships. Students will be better able to identify their values in relationships and cultivate more satisfying connections in dating.
      Run time: 45 minutes
      Presented by: Erika Williams, M.A. - Counseling Center

      Closed Captioning option is available for this presentation.

    • Presentation recording is posted here

      Intended for: students

      There are many building blocks to forming healthy interpersonal relationships. In this presentation, participants can expect to learn about setting and maintaining boundaries with others. There will also be discussion of utilizing assertive communication skills to express oneself and advocate for one’s needs.

      Run time: 44 minutes

      Presented by: Tamyra Johnson, M.A . - Counseling Center

      A Closed Captioning option is available for this presentation.

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  • Coping Skills

    • Presentation recording is posted here

      Intended for: students

      This presentation will discuss what parental emotional neglect is, attachment styles and relational dynamics, how emotional neglect affects us, and how to cope with a neglectful past to create a brighter future. Students can expect to learn about the range of ways that our upbringing affects our self-image and perception of others, as well as how to utilize coping skills and change our relational patterns.

      Run time: 43 minutes

      Presented by: Austin Nader, M.A. - Counseling Center Doctoral Intern

      A Closed Captioning option is available for this presentation.

    • Presentation recording is posted here

      Intended for: students

      This webinar was recorded live. There are times for most people when self-motivation and accountability are challenging to implement. This webinar will introduce helpful strategies to jump start self-motivation and accountability. The skills presented are intended to help individuals hoping to bolster academic performance and continue to maintain personal responsibilities.

      Run time: 41 minutes

      Presented by: Shana Varnell, Psy.D.. - Counseling Center

      A Closed Captioning option is available for this presentation.

    • Presentation recording is posted here

      Intended for: students

      This webinar was recorded live. This webinar will cover the evolutionary function aspects of anxiety, physiological and cognitive symptoms of anxiety and increase your awareness of when anxiety is problematic and when it is functional. Lastly, the webinar will teach evidence based coping skills and practices for anxiety.

      Run time: 63 minutes

      Presented by: Cordell Spears, Psy.D. - Counseling Center

      A Closed Captioning option is available for this presentation.

    • Presentation recording is posted here

      Intended for: students

      This presentation will introduce participants to tips and techniques to improve one's social confidence skills in school and one's personal life. Participants can expect to learn more about social anxiety and problematic shyness and how they impact interpersonal communication.

      Run time: 50 minutes

      Presented by: Dr. Richard Martinez, Ph.D - Counseling Center

      A Closed Captioning option is available for this presentation.

    • Presentation recording is posted here

      Intended for: students

      This workshop will help you recognize when it is helpful versus when it is unhelpful, and identify coping skills to help manage anxiety when it becomes overwhelming.

      Run time: 35 minutes

      Presented by: Alyssa Fernandez, Psy.D.- Counseling Center

      A Closed Captioning option is available for this presentation.

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  • Mindfulness

    • Presentation recording is posted here

      Intended for: students

      Attend this one-hour session to learn several mindfulness exercises (e.g., grounding, meditation) that will help ease your anxiety and stress. Attendees will have time to practice the exercises during the session and ask questions about mindfulness. This presentation was a collaboration between the Grad College's Shop Talk series and the Counseling Center. 


      Run time: 48 minutes
      Presented by: Dr. Erica Mathis - Counseling Center

      Closed Captioning option is available for this presentation.

    • Presentation recording is posted here

      Intended for: students

      In this introductory webinar, you will learn what mindfulness is, its benefits, and mindfulness related resources.

      Run time: 51 minutes

      Presented by: Sergio Barrios, LCSW, Rebecca Gonzalez, Ph.D., and Jennifer Smith, LPC-S 

      A Closed Captioning option is available for this presentation.

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  • Self-Love and Self-Care

    • Presentation recording is posted here

      Intended for: students

      This webinar was recorded live. Sleep hygiene is important to overall health and well-being; however, it remains a neglected component of college students' lives. Healthy sleeping habits play a central role in stress management and academic success. In this webinar we will provide realistic tips on how students can establish better sleep practices. 

      Run time: 28 minutes

      Presented by: Elijah Miller, B.S., Mireya De Lara Vargas, B.A. - Counseling Center

      A Closed Captioning option is available for this presentation.

    • Presentation recording is posted here

      Intended for: students

      This webinar was recorded live. This webinar will explore the body's panic response and provides coping skills to navigate times where we feel those feelings of dread, fear, and anxiety.

      Run time: 52 minutes

      Presented by: Jordan Seidel, MA., MS. - Counseling Center

      A Closed Captioning option is available for this presentation.

    • Presentation recording is posted here

      Intended for: students

      This presentation focuses on increasing awareness of a more comprehensive view of eating behavior by reviewing the psychology of eating and various factors that play a role in our body’s digestion, nutrition, and eating behaviors. This presentation also proposes ways to build body trust, compassion, and positivity. Recorded live and presented by Texas State University Counseling Center's staff.

      Run time: 46 minutes 

      Presented by: Katie Kainer, M.A., . - Counseling Center

      A Closed Captioning option is available for this presentation.

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  • First Gen and International Students

    • Presentation recording is posted here

      Intended for: students

      This webinar was recorded live. This webinar, geared towards students, will discuss how various challenges, unique to first-generation college students, are currently impacting our first-gen bobcats' academic success and psychological well-being. The presenter's goal is to acknowledge and affirm these challenges while providing resources and tools to help first-gen bobcats achieve and maintain academic success and psychological well-being during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

      Run time: 54 minutes

      Presented by: Tiffany Adeigbe, MS. - Counseling Center

      A Closed Captioning option is available for this presentation.

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  • Student Resources

    • Presentation recording is posted here

      Intended for: graduate students

      Wondering how to attend to your mental well-being in graduate school? This Shop Talk will address factors that impact mental well-being in graduate school (e.g., work-life balance), as well as briefly cover skills for coping with common mental health concerns faced by graduate students (e.g., anxiety). This presentation was a collaboration between the Grad College's Shop Talk series and the Counseling Center.

      Run time: 26 minutes
      Presented by: Dr. Erica Mathis - Counseling Center

      A Closed Captioning option is available for this presentation.

    • Presentation recording is posted here

      Intended for: students

      Attend this webinar for an opportunity to practice coping skills (e.g., meditation, thought exercises) that will aid in managing feelings of stress and anxiety while in graduate school. This presentation was a collaboration between the Grad College's Shop Talk series and the Counseling Center. 

      Run time: 53 minutes
      Presented by: Dr. Erica Mathis - Counseling Center

      Closed Captioning option is available for this presentation.

      • Presentation recording is posted here

        Intended for: students

        In this webinar, attendees will learn about mental health resources that exists on campus and in the community. Attendees will also learn about various websites to search for mental health resources. 

        Run time: 40 minutes

        Presented by: Cheryl Nickell, LCSW-S - Counseling Center

        A Closed Captioning option is available for this presentation.

    • Presentation recording is posted here

      Intended for: students

      This presentation will cover how stress impacts our daily lives and provide methods to help alleviate stress along with plans for stress reduction. We will also discuss resources available to currently enrolled Texas State students. Recorded live and presented by Texas State University's Counseling Center Staff. 

      Run time: 45 minutes

      Presented by: Mireya De Lara-Vargas, B.A., Yesenia Lares Martinez, BSW Counseling Center Graduate Assistants

      Closed Captioning option is available for this presentation.

    • Presentation recording is posted here

      Intended for: students

      This presentation focuses on the impact social media has on our mental health.  Students will be able to identify how social media is valuable in their life, how their mental health can be affected by social media and ways to practice and maintain good mental health while continuing to utilize social media.

      Run time: 18 minutes 

      Presented by: Erin Griego, B.A., Counseling Center Graduate Assistant

      Closed Captioning option is available for this presentation.

    • Presentation recording is posted here

      Intended for: students

      Do you feel like you're stuck in a rut or not productive? This webinar is focused on identifying the difference between healthy boredom and low production. In our current fast-paced lives it's important that we don't judge ourselves by the task we complete. By keeping the mental engine running you will be able to identify when it's okay to be bored and learn skills for staying on track.

      Run time: 42 minutes 

      Presented by: Gilbert Lopez, LCSW, Counseling Center Specialist

      Closed Captioning option is available for this presentation.

    • Presentation recording is posted here

      Intended for: students

      This presentation will cover different learning styles, creative study techniques, the importance of sleep, and how to recognize and manage procrastination, stress, and even depression. It will also touch upon helpful test-taking strategies along with some interesting research on cognitive load and growth mindset. 

      Run time: 50 minutes

      Presented by: Melissa Glass, M.A. - Counseling Center

      A Closed Captioning option is available for this presentation.

Grief Support Resources

Everyone Grieves Differently

There is no right or wrong way to grieve.  Grieving is a personal and highly individual experience.  How you grieve depends on many factors, including your personality and coping style, your life experience, your faith, and the nature of the loss.  Whatever your grief experience, it’s important to be patient with yourself and allow the process to naturally unfold. 

Coping with Grief and Loss-Tip 1: Get Support

The single most important factor in healing from loss is having the support of other people. Even if you aren’t comfortable talking about your feelings under normal circumstances, it’s important to express them when you’re grieving. Sharing your loss makes the burden of grief easier to carry. Wherever the support comes from, accept it and do not grieve alone. Connecting to others will help you heal.

  • Turn to friends and family members – Now is the time to lean on the people who care about you, even if you take pride in being strong and self-sufficient.
  • Draw comfort from your faith – If you follow a religious tradition, embrace the comfort its mourning rituals can provide. Spiritual activities that are meaningful to you – such as praying, meditating, or going to church – can offer solace. If you’re questioning your faith in the wake of the loss, talk to a clergy member or others in your religious community.
  • Talk to a therapist or grief counselor – If your grief feels like too much to bear, counseling services are available to you at the Texas State Counseling Center.  Call 512-245-2208 during business hours and ask for an Urgent Appointment.  An experienced therapist can help you work through intense emotions and overcome obstacles to your grieving.

Coping with Grief and Loss-Tip 2: Take Care of Yourself

When you’re grieving, it’s more important than ever to take care of yourself. The stress of a major loss can quickly deplete your energy and emotional reserves. Looking after your physical and emotional needs will help you get through this difficult time.

  • Face your feelings. You can try to suppress your grief, but you can’t avoid it forever. In order to heal, you have to acknowledge the pain. Trying to avoid feelings of sadness and loss only prolongs the grieving process. Unresolved grief can also lead to complications such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and health problems.
  • Express your feelings in a tangible or creative way. Write about your loss in a journal. If you’ve lost a loved one, write a letter saying the things you never got to say; make a scrapbook or photo album celebrating the person’s life; or get involved in a cause or organization that was important to him or her.
  • Look after your physical health. The mind and body are connected. When you feel good physically, you’ll also feel better emotionally. Combat stress and fatigue by getting enough sleep, eating right, and exercising. Don’t use alcohol or drugs to numb the pain of grief or lift your mood artificially.
  • Don’t let anyone tell you how to feel, and don’t tell yourself how to feel either. Your grief is your own, and no one else can tell you when it’s time to “move on” or “get over it.” Let yourself feel whatever you feel without embarrassment or judgment.
  • Plan ahead for grief “triggers”. Anniversaries, holidays, and milestones can reawaken memories and feelings. Be prepared for an emotional wallop, and know that it’s completely normal.

When to seek professional help for grief:

If you are experiencing any of the following, it may be a good idea to contact a mental health professional in order to help you cope with your grief:

  • You wish you had died with your loved one
  • You blame yourself for the loss or for failing to prevent it
  • You feel numb and disconnected from others for more than a few weeks
  • You are unable to perform your normal daily activities

If you experience thoughts of suicide or wishing you had died with your loved one, please use the suicide prevention resources listed on this page or Call the Counseling Center at 512-245-2208 (select option #2 after hours)