VCSU Counseling Services

Home
VCSU Counseling Services

Our mission is to enhance personal growth, academic success, and lifelong learning by meeting the mental health needs of students, staff, and faculty.

13/01/2026

WELCOME BACK STUDENTS!
Quick Facts about VCSU Counseling Services:
Confidential • Free • Available to All Enrolled Students

Where to Find Us
Location: McFarland Hall, 3rd Floor (Rooms 327B, 327C, 327F)
General Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Evening Hours: Tuesdays, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM (McFarland 327B)

Meet the Team
Kelsie Carter, LPCC
Dorothy Russell, LPC
Allison Ziesmer, Graduate Intern

How We Help
No issue is too big or too small. Reach out for support with:
Stress, Anxiety, & Depression
Academic Pressure & Study Problems
Relationships & Identity
Sleep, Grief, or Trauma Support

📅 Book an Appointment
Email: counseling.services@vcsu.edu

Online Resources: vcsu.edu/counseling

05/01/2026

We have a new location on campus! Our office suite is ready for students to come back next week and we are so excited to show it off!

VCSU Counseling Services located in McFarland 327.

10/10/2025

World Mental Health Day, October 10, 2025, is a global reminder to prioritize mental wellbeing. It's a chance to raise awareness and make an impact that lasts all year long.

Call to Action:
1. Start the conversation: Break stigma by talking openly about mental health.

2. Share trusted resources: Post helplines, mental health resources, and practical tools on social media.

3. Show your support: Wear green today to show support for mental health awareness.

4. Take a mental health break: Self-care boosts happiness and supports emotional health, while reducing the risk of chronic health conditions.

5. Get involved: Participate in community activities, webinars, and workshops that promote mental wellbeing.

6. Raise your voice: Advocate for local, state, and federal policies that support mental health.

7. Check in with someone: Reach out to individuals in your life that may be struggling.

8. Donate or volunteer: Support community organizations and nonprofits.

9. Educate yourself: Explore mental health topics through research, podcasts, and inspiring stories.

10. Celebrate progress: Highlight stories of achievement and resilience.

https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/world-mental-health-day-2025/

07/10/2025

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month!

In collaboration with VCSU Allen Memorial Library, APOC (Abused Person's Outreach Center), SVFA (Sheyenne Valley Friends of Animals) and VCSU Green Dot, we are holding the Cats, Consent, and Cookies event on campus!

Join us on October 16 at the library to pick up some cookies and enjoy some kitty love and then head on over to the student center to gather information and resources about domestic violence.

Wear purple to show your support of domestic violence survivors.

For more information and resources on Domestic Violence Awareness Month, please visit: https://www.thehotline.org/stakeholders/domestic-violence-awareness-month/

19/09/2025

Su***de Prevention Month is September 2025

Each September, NAMI recognizes Su***de Prevention Month as a time to raise awareness, spread hope, and spark meaningful action around one of the most urgent mental health issues of our time.

Our goal is to ensure that individuals, friends, and families have access to the tools, resources, and support they need to talk openly about su***de prevention, recognize warning signs, and seek help.

This month: Start a Conversation. Be the Difference.

With one conversation, asking someone how they’re really doing — and being ready to truly listen — can save lives. Because here’s what we know: No one has to face this alone. Help exists. Healing is possible. And all it can take is for one person to start a conversation.

17/09/2025

Meet our Counseling Intern!

My name is Allison! I graduated from NDSU in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in human development and family sciences. I started my graduate program at NDSU for clinical mental health counseling in 2023 and am looking forward to graduating at the end of this school year. For fun, I enjoy reading, buying new plants and fish for my aquarium, and spending time with my family and my cats. I am so excited to be here at VCSU this year for internship!

17/09/2025

Meet our new Counselor!

Dorothy Russell has been a counselor for 10+ years. She is a North Dakota native, graduating from the University of Mary, Bismarck with a Masters of Science in Community Counseling. She specializes with couples and relationships, but also has extensive experience with Anxiety, Depression, Anger Management, and Sports related issues. "I have a strong belief that we are all doing the very best we can, with what we have.

08/10/2024

Join us on October 16 and November 13 for FREE Mental Health Screenings, Consultation, and Mental Health Resources in the Student Center. No appointment necessary. Walks-ins are welcome! If you are unable to make the screening date, please reach out to one of our mental health counselors to set up a meeting.

02/05/2024

The month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

If someone talks to you about their mental health, try these tips:
1. Listen - let them finish their sentence and complete thoughts without interruption.

2. Let them know you understand - this helps them not feel alone if you have experienced something similar. Don't switch the topic to yourself though....focus on their needs.

3. Avoid being judgmental - it takes courage to be vulnerable.

4. Let them know you are available to talk again if they need but also practice healthy boundaries with them. It is okay to say you are busy that moment. Set up a time later to have the conversation.

5. Don't turn what you've been told into gossip. It takes courage for someone to talk about personal things.

6. If you do not understand, do some research and learn about what you have been told.

7. Tell their loved one if necessary. If they express signs or symptoms that should not be ignored (thoughts or plans of harming themselves, hearing voices or seeing things), then help them get additional support. That doesn't make you a bad friend; it just means that the problem requires more help than you can give.

If someone you know is in a mental health crisis and needs help urgently, call or text 988, text MHA to 741741, go to your local emergency room, or call 911

For more information about having a conversation with someone about their mental health or how to start a conversation about your own mental health, visit:

https://mhanational.org/time-talk-tips-talking-about-your-mental-health

**This post is not in replaced of counseling or therapy. This post is for educational purposes only**

VCSU Counseling Services is free and confidential for all enrolled VCSU Students.

29/04/2024

Affirmation: Imperfection

Today, we embrace the perfection of imperfection and become grateful in our messes, mistakes, and "oops." A "perfect" plan can only be so interesting - so thank the happy accidents for shaking things up and leading to unplanned adventures and knowledge.

**This content does not replace counseling. It is to provide knowledge and gratefulness. VCSU Counseling Services is free and confidential for all enrolled students.

15/04/2024

Affirmation: Peacefulness

When we let ourselves have a peaceful, tranquil, and untroubled hear, we can choose to spend our time there. You may bring guests into your feelings of peacefulness but any person, thought, or event that brings chaos and drama are not invited.

Disclaimer: this is not counseling. the purpose of our content is to be educational and entertaining.

10/04/2024

Affirmation: Receiving

Open up and allow yourself to receive love and acceptance from all directions (including yourself!). It may seem scary at first but it is better than receiving junk mail, bug bite, and stale candy.

Address

Telephone

+17018457424

Website

https://www.vcsu.edu/counseling/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when VCSU Counseling Services posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to VCSU Counseling Services:

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic?

Country:

City: