We serve students, faculty, and staff at NIU, as well as individuals, couples, and families who live in the surrounding communities of DeKalb.
“I've been so down lately. I can't sleep, I can't concentrate on school or work, and I barely feel like eating. I don’t know what’s going on or why I feel this way!”
“I’ve been fighting with my girlfriend a lot and things are just getting worse between us. I really care about her and want things to get better, how would we start to fix things between us?”
“I’m confused about my sexuality and overwhelmed with these feelings. I’m worried about coming out to my parents about this, how do I handle this?”
“My children’s behaviors are out of control! I’m so frustrated; I feel like I have tried everything to parent them, but nothing seems to work. What other options do I have?”
“My roommate found out that I throw up after dinner every night and she said I should see a therapist; I feel so out of control with my life.”
The Family Center of NIU provides mental health treatment for people experiencing a wide range of difficulties.
Many of these difficulties have to do with very ordinary things—identifying and addressing conflicts and problems with a partner, spouse, children, parents, siblings, an elderly family member, roommates; juggling responsibilities; or making decisions about marriage, friendship, school, or career.
Some difficulties go beyond the ordinary. Family Center professionals also help people with more persistent difficulties or more severe reactions to life’s stresses such as child or adolescent behavior problems; physical, sexual, or psychological abuse in relationships; drug or alcohol abuse; problems related to eating or sleeping; feelings of despair, loneliness, anxiety, fear, or thoughts of suicide.
In addition, we provide specialized couples assessments using the PREPARE and ENRICH couples’ assessment tools.
We periodically offer an adolescent girl’s empowerment group in collaboration with the DeKalb County Youth Service Bureau.
The Family Center has also collaborated with some NIU instructors to allow students in their counseling and family classes the opportunity to experience a brief exploration of the therapeutic process.