A college student's life is full of curve balls and unexpected obligations. Whether it's two to three tests in a single day or a time consuming job, life can often be overwhelming. The University of Memphis Counseling Center aims to help students reduce their day-to-day stress.
Located in Wilder Tower 214, the Counseling Center offers students a variety of options to momentarily hide away from their hectic schedules.
Victoria Maher, a senior psychology major, works as an undergraduate intern for the Relaxation Zone.
"The Relaxation Zone is an amazing opportunity for people. It's free and available," she said.
The zone is part of the Counseling Center located in Wilder Tower but students can make use of the Zone without having to see a psychologist and vice versa.
"It's here for you," Maher said.
The Relaxation Zone is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. There is no limit to the amount of times students can visit per week. The center encourages appointments, but walk-ins are welcome.
The Zone offers a single or double room with biofeedback technology that feature two programs, EM Wave and Wild Divine. EM Wave consists of a sensor that is worn on the finger and monitors the student's heart rate on a computer screen while using visual activities to help achieve a calm state. Wild Divine is a guided meditation led in a dim room.
The center has massage and meditation chairs, a small Zen garden and skilled orientation guides.
"I always wanted to be in the helping field," practicum graduate student and overseer of the relaxation zone Kera Smith said.
Smith and Maher give orientations to students visiting the Relaxation Zone for the first time.
According to Smith, men tend to be calmer but are more afraid to open up.
"It's a social stigma amongst men," Smith said. "They feel like they have to find their own solutions rather than coming here and finding help."
From depression to a rough day on campus, Smith said that the Counseling Center sees a wide array of stress related issues.
Maher sympathizes with student's struggles, and enjoys working at the Counseling Center because like-minded professionals surround her. On campus, she has the opportunity to be a helping hand to any and all students who need to talk.
Kimberly Williams-Collins is the practicum coordinator and staff psychologist in the Counseling Center. She trains future counselors and psychologists like Smith and Maher.
Williams-Collins, an alumni of the doctorate program at the U of M, learned that she wanted to positively impact student lives.
"Knowing my purpose is to support students who come in overwhelmed financially, in school, at work or in a relationship is privilege," she said.
The center offers individual and couples counseling on appointment and walk-in basis. Couples can be married, dating or even roommates, but at least one of them must attend the University.
According to Williams-Collins, couples can walk in for a brief consultation but must then make an appointment. Walk-in hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. The center opens at 8 a.m. Monday through Friday and closes at 7 p.m. every day except Friday, when it closes at 4:30 p.m.
