the review washburn university
Former custodian Gary McDonald overcomes prostate cancer A3 Serving Washburn University since 1873
WWW.WASHBURNREVIEW.ORG • (785) 670-2506 • 1700 S.W. College • topeka, kan. 66621
Christina Butler WASHBURN REVIEW
burn than in a clinic where the therapists have a higher workload. The process for a patient to For people that suffer from anxi- visit the clinic starts by contacting ety disorders, the fear of dealing with the clinic. The clinic doesn’t have social situations can cause trembling, a secretary devoted to the anxiety blushing, sweating, or feeling ill. One clinic; the secretary at the psycholWashburn department has a solution ogy department takes a message. to assist those suffering with these A therapist will then contact the feelings. individual and asks a few screening The psychology department at questions. Finally, they schedule an Washburn University operates the initial appointment. At the appointPsychological Services Clinic. ment the individual fills out a quesThis fall in addition to targeting tionnaire and a consent form. anxiety, the clinic also provides as“The consent form helps [pasistance with other problems such as tients] to understand the role of the depression. clinic when it comes to confidenti“It is staffed by therapists who are ality,” said Turk. “We go over the in our master’s program, with an em- clinic rules, fill out a few questionphasis on clinical skills, so these are naires, and then we do a structured people studying to become master’s clinical interview with them.” level psychologists,” said Cynthia L. The interview the clients end Turk, assistant professor and anxiety up going through is designed so that clinic director. “The clinic serves as everyone who comes into the clinic the area where they do their training receives the same set of questions to and each therapist is under the super- answer. It’s with the idea in mind of vision of a licensed psychologist, this making sure that there is no missed semester I am the licensed psycholo- information. gist who is supervising The following in the clinic.” session allows the COPING WITH client to receiveforfeedAccording to Turk, ANXIETY the emphasis will be on back about their inrecruiting people who terview and also look have problems with over a treatment plan that has been anxiety and also might be dealing with proposed. another linked issue.. The rules for confidentiality are “A lot of times people who have similar to any therapist. The clinic’s anxiety are also depressed,” said Turk. release of any information, even to “Depression and anxiety go together a a spouse or medical doctor would lot.” only be allowed if the individual While the clinic does accept peo- gives written permission for the ple with various issues, they do not physician to share information with serve children or adolescents. another party. “We see Washburn students, we If the individual does not sign see faculty and staff at Washburn, we the form, the clinic doesn’t release see people from the community,” said any information, not even that the Turk. “The focus [of the clinic] is on person attended, to any third party. adults.” The only exceptions are involvThe clinic actually has a small ing safety issues or legal matters in enough number of clients that the ther- which a court subpoenas the records. apists are able to only see two to three A safety issue could involve the safety at a time. This allows the therapists to of a child, another person or the person devote their time and attention to each themselves. of the sessions. The clinic tries to accommodate to They are also able to get super- each client but there is are treatments vision on how they should help work that are used commonly which are part with their clients in the future and of nearly every clients’ sessions. gives them experience that will serve “We focus on empirically supbeyond their training experience. ported treatments; that is kind of a big Turk believes that patients may thing in the psychological field and even receive more attention at Wash- in the medical field now,” said Turk.
volume 137, Issue 5 • wednesday, September 22, 2010
Don’t sweat it
“That means the kinds of things we recommend in terms of things that might be helpful to the people coming into our clinic are based on the research literature.” So if a student coming in has problems with panic attacks, the treatments that we recommend will be tailored to their individual situation, but the main aspects of their treatment will be drawn from techniques that have been shown to be helpful from scientific studies. This technique is not used everywhere, though this is the way the field
is moving. After graduation many of the master’s level therapists serve the Topeka community in facilities such as Community Mental Health Centers, Family Service and Guidance Center and other facilities in and around Topeka. “The program has been around long enough that it has really had a pretty profound impact on a lot of other organizations through our graduates who work there,” said Turk. So for students, faculty, or community members who are suffering
Graphic by Maggie Pilcher, Washburn Review
from anxiety disorder or any other form of phobia, depression, or other problems, and seeking help, call Washburn University’s Psychological Services Clinic which can be reached at (785) 670-1564.
Christina Butler is a freshman mass media major. Reach her at christina.butler@ washburn.edu
Washburn preps for flu season Timothy Lake WASHBURN REVIEW
adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop up to five to seven days after becoming sick. Some people, especialEven without a major threat from ly children and people with weakened a new strain of influenza, the flu sea- immune systems, might be able to inson is still approaching, which means fect others for an even longer time.” a renewed push for getting vaccinated Andrew Herbig, assistant profesagainst the flu bug. sor for the biology department believes Pat Schneider, R.N. for Wash- this prolonged infection is because of burn Health Services, said there is more health problems concurrently only one flu occur for older shot this year. age groups and This vaccine young children works against compared to colthe swine flu, lege students. as well as the Campus common influcommunities enza virus. The have a lot more health clinic is people in close planning on a proximity. Herflu clinic in Mebig had a small morial Union suggestion to - Pat Schneider to help make keep the flu the vaccination R.N., Health Services from spreading process faster while at Washand easier for burn. students. “As we get It is important for students to in the season of sniffles and sneezes, get vaccinated that are at higher risk one of the best practices, is coughincluding those with asthma or aller- ing into the elbow, not right into the gies. hands,” said Herbig. “You may be able to pass on the Herbig would also say that with flu to someone else before you know stress and lack of sleep, students’ imyou are sick, as well as while you are mune systems are weakened, making sick,” said Schneider. “Most healthy it easier to catch a sickness. But Sch-
“
You may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick
”
Washburn English professors participate in a Top City Poetry reading
A6
A3
Washburn loses to Missouri Western in the final minutes
sports
Camille Cooper explains America’s obsession with physical beauty
a&e
news & opinion
Graphic by Maggie Pilcher, Washburn Review
A7
neider also pointed out that physical health does not mean students can neglect getting the shot. “While exercise and proper nutrition do make a student healthier, and decreases the chance that people will get the flu, it does not give a complete prevention of the flu,” said Schneider. According, to Schneider, it is also important that students know that the flu is not a gastrointestinal issue. The flu is a respiratory virus, and symptoms include a headache, sore throat, and cough. “There is a small percentage that people can have a reaction, but its so minute to what can happen if you have the flu, its well worth getting the shot,” said Schneider. The health clinic at Washburn University will start giving vaccines on Oct. 1. Schneider said the shot will be $12, and students will have to sign a consent form. More information regarding costs and what students need to bring will be on their website.
Timothy Lake is a sophomore mass media major. Reach him at timothy.lake@washburn.edu