By Emma Hayes
Nestled in a quiet corner at the end of Muntz Hall, Jill Trigg’s office is an escape from the bustle of college life. Muted music and soft lights offer comfort to those who pay a visit. For those who have never sought counseling, the first trip to this office may be intimidating. But Trigg has seen many students in her 7 years as an independently licensed counselor at UC Blue Ash. She’s met people with stories from home or the classroom, dealing with short term stress or lifelong mental illness, and has welcomed each one.
Trigg has known since childhood that she wanted to help others. She recalls acting as a mediator for her friends and fellow classmates as early on as third grade and knew that it was her calling to help those in need.
“The power to help someone is unbelievably rewarding,” Trigg said, “Nothing is better than seeing the relief that comes from someone when they finally open up.”
Trigg became a licensed counselor in 2006 after graduating with a master’s degree from Heidelberg University. Since then, she has worked with a variety of inpatient and outpatient clients. Trigg specializes in adolescent, family, and crisis counseling. This is an especially important set of skills when working in a space such as a college campus, where students arrive from a variety of backgrounds with their own collection of stories.
One such student is Gabbie Behrmann, who has visited Trigg for counseling before. “It’s important to have someone as unbiased as a counselor to help you figure things out,” Behrmann remarked.
Behrmann has been visiting Trigg for counseling since her first semester at UC Blue Ash. She needed such an unbiased opinion to help her work through a family situation. Recalling her first visit, Behrmann remembers how nervous she had been. “It can be difficult to be vulnerable,” she said.
However, she discovered that Trigg’s office was a safe space. Behrmann recalled that everything made the whole experience more comfortable–from the way Trigg spoke to how the room was decorated. Through counseling, Behrmann has learned to be more open with her emotions and thoughts and encourages others to see Trigg when they need to.
Behrmann’s attitude towards counseling on campus mirrors what many already believe. Twenty students responded to a survey on mental health counseling on campus. While the majority of those students never felt the need to seek out counseling, all students agreed counseling was an important resource for students. Students described counseling as “Definitely necessary,” and “Vital.” But a lot of those same students admit they do not know much about the counseling process. Many could not recall where Jill Trigg’s office was located in Muntz Hall, and only knew that counseling existed as a resource.
Still, students are becoming more and more aware of counseling on campus. Trigg reports that student attendance for counseling services is growing every year. Attendance shifts as the school year progresses, with spikes of students visiting during midterms or final exam weeks. It is common for students to seek counseling in the post-holiday winter season as well.
There is also no shortage of opportunities to get involved with social wellness on campus. When asked for ways to get involved, Trigg recommended the Social Wellness Group. The Social Wellness Group’s purpose is “To promote freedom of expression; to provide a safe space to find peace and your place; to make wellness a priority.” Trigg also noted the Wellbeing Series, in which guest speakers are invited to campus in the Fall and Spring semesters. There are also social work and psychology clubs at UC Blue Ash. Trigg urges others to start the conversation and educate themselves on mental health.
If you are looking to begin counseling with Jill Trigg, please visit Frances Lowery in the Deans Suite (Muntz 140) to set up your first meeting. Meetings can be organized over the phone at (513) 745-5670 or through e-mail at ucbacounseling@uc.edu as well.
When it comes to taking care of yourself, whether seeking counseling or not, Trigg has one piece of advice. “Believe in yourself,” She encouraged, “Focus on the smallest steps of progress along the way.”
