NIU students experiencing relationship problems soon will have a place to turn.

The NIU Psychological Service Center is forming a free psychotherapy group for men and women, ages 18 to 24, who are experiencing difficulties in their relationships.

Clinical Psychologist Carol Yoken, head of the program, said groups can help people to better deal with their problems.

“Members of the group usually benefit from hearing each other’s experiences,” Yoken said. “Having a group leader can help members open up and leaders can help find ways to help with what they are experiencing.”

Kristin Schaaf and Kerri Lehman will lead the group. Both have master’s degrees in clinical psychology and are working toward their doctorates in clinical psychology.

“The goal we want to achieve with this group is to help any members having problems in their relationships,” Schaaf said. “One focus of the group will be how current relationships are affected by family experiences.”

Schaaf said the group is open to anyone, but is geared mainly toward NIU students.

“We ask that there is an eight-week commitment to the program,” she said. “The reason for this is we feel that members can get more out of the program if they stay with it longer.”

“We conduct a screening interview so we can determine if people will benefit from this group,” Schaaf said. “This group is based on people’s problems from mild to moderate, those with severe problems we will try to get the help they need.”

Schaaf said the group consists of six to eight people and will meet on Tuesday nights starting in November. For more information call 753-0591.