Source: Kristy Archuleta, 785-532-1474, kristy@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Jane Marshall, 785-532-1519, jpm2@k-state.edu

Friday, Oct. 15, 2010

STUDENTS NEEDED FOR FINANCIAL COUNSELING PROJECT

MANHATTAN -- Money troubles? What happens when you abandon traditional financial counseling methods and use marriage and family therapy models to change financial behavior?

Kristy Archuleta at Kansas State University's Institute of Personal Financial Planning Clinic, downtown Manhattan, is looking for K-State students to help answer that question.

"We're looking for students who will commit six to 10 weeks to the Solution Focused Financial Counseling project," said Archuleta, an assistant professor in K-State's School of Family Studies and Human Services.

Students will receive free counseling sessions about money troubles and be compensated up to $75. Archuleta hopes to have the slots filled by Friday, Nov. 5.

"Students will be helping us test a type of treatment that may help others with similar problems," Archuleta said.

Traditionally, financial counseling methods focus on problems and look into the client's history.

The model to be tested involves multiple counseling sessions and is strength based, she said. Students will learn about their personal strengths and learn how to use them to change their financial behaviors.

For information, contact 785-320-7636 or fpclinic@k-state.edu.

The clinic is the first of its kind to offer financial counseling blended with relational therapy services to the Manhattan area.