Counseling

Personal or psychological counseling offers you the opportunity to talk about social, emotional, or behavioral problems that are either causing you distress or interfering with your functioning. Counselors are trained professionals who can respond to your concerns in an objective and non-judgmental manner. The counseling relationship is unique in that it provides a safe forum for you to speak freely, knowing that what is shared will be kept private and confidential.

Some of the most common problems for which students seek help include the following:

• difficulty concentrating or completing academic tasks
• family or relationship problems
• procrastination and other self-defeating behaviors/habits
• issues of grief and loss
• difficulty managing stress
• coping with traumatic events
• domestic violence or sexual assault
• depression or lack of motivation
• anxiety or acute panic attacks
• problems with alcohol or other drugs
• issues with eating behavior and/or body image
• problems with anger
• sexual concerns
• compulsive behaviors

Personal and psychological counseling is, generally, available on a short-term basis. The length of treatment will vary according to several factors including your needs, our expertise in treating your particular problem, and the availability of our staff and other resources. Your initial session provides an opportunity for problem identification and treatment planning.

Typically, appointments are scheduled once every week or every two weeks. In cases where more intensive treatment is needed, we will assist in making referrals to other treatment providers in the community. We may also recommend the use of other support services both on and off campus to assist you in reaching your treatment goals.

Generally, services are by appointment only and are scheduled on the hour (i.e., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., etc.). Individual counseling sessions are typically 45-50 minutes. If you need to cancel an appointment, please notify our office as early as possible. This is a courtesy to other students who may be able to make use of that available appointment time.

The counseling process is, in many ways, like an educational experience. The client not only learns more about themselves, but also acquires new skills. Sometimes, counseling involves learning more about a particular condition (e.g., depression, anxiety, eating disorders) by which the client is affected, so that they can better understand treatment options.

Below are some examples of what students can gain from personal/psychological counseling:

• improved communication and interpersonal skills
• greater self-acceptance and self-esteem
• ability to change self-defeating behaviors/habits
• better expression and management of emotions, including anger
• relief from depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions
• increased confidence and decision-making skills
• ability to manage stress effectively
• improved problem-solving and conflict resolution abilities

Any information you share with a counselor is considered privileged information. This means that your visits and conversations are treated as confidential, and do not become part of any other college record. It also means that we would not disclose any confidential information without first obtaining your written consent to do so. However, on occasion, we may confidentially collaborate between our staff so that we may better serve you.

It is important for you to be aware that there are some legally mandated exceptions to confidentiality, such as:

• notification of relevant others when a clinician judges that a client is in immediate danger to self or others (e.g., in the case of suicide or violent assault);
• notification of Child Protective Services in cases of suspected child abuse, neglect, or maltreatment; and
• in legal cases, clinicians or clinical records may be subpoenaed by the court.