What Happens in Counseling?
Counseling is a type of learning…about oneself, one’s feelings, and one’s relationships with others. As in any learning environment, students will benefit most if they participate actively, attend sessions on time and are open and honest with the counselor.
In turn, the counselor will listen to the student’s concerns, assist him/her in setting and reaching appropriate goals and will respect his/her confidentiality. Our staff abides by the ethical principles of the American Psychological Association the American Counseling Association, the American Association of Social Workers as well as the American College Counseling Association. Students can expect to have services delivered in a professional, legal and ethical manner.
During the first one or two sessions, the counselor will gather basic information about student concerns, overall health, daily life, goals for service and other background information. Throughout counseling, student and counselor work collaboratively. In addition to “talk-therapy” sessions, students are often encouraged to try out new behaviors, to use books and other resources to increase their understanding and coping skills and to use other campus and community resources as appropriate. Often the “homework” which occurs between sessions is as important as the discussions that occur within sessions!
We work with students from a holistic perspective; this means that we consider emotions, behavior, health, relationships, attitudes and frames of reference and meaning. We attend to student resources and strengths, as well as to concerns or issues.
Participation in counseling is a personal choice. We encourage each student to talk with his/her counselor about any questions regarding progress, the therapy process, the counseling center policies and procedures and so forth. If student concerns require interventions that are outside the scope of our services, the counselor will offer referrals to other services on campus and in the community.