Student Counseling
The Student Counseling unit's experienced and trained staff listen to students' concerns about academic, emotional, or social problems.
What do counselors do?
- Listen non-judgmentally
- Provide clarifications and support
- Ask questions and offer suggestions
- Provide support during crisis
- Provide referrals when needed
What do students do?
- Talk about their problems
- Describe situations, thoughts, or feelings
- Share responsibility for a treatment plan
- Try new skills and options
Who else knows what I discussed with my counselor during my session?
- No one else knows what you discuss with your counselor. Counseling is a strictly confidential process.
Individual Counseling
Individual counseling is a cooperative effort between you and your counselor. Counseling is usually conducted through a weekly session in a safe, supportive, and confidential environment. Students benefit from selecting a preferred counselor, depending on the counselor’s availability. Students often seek the Center of Student Well-Being for assistance with issues such as problems in relationships, family issues, friends and peers, depression, obsessions, phobias, anxiety, culture adjustment, and drug abuse problems. Sometimes students also seek advice on how to help a peer or a family member. The first appointment is an initial assessment; when you visit our office, plan to arrive before your appointment. You will be given a form to fill in information about yourself for your counselor. The first appointment includes an explanation of the counselor's ethical role and confidentiality, a better understanding of the student’s concerns, and arranging a therapeutic plan.
Group Counseling
Students who share an interest in a psychological issue may approach our office for group counseling sessions facilitated by a counselor. The number of students in a group is usually eight. Students interested in forming or becoming part of a group must be committed to completing the group counseling program in its entirety; each session lasts for about two hours, and students must be willing to share openly in a group setting.
Dealing with Crises and Emergencies
Students approaching CSW in crisis are handled as an emergency. The first available counselor is asked to meet with the student in crisis. If all counselors are in session, a counselor is asked to end the current session, if not urgent, and address the crisis situation. The student whose session was interrupted will be given an alternative appointment.
Waitlists
All students, including walk-ins, are directed to book appointments through CSW’s online system. Appointments are given in the order they are received until counselors reach full capacity where no more appointments are made available. When the counselors reach full capacity and the waiting time is expected to be longer than one week, an email is sent to those on the waiting list with the expected waiting time and are offered alternative resources as well as a list of external providers.
