Individual Counseling Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to questions about individual counseling:
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What is individual counseling? |
After your Screening Appointment, you may be recommended for short-term individual counseling at the Counseling Center. Individual counseling consists of meeting one-on-one with a mental health provider. At your first meeting, called the Initial Consultation, your counselor will ask you about your current concerns and gather information about your background and history. You will then work together to create personalized goals and work toward desired changes. Counseling can help you explore your feelings, beliefs, or behaviors, work through challenging or distressing situations, identify aspects of your life you would like to change, and better understand yourself and others.Your counselor may also recommend you for seminars, wellness workshops, group counseling, or other campus and/or community resources to support you in achieving your wellness goals. |
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Do all students need individual counseling? |
The Counseling Center is committed to helping students receive the services that best fit their personal needs and goals. We use the Stepped Care Model to guide our service recommendations. Some students who are self-directed may benefit from self-guided resources or seminars and workshops only. Research shows that group counseling is most effective for many college student concerns and is the most frequently recommended service. If individual counseling is recommended, most students benefit from our short-term model (~2-6 sessions). |
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How often can I go? |
If you are recommended for short-term individual counseling, trauma-focused (ART) counseling, couples counseling, or individual BSMI, you will work with your counselor to determine treatment goals and number of sessions needed. Students may receive up to 10 individual (or couples) sessions in an academic year. However, if your needs and goals exceed our short-term model, you may be referred for long-term care in the community. |
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Who can find out I am in counseling? |
Individual counseling services are confidential; your attendance in counseling will not become part of your academic record or reflected on your transcript. There are a few limits to confidentiality (the counselor will review these with you at your appointment), but in general, a student would need to sign a voluntary release of information form before the Counseling Center could communicate any information to a third party. |
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Why was I referred to a community provider for individual counseling? |
Some concerns require specialized or long-term counseling; if this is the case, your counselor will assist you with a referral to better address your needs.Please visit our Clinical Services page to review information regarding our Scope of Clinical Services, Limits of Practice, and High Service Demands, and review our Off-Campus Supports page for additional resources. |
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I have more questions –how can I find out more information? |
Check out the Frequently Asked Questions section on our website for more information about Counseling Center Services and Group Counseling. Or, feel free to call the Counseling Center at 507-389-1455 during business hours |
