Q: What is counseling?
A: Counseling is a voluntary relationship in which a professionally trained psychologist, social worker, psychiatrist, or counselor meets with the student to discuss some issue or conflict. Counseling is a process by which change is sought through the expression of thoughts and emotions in a safe, supportive, non-judgmental forum. Counseling gives a student the chance to speak to a non-biased professional who is not affiliated with the student's friends or family.
The goal of counseling is to help the student better understand thoughts, feelings, and relationships, by looking at patterns of behavior. The student can expect a counselor to be someone who is available and interested in listening to the student's concerns. The counselor's role is to help the student develop effective strategies for coping with whatever is bothering him or her. The counselor should be focused on the student, and not on himself or herself or others.
Q: Who should see a counselor?
A: Anyone who is:
- feeling depressed, anxious, stressed, overwhelmed, or lonely
- having difficulty relaxing
- worried about the future
- noticing changes in eating or sleeping habits
- gaining or losing weight
- having difficulty adjusting to college life
- having trouble attending classes, concentrating, or studying
- having problems with friends, roommates, or family
- having difficulty making or keeping friends
- worried about a friend and is unsure what to do
- anyone who just wants to talk.
Q: How does counseling work?
A: During the first meeting at the Student Counseling Center, you will be asked to fill out some paperwork describing yourself and your reason for seeking counseling. You will then meet with a counselor, who will work together with you to set personal goals and formulate an agreeable plan for attaining the goals discussed. Quite often, the initial consultation is all that is needed to resolve the issue presented. However, you and the counselor may also decide that continued counseling is the best route to take. If so, a plan will be made to continue at the Student Counseling Center or you will be given a referral to a resource that may better meet your needs.
Types of Counseling
Individual Counseling is tis treatment for one student, who meets with one therapist. This offers the most attention to the student s individual concerns.
Groups are formed to create supportive forums for people with similar issues. In group counseling, 3-10 individuals meet at an assigned time with one or two group leaders usually on a weekly basis. Members talk about what is currently going on in their lives and what may be troubling them. Group leaders and other group members are available to give support, offer alternatives, and feedback to members of the group. This treatment offers the student the opportunity to interact with others and learn from them as well as study their own relationship style. Students often encounter some social anxiety in starting group therapy; however it offers an ideal environment in which to challenge and overcome these feelings.
Couples Therapy is conducted with a couple in a marital or "significant other" relationship. Its purpose is to assist the couple to work together as partners to communicate, love and solve the problems of daily life. The establishment of realistic, adult expectations is usually an important goal.
Psychiatry
The SCC is now offering limited psychiatric services on the Garden City campus to Adelphi students. Our psychiatrist is available by appointment only to students in ongoing individual counseling. Psychiatry often uses psychotropic medications to manage emotional, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms. Medication is prescribed by a psychiatrist only after a thorough evaluation indicates that medication may be helpful to the student. Ongoing medication management is implemented in conjunction with ongoing individual counseling and is aimed at treating the underlying causes of the condition.
Confidentiality
Individual and group counseling, as well as psychiatric services, are private and confidential. Counseling records are kept separate from academic, disciplinary and medical records to ensure the student s privacy and confidentiality. Information about students or sessions cannot be released to anyone, including a student's parent, without prior knowledge and written consent. These rules are maintained in all cases with the exception of an emergency situation that presents a danger to life, or by court order.
Outreach and Consultation
Outreach and consultation are available to residence halls, academic departments, teams, clubs, and other campus groups. The purpose of outreach and consultation is to offer counseling and education services to organizations and departments.
Workshops
Workshops are educational presentations for students designed to enhance personal growth and to lessen stress and anxiety. Possible workshops for the upcoming year include stress management, study skills, relationship issues, anger management, assertiveness training, eating and body issues, grief and loss, time management, and sexual abuse and assault. The Student Counseling Center is happy to receive requests for other workshops.
Resources and Referrals
Resources are organizations, clinics, practitioners or literature sources that offer services and information not offered by the SCC. There are many excellent on-campus resources for students. At times, however, it may be more helpful to refer a student to a resource off-campus.
Drug and Alcohol Education and Counseling
Drugs and alcohol are a problem on college campuses all across the country. Often students use substances to socialize, relax, or avoid other things in their lives. At times, the use of drugs and alcohol becomes problematic for students, resulting in personal problems or academic difficulties. The Student Counseling Center offers education and confidential counseling on substance abuse issues on the Garden City campus by appointment.
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