What is counseling?
Counseling is a process undertaken by people to work toward change and healing. It involves talking with a counselor about difficulties in life and finding ways to make life better. The goal of counseling is to work toward wholeness and well-being. Counseling services at Trevecca are provided by trained, caring professionals who can help with this process.
Why do people go to a counselor?
There are many reasons to seek counseling: the death of a loved one, divorce, concerns about alcohol or drug abuse, depression, anxiety, eating disorder, family tension, academic stress, difficulty adjusting to school, difficulty with a relationship or a friendship, sexual trauma, low self esteem, stress, and many others. People also go to counseling in order to improve the skills they already have, such as with premarital counseling.
Am I crazy if I need counseling?
Many people think they might be going crazy when they are under a lot of stress. Going to a counselor may be the sanest thing a person can do when they are dealing with difficult life circumstances. Seeing a counselor does not mean that a person is weak or mentally ill even though counselors are trained to help folks who have mental illness. The vast majority of students who seek counseling at the Career and Counseling Center are normal people who are having a rough time.
What can I expect from counseling?
You can expect someone who is interested in listening to your concerns and in helping you develop a better understanding of these concerns. As a result of that process you will be able to deal with these concerns more effectively. Your counselor will take you seriously and be willing to openly discuss anything you wish to discuss. Your counselor will be willing to answer questions about him or herself discreetly and honestly. Because counselors have different beliefs about how people change, they differ on how much talking they do in sessions, whether they ask you to do “homework” and their focus of discussion. If you have any questions at anytime about what is going on, ask. Counselors have no “magical” skills or knowledge, and they will be unable to solve your problems directly for you. Your counselor will want to work with you, but will not do for you what you are capable of doing for yourself.
What are my responsibilities in counseling?
Your main responsibilities in counseling are to attend your regularly scheduled sessions, talk about what is bothering you as openly and honestly as you can, and complete any tasks or “homework” assignments you may be asked to do. You are expected to let your counselor know if you are unable to make it to a session. Most counseling will require you to try something new or a “different approach.” Another thing your counselor will expect is for you to be willing to experiment and try things out without jumping to conclusions. You are also expected to let you counselor know when your problems have been solved as well as let your counselor know if you do not think that you are making any progress. This latter point is most important: your counselor is most interested in your benefiting from counseling.
What are some difficulties that I might experience with counseling?
One of the most difficult steps in counseling occurs before you even see a counselor for the first time. Deciding to seek counseling is the first step in change. Once this decision has been made, the mechanics for change have been set in motion. In the process of changing the way you think, feel, or behave, you try out new ways of doing things. This change process may make you anxious or frustrated. Also, in the course of counseling you may come to realize that things you once thought of only in a positive way you may see a bit differently. The challenges of working on your limitations may also cause you frustration, but with commitment and practice, you will find that you can stretch you limits and find new and exciting aspects of your self.
How can I benefit most from counseling?
- Be ready to focus on specific problems or issues.
- Be prepared for you sessions.
- Attend your sessions and take an active part in them.
- Complete (or at least attempt) any “homework.”
- Tell your counselor if you do not think you are being helped.
How do I get started with counseling?
To set up an appointment, call Ronie at 615-248-1237 or on campus ext. 1237, and tell her that you would like to see a counselor. If you prefer, you can drop by the office and talk to her directly. Every effort is made to match a client with the right counselor. If you prefer to see a specific counselor, let Ronie know, and she will let you know his or her availability. If you do not know the counselors, simply tell her what you are looking for in a counselor, and she will help you choose the right one for you. For crisis situations during office hours, call the office and share that the situation is of crisis nature. If the line is busy or is not answered, call 835-1367 and leave a voice mail message. After office hours, contact a resident director or call the crisis hotline (244-7444) which is monitored by the Crisis Intervention Center.
Is there a cost for the sessions?
Counseling is free if charge to current students. Alumni and campus personnel are permitted one consultation/referral appointment free of charge.
Can I be assured of confidentiality?
- Counseling services are confidential. This means that we will not tell anyone that you are a client or what you have discussed without your written consent. The Career and Counseling Center will not give information to your parents or other offices or departments in the University without your written permission. Your counseling center records are not part of your student record.
- There a few exceptions to the rule of confidentiality. If your counselor believes you are immediately and seriously dangerous to yourself or others, he/she is legally required to try and keep you safe and to warn anyone you might try to harm. The other circumstance in which the staff is required to override confidentiality is in the case of child or elder abuse.
- If you have specific concerns or questions about confidentiality, feel free to call the Career and Counseling Center and ask to talk to a counselor about them or discuss them when you come for an assessment interview.
