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What is Counseling?
The decision to begin counseling is an important one. Clients
have reported both a greater level of comfort and more favorable
results when they understand what to expect from the counseling
process. Counseling may help you with a variety of concerns,
including personal issues (e.g., anxiety, depression, or relationship
problems), career exploration and planning (e.g., clarification
of your career interests and employment options), and academic
problems (e.g., test-taking and time management). After discussing
the concerns that led you to counseling, you and your counselor
will decide which services are appropriate. Referrals to workshops,
group counseling, or psychiatric consultation may also be
made, as appropriate.
In order to benefit fully from counseling, the following
recommendations are offered:
- Attend scheduled sessions.
- Be specific about the concerns that led to your
decision to seek counseling.
- Establish with your counselor desired goals and
outcomes to be achieved in counseling.
- Discuss your progress with your counselor as you
go along, and modify your goals if necessary.
- Participate actively, and be as open and honest
as possible.
- Be prepared for your sessions.
- Complete (or at least attempt) any "homework."
- Tell your counselor if you don't think you're being
helped.
Successful counseling is a joint process requiring your
motivation and active involvement. The more actively
involved you are, the more effective counseling will
be for you.
What
services are offered by the Counseling Center?
The following list summarizes the many services offered by the Counseling Center.
Clinical Services:
- Individual Counseling
- Couples Counseling
- Group Psychotherapy
- Psychiatric Evaluation and Treatment
- Psychological Testing and Evaluation
Workshops and Outreach Services:
- Personal Development Programs
- Personal Wellness Programs
- Student Organization Liaison
- Faculty/Staff Consultation and Liaison
Addiction and Substance Abuse Services:
- Assessment of Addiction Concerns
- Individual Counseling
- Peer Support Groups
- Consultation and Referrals
- Workshops and Presentations
Veterans Services:
- Benefits Administration and Counseling
- Veterans Tuition Deferments
- Liaison -- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Information and Referral
Other Services:
- Academic Regulations Committee Representative
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Who is eligible for services?
All currently registered students, part-time and full-time, are eligible for
Counseling Center services.
How
do I know if counseling can help?
The following is a list of problems commonly reported by college students. While
some students may resolve these issues, counseling may be helpful if you have
ongoing concerns about any of the following. Please consider those that apply
to you:
Academic and Career Concerns
_____ Poor study skills
_____ Problems with test-taking
_____ Deciding on a major
_____ Career options
Relationship Problems
_____ Family problems
_____ Uncomfortable in social situations
_____ Conflict with significant other
_____ Coping with a relationship break-up
Feelings
_____ Anger
_____ Feeling sad or depressed most of the time
_____ Loneliness
_____ Thoughts of suicide
Personal Habits and Problems
_____ Abusing alcohol or drugs
_____ Sexual abuse or assault
_____ Eating or sleeping too much or too little
_____ Coping with stress or anxiety
Identity and Self-Esteem
_____ Sexuality issues
_____ Values clarification
_____ Negative thinking or low self-esteem
_____ Having difficulty adjusting to college
If you feel that any of these is of significant concern to you, you may find
it helpful to speak with a counselor.
How do I make an appointment for counseling?
Students may initiate services by visiting the Center located
on the second floor of the Student Services Building (SVC)
in suite 2124. An appointment for services may be made upon
completion of the appropriate paperwork.
What are the signs suggesting the need for a referral?
Academic Problems
- Excessive procrastination
- Uncharacteristically poor work
- Inconsistent work
- Repeated requests for special consideration
- Career/Major indecision
Interpersonal Interactions
- Dependency on advisor/"hanging around"
- Avoidance of professor or other students
- Behavior which regularly disrupts classroom
- Complaints from peers
Behavioral Markers
- Marked change in personal hygiene
- Dramatic weight gain or loss
- Frequent falling asleep in class
- Irritability, particularly in conjunction with unruly behavior
- Impaired speech or garbled, disjointed thoughts
- Unusually soft or loud voice, or unusually slow or fast speech
- Tearfulness or intense emotion
How do I make a Referral?
If you become aware that a student is having personal, academic, or social
problems it is often useful to ask: "Are you talking with anyone about
this?"
If you feel that the student would benefit from a referral for counseling,
it is usually best to express your concern and recommendation
directly to the student. It is also generally better to suggest
counseling to a student and allow the student to make his
or her own decision. But if a student needs help immediately,
offer to call the Counseling Center with the student present.
If you call the Counseling Center on behalf of a student, identify yourself
and explain to the receptionist that you are assisting a student in making
an appointment, then allow the student to speak to the receptionist to arrange
an appointment time.
Client confidentiality prohibits us from providing you with information about
a student whom you have referred to us, but it is almost always appropriate
for you to check back with the student, to ascertain whether he or she has
followed through on your recommendation. This communicates your continued
interest and concern.
If you are concerned about a student or situation, but are not sure
how to proceed, call the Counseling Center (see Consultation
Services ). A professional psychologist will return your call and help
you determine an appropriate course of action. Your call will remain confidential.
Is there a fee for services?
No. The Counseling Center is partially funded by the health services fee, included
in your tuition. There is no additional fee for Counseling Center services.
Are
services confidential?
Student records maintained within the Counseling Center are
deemed to be confidential and are not considered to be public
information. This is clearly stipulated in the Center's Policy
and Procedures Handbook and in the Authorization Forms that
students read and sign prior to receiving psychological services.
Issues of confidentiality, privacy and security regarding psychological
records are enforced by state and national rules, laws and standards
that regulate psychology as a discipline, relevant accreditation
boards (the International Association of Counseling Services;
the American Psychological Association), and USF policies. More
specifically, the Counseling Center adheres to the USF Information
Disclosure and Confidentiality Policy, the Health Information
Portability and Privacy Act (HIPAA), Privacy Rule (45 C.F.R.,
parts 160 and 164) the Ethical Principles of Psychologists (Principle
5. Privacy and Confidentiality), the Standards for Providers
of Psychological Services, and the Florida Statutes 490 and
64B19-Psychological Services.
Supporting Documentation
Legal and Ethical Documents:
May I request a particular counselor (or male or female counselor)?
Counselors are trained to be sensitive to and respectful of individual differences,
including the specific concerns of students with regard to gender, racial/ethnic,
cultural, religious, age, sexual preference/orientation, and socioeconomic issues.
However, you may request a specific counselor or a counselor with a specific
background or type of training. While we cannot guarantee that your request will
be met, we will make every effort to accommodate your preference.
Who provides the counseling services? (Qualifications of staff):
The Center has licensed doctoral-level psychologists, licensed
psychiatrists, a Veterans Services counselor, a psychometrist,
pre-doctoral psychology interns, interns and practicum students
from other mental health programs on campus. All counselors-in-training
are supervised by a senior staff member.
What can I expect at the first session?
The first counseling session is called an Intake and is designed to obtain relevant
background information and family history, and to identify the specific concerns
that led you to seek counseling. At the conclusion of the Intake, the counselor
will discuss appropriate Counseling Center resources and any other recommendations
for assisting you in resolving your concerns. Recommendations may include referrals
to workshops, group counseling, psychiatric consultation, or to other campus
and off-campus services in the area.
How many sessions of individual counseling may I attend?
Counseling services are designed using a brief therapy model,
involving 1-10 sessions of individual counseling. Most students
attend 1-5 sessions for career-related issues, and 1-10 sessions
for personal counseling.
How many sessions of group counseling may I attend?
Group counseling sessions are not time-limited. Students may
attend group sessions for one or more semesters, in consultation
with the group leaders.
Where is the Center located and what are the hours I can be seen?
Counseling Center services are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. to
5:00 P.M. The Counseling Center is open year-round, except for university holidays.
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