Frequently Asked Questions
Individual Counseling
Group Counseling
Psychiatric Services
Individual Counseling
What is counseling?
Counseling, most simply stated, is an interaction between a person who is "stuck" in some way and in need of help, and another person who is trained in helping people get "unstuck." The reasons for coming are many, and the counseling strategies employed also vary from counselor to counselor. The one constant is that the counselor focuses all energies on trying to help the student. It doesn't always work, but the feedback we get from students suggest that most students who seek counseling believe that it has been helpful to them. If you feel uncertain about whether counseling is for you, we encourage you to make an initial appointment and discuss any reservations you might have with one of our counselors. There is no obligation to continue.
Don't only "crazy people" go to the Counseling Center?
No way. Counseling at our Center involves the concerns and problems of normal college students just like yourself. The fact that so many students seek our services reflects just how common these issues are.
How do I make an appointment?
Appointments may be arranged by calling 568-6552 or by dropping by our office in Varner House. Our support staff will place you on an appropriate staff member's schedule. Appointments can normally be scheduled within a few days from your request but may take a few weeks during the Center's busiest times. Schedule adjustments are made, however, in emergency situations
What will happen at my first appointment?
You and a counselor will discuss the issues that led you to schedule an appointment. The counselor will talk to you about how the Center is best able to provide the kind of help you need and which staff member would be most appropriate for you. When the Center is unable to provide the type of service you need or request, we will refer you to an appropriate outside practitioner or agency and assist you in obtaining services there.
Why should I tell a stranger things that I haven't been able to discuss with people closest to me?
The fact that a counselor is not a friend or a family member actually makes it easier for him or her to help you. Unlike friends or family members whose advice is often colored by biases and preconceptions, counselors work to be non-judgmental, objective helpers. Your counselor will be working to understand you, your situation, and your goals.
But isn't it going to be hard for me to talk about what's bothering me with a person I don't even know?
Maybe, especially in the beginning. You may feel anxious or shy, perhaps even a bit self-conscious or weak. Counselors understand that it's normal to feel uncomfortable and cautious during the first meeting, and they try to help by promoting an accepting environment in which you will feel at ease. As you gradually begin to trust your counselor, you'll probably find that you can be more relaxed and open.
But what if I cry or get angry as I talk about my problems?
It's okay to feel and express intense emotions in counseling; in fact, doing so is often one of the most helpful parts of the process. Your counselor's office is a safe place to talk about how you are feeling. And paying close attention to these feelings can also teach you a lot about yourself.
Who will know what I talk about in my counseling sessions?
Without your consent, no one. Everything you say in counseling is confidential, unless your counselor is required, by law, to break confidentiality to protect you or somebody else from harm. If you have questions about confidentiality or its limits, your counselor will be able to answer them.
How long and how often are counseling sessions?
Counseling sessions are normally scheduled on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis depending upon the nature of the problem. Sessions are typically 50 minutes long.
How long are most people in counseling at the CSDC?
With a only a few exceptions, students are normally in counseling for less than a semester; in fact the vast majority of our clients meet less than four times with a counselor. If the nature of the problem suggests that a greater number of sessions will be necessary, we help students to find the kind of help they need.
How does the counseling relationship normally end?
Once you feel that the issues that brought you in for counseling are no longer of major concern, you and your counselor will talk about how and when to end counseling. Ideally, the personal awareness that you've gained and the efforts that you've made in establishing a trusting relationship with your counselor should provide an effective model for self-help long after counseling has ended.
What will I get out of coming to counseling?
The benefits of counseling can be invaluable: to be truly understood, to experience trust and openness with someone, and to learn how to counsel yourself. Seeing a counselor won't make all of your problems magically disappear. But, if you have the desire to understand yourself and to change, then you've taken a powerful step towards that goal.
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Counseling at Varner
Group Counseling
What is group counseling?
Group counseling involves a small group of people (usually 6-10) who meet together weekly, along with one or two trained members of the Counseling Center staff, to talk about their struggles and problems. These groups can take a variety of forms. Some focus on a specific topic or problem, while others address a number of different concerns.
What makes group counseling work?
When people come into a group and interact freely with other group members, they tend to recreate those difficulties that brought them to counseling in the first place. Under the skilled direction of the group facilitators, the group is able to give support, offer alternatives, or gently confront the an individual. In this way, the difficulty is resolved, alternative behaviors are learned, and the individual develops new social skills or ways of relating to people. Group counseling has been found to be a very effective means of treatment and, in some cases, the best form of treatment for a particular individual or a particular type of concern.
What are the benefits of group counseling?
In a group, you can:
- Learn more about how you are perceived by others.
- Experience a sense of acceptance and belonging.
- Discover that you are not alone in the difficulties you are experiencing.
- Hear ideas from others which enhance your ability to make decisions and solve problems.
- Benefit from the experience of being helpful to others.
- Learn to constructively express your feelings and ideas to others.
- Gain encouragement by observing the successes of others.
What about confidentiality?
The responsibility for confidentiality is shared among the group leader(s) and all group members. Virginia law requires that group leaders keep all client communications and information confidential. Further, every member of each therapy group at the CSDC is required to sign an agreement to adhere to these rules of confidentiality. In signing this agreement, group members make a personal pledge that nothing occurring in the group, including names of other group members, will be shared with anyone outside of the group. These rules are critical to the development of a safe, respectful, and trusting atmosphere which allows individuals to openly share their feelings.
Interested?
If you feel you could be helped by participating in a group, please call the CSDC (568-6552), or stop by our office in the Varner House, to arrange an interview.
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Psychiatric Services
What is the first appointment with the Psychiatrist like?
During the initial assessment, the psychiatrist will ask you questions about your current concerns and relevant medical history and will then make a recommendation to you based on the information received from you and your counselor. One possible recommendation may be for you to try medication that the psychiatrist will prescribe in conjunction with your counseling sessions. The cost of any medication prescribed is your personal responsibility.
What about additional appointments?
If medication is prescribed for you, periodic follow-up visits with the psychiatrist will be required. You are encouraged to discuss any concerns you have about your medication, including any side effects, during these appointments. With some medications, routine lab work is necessary, and the psychiatrist will let you know if this is the case with any of those prescribed to you. The cost of any necessary lab work is your personal responsibility.
Eligibility for Services
Students must be actively engaged in counseling at the CSDC. If your student status changes or you complete or cease your counseling at the CSDC but still require medication monitoring, the psychiatrist will assist you with a referral to psychiatric services in the community.
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