1. University Counseling Services: General Information and Common Questions

2. Road Map In this presentation, you will learn:
Types of services offered at university counseling centers
Information about counseling appointments, including costs, confidentiality, and issues to discuss with a counselor
How to contact the counseling center and schedule an appointment
What to expect during a counseling appointment
How to seek help for a friend who needs counseling

3. Part I: University Counseling Services

4. Purpose of university counseling centers
Most universities have a counseling center, although the exact name of this office may vary.
The counseling center offers different types of counseling services to help students improve their mental health.
The counseling center is usually separate from the university’s student health office, which helps students with their physical health.
Note: The student health office and the counseling center often work together to help students who have both physical and mental health issues.

5. Services offered by university counseling centers
Individual counseling
Group counseling
Psychiatric services
Crisis services

6. Individual counseling
A student meets with a counselor and talks about causes of stress, worry, or unhappiness.
The counselor listens, asks questions, and offers suggestions about how to deal with academic and personal problems.

7. Group counseling
A counselor meets with several students who have similar problems.
The counselor leads the discussion, and students talk about their feelings, share ideas, and offer support to each other.
All students agree not to discuss their conversation with people outside of the group.
Some counseling centers have group counseling sessions specifically for international students.

8. Psychiatric services
Psychiatrists are doctors who prescribe medication to improve mental health issues.
If a counselor thinks that medication might help a student, he/she will help the student make an appointment with a psychiatrist.
During the first appointment, the psychiatrist talks with the student and prescribes medication if needed. The student has another appointment later to make sure that the medication is working correctly.
Appointments with a psychiatrist may take place in the counseling center or in the university’s student health office.

9. Crisis services
A crisis occurs when a student is very upset and needs to see a counselor the same day. The student can call the counseling center and ask if a same-day appointment is available.
When the counseling center is closed, there may be a counselor who is “on call” to respond to crises. To contact this counselor, the student should call the counseling center and follow the instructions on the recording.
Students who feel like they might hurt themselves or someone else should always call 911, no matter what time of day it is.

10. Cost of counseling appointments
Different universities charge different fees for counseling appointments.
Counseling may be free for all students.
Counseling may be free for students (like most international students) who have the university’s insurance plan.
All students may pay a fee for each counseling session.
Fees for counseling are usually listed on the counseling center’s website.

11. Limits on the number of counseling appointments
Many counseling centers offer only short-term counseling, so each student can only have a certain number of counseling appointments.
If a student needs further counseling, the counseling center may refer him/her to a counselor outside the university.
Limits on the number of counseling appointments are usually listed on the counseling center’s website.

12. Issues to discuss with a counselor
Students talk about many issues with counselors, including the following:
Academic issues (grades, speaking in class, completing assignments, or communicating with professors)
Difficulty reading, writing, or speaking in English
Choosing an academic major or career
Feeling overwhelmed, stressed, depressed, or worried
Culture shock
Homesickness
Death of family member or friend
Conflicts with roommates
Making friends
Romantic relationships
No problem is too small to discuss with a counselor!

13. Confidentiality
Confidentiality means that a counseling center cannot tell family, friends, professors, or anyone else that a student is participating in counseling.
Everything a student says to a counselor is also confidential, so the counselor cannot tell anyone else about it.
The student’s medical history and notes that the counselor writes are confidential unless the student gives the counseling center permission to send them to another counselor or a doctor.
Note: If a student expresses an intention to hurt him/herself or someone else, the counselor is required by law to tell the police.

14. Counseling in languages other than English
In times of stress, ability to speak a foreign language can decrease. Counseling centers try to assist students who need or want to speak with a counselor in their native language.
Many counseling centers have counselors who speak other languages. (These languages are usually listed on the counseling center’s website.)
If there is no counselor who speaks the student’s language, the counseling center might look for a university professor or staff member who does. This person acts as a translator and keeps the student’s comments confidential.

15. Part II: Common Questions about Participating in Counseling

16. How do I know if I need counseling?
If you are worried, depressed, or experiencing culture shock, counseling can be the first step to improving your mental health.
If you simply need to talk to someone besides family and friends about problems or difficult experiences, a counselor can help. Counselors are trained to listen to all types of students and offer support.

17. I never went to counseling in my home country. Why should I go now?
Because you are in a new culture, you may have difficulties with school, communication and relationships that you never had at home. Counseling can help you with these new issues.
Professional counselors are trained to understand and show respect for different cultures. They know that many people are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with counseling.
It is normal for you to have questions about counseling. Professional counselors will explain how counseling works and make sure that you know what to expect each time you come to the office.

18. How can I find the counseling center’s phone number and location?
Search for “counseling center” on your university’s website and look for a link to the counseling center’s own website.
Look through the materials you received before arriving at the university or during orientation. You may have a piece of paper with information about the counseling center.
Call, , or visit the international student services office on campus. The office staff can give you information about the counseling center.

19. How do I make an appointment?
From a quiet, private place (like your dorm room), call the counseling center during the hours they are open. Be prepared to spend several minutes on the phone and explain how you have been feeling.
If you would feel more comfortable meeting with a male counselor (or a female counselor), be sure to say that when you make the appointment.
Have your calendar ready so that you can schedule an appointment.
Write down the day and time of the appointment. (If you miss the appointment, the counseling center might charge you a fee.)
Ask how long the first appointment will be.

20. What will the first appointment be like?
The counselor will introduce him/herself and discuss confidentiality.
To understand how you have been feeling, the counselor will ask questions about your life at home and in the U.S.
The counselor may suggest any of the following options at the end of the session:
Individual or group counseling at the counseling center
Appointment with a psychiatrist at the counseling center or student health office
Appointment with a counselor who does not work at the university

21. What are some tips for a successful counseling appointment?
Bring your student ID card, health insurance ID, and cash or credit card to pay (if there is a fee).
Bring a list of any medications you are taking.
Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. You may need to answer some questions (in writing) about your medical history and how you have been feeling recently.
Answer the counselor’s questions as honestly as you can.
Ask questions you have about confidentiality, next steps, or anything else.

22. If I need to talk to a counselor very soon, what can I do?
If you think you might hurt yourself or someone else, always call 911.
If you are very upset and want to speak with a counselor very soon, call or visit the counseling center when it opens in the morning and ask for a same-day appointment.
If the first available appointment is several days away, call the international student services office. Sometimes international student advisors can work with the counseling center to find an earlier appointment.

23. How can I help a friend who might need counseling?
Explain how counseling works and give your friend contact information for the counseling center.
Submit a CARE Report (available online at many universities)
Describe why you are worried about your friend. (You can choose whether or not to include your name on the report.)
An employee from Student Services will contact the student and explain resources (including counseling) that might be helpful.
To find a link to the CARE Report, search the university’s website or call the counseling center.
If you think your friend might hurt him/herself or someone else, always call 911.