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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND INFORMATION ABOUT COUNSELING
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What is group therapy?
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Group therapy is frequently the treatment of choice for college students and may be recommended to you after an initial individual appointment. If group therapy has been recommended, it is because your counselor believes that it is the best way to address your concerns. During group time, members of the group discuss issues that are of concern to them and offer each other support and feedback. The process of sharing, listening, and giving and receiving feedback encourages new ways of behaving and fosters learning about the ways in which you interact with others. Group can also help members to feel they are not alone. Groups typically have 6-9 students and two trained counselor leaders. Most therapy groups meet every week for 1.5 hours. Clients must schedule an initial individual appointment prior to starting group therapy.
Examples of group therapy concerns:
» Loneliness, depression
» Shyness or difficulty making friends
» Superficial relationships
» Discomfort in social situations
» Being easily hurt or offended
» Excessive dependence in relationships
» Difficulty trusting others
» Childhood abuse or trauma
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What is individual counseling?
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Individual counseling is a process through in which a trained counselor helps a student through purposeful conversation in a supportive and understanding atmosphere. The activity is designed to foster self-exploration and understanding. In this way the student can become more consciously aware of what is happening in his/her life and feel better able to face problems more objectively or with less anxiety and tension. The aims of counseling vary according to each individual student's needs and wants. The specific goals of what is to be accomplished is worked out between the counselor and the student.
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Examples of counseling concerns:
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» Homesickness, loneliness, anxiety, depression
» Problems in relationships
» Family problems and troubling past experiences
» Death and loss
» Life changes such as pregnancy and illness
» Sexual and cultural identity
» Suicidal feelings
» Crisis such as assault
» Academic difficulties
» Indecision regarding choice of major or career
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First appointment expectations:
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First appointments are introductory meetings which provide an opportunity for you and the counselor to:
» clarify what kind of help you need
» address your specific concerns as time permits
» share some understanding about how to move forward in dealing with your concerns
You and your counselor will determine together if further individual or group therapy meetings would be helpful and determine the frequency of those meetings.
You can expect the counselor to treat you with respect and to take your concerns seriously. Your honest responses to his/her questions will aid in determining how the counselor can best assist you.
You may feel free to ask the counselor about the nature of counseling and his/her approach in working with students. You may also ask the counselor questions regarding group therapy and how to use group to best address your needs.
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Is there a waiting list?
| We do not operate a waiting list as such. We try to provide first appointments to students within a week. This is not always possible and depends on your schedule and availability. We do have emergency counseling available during office hours and walk-in counseling is available from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. each weekday. We also offer evening and weekend emergency assistance to on-campus students through the Housing Office or Campus Safety. |
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Is the service confidential?
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Yes! Your counselor will not divulge any information about you outside the Center, including whether or not you have attended, without your permission. Also, before starting group therapy, group members must agree to keep the identity of other members private and not to divulge any of the information discussed during the group to outsiders.
Confidentiality Exceptions: in very rare situations, where there is serious concern about clients' or others' safety, the counselor may find it necessary to violate confidentiality.
Confidentiality is assured except for the following situations:
» 1. You may authorize the Counseling and Career Development Center to release records or other information to individuals of your choosing. This may be done only with your expressed written consent.
» 2. Under ethical and legal requirements, your therapist may break confidentiality in the event of clear or imminent danger to yourself or another person.
» 3. The law requires that therapists disclose information regarding child or elder abuse or neglect.
» 4. In certain legal proceedings, confidential information may be disclosed by court order. This is a rare occurrence and would not happen without your knowledge.
The Counseling Center staff work according to the established code of ethics of the American Psychological Association.
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Can I give feedback on the service I receive?
| Yes! We encourage students to provide feedback to their counselors. You may do so informally with the counselor. Let him/her know what aspects of the service you have found helpful and what could be improved. In addition, we e-mail a confidential anonymous evaluation form to you each semester and ask for your written feedback on your counseling experience. |
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What career tests and personal assessments are offered?
Testing is useful in clarifying your concerns and interests. We offer a variety of interest skills, values, and personality tests to assist you. Included are the Strong Interest Inventory, Myers-Briggs, Career Beliefs Inventory, Career Decision Scale, and 16PF.
Tests are determined by the counselor and asked to be completed before you leave the Counseling Center. Upon completion, you are asked to make another appointment with your counselor to review the results.
Testing fee for students is $20. Testing fee for non-GVSU students is $125. Testing fee for alumni, faculty or staff is $40. |
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