Students may be seen for individual sessions
with a counselor to address a variety of problem-in-life or mental
health issues, including stress management, depression, anxiety,
relationship problems, eating or body image issues, adjustment to
college, and other concerns common to college-age young adults.
The Counseling Center staff uses a short-term
counseling model and most student concerns are addressed in six to seven
individual therapy sessions.
However, individual psychotherapy services are based on needs of the
student as determined in collaboration with his or her counselor.
Psychotherapy services are completely confidential, with a few very rare
exceptions (see Confidentialty).
Some students have participated in therapy
before coming to college, and are aware of the benefits that can be
derived through meeting with a professional who can be more objective in
helping them with their concerns.
For those students who have not had any
experience with counseling prior to college, there are a variety of
concerns that might lead someone to seek psychotherapy, including but
not limited to:
• Roommate conflicts
• Recent break up of romantic relationship
• Family conflict
• Stress of school
• Depression or mood problems
• Appetite or sleep difficulties
• Anxiety or panic episodes
• Problems with making or keeping friends
• Need for emotional support
• Bereavement or grief over personal losses
• Difficulty with managing responsibility or time demands
• Problems with assertiveness or getting one’s needs met
• Distress over career choices
• Self-esteem problems
• Decision-making problems
• Perfectionism
• Procrastination
• Eating or body image concerns
One of the common misconceptions about
psychotherapy is that someone needs to be “in crisis” or “crazy” to come
to counseling. Indeed, most people who engage in counseling services
here and elsewhere are generally well-functioning people who have a
current life-issue with which they need support, or are experiencing a
difficulty with mood or anxiety. Counseling is usually most effective
when people are not in crisis and have the ability to address their
situation proactively or once the crisis is resolved.