What is personal counseling?
As you know, Academic Counseling is available to meet your degree requirements and career goals. In contrast, Psychological Services at the Student health Center offers personal counseling to provide a confidential place where you can talk about how to thrive in your personal life. We can help you deal with whatever’s getting in the way of living your life in the most fulfilling way possible.
Common Misconceptions:
Some people mistakenly assume there must be something “wrong” with them in order to seek counseling. Talking with a personal counselor doesn’t mean that you have serious psychological problems – it just means that you’d like to talk to someone (besides your friend, partner, or parents) about what’s going on in your life.
Students bring a broad range of issues they’d like to work on, including:
- Relationship conflicts (with partner, parents, instructor, boss, or roommates)
- Romantic breakups or disappointments
- Problems with studying, including time management and procrastination
- Feeling bad about yourself
- Depression or anxiety
- Women’s or men’s issues
- Cultural and ethnic identity
- Foreign student, immigrant, and refugee concerns
- Death of a loved one
- Previous (or current) emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
- Body image or problems with food
- Questions about alcohol and other substances
- Gay, Lesbian, bisexual, or transgender issues
Who’s eligible, and what’s the cost?
There is no fee for any student currently enrolled in a credit class. However, you must call to cancel any appointment you’re not able to make – no-shows count against your total visits, and can result in denial of services.
What kinds of counselors are available?
We have licensed Psychologists, Clinical Social Workers, and mental health interns (or Post-Doc Fellows). Our staff includes female, male, Asian, White/Euro, African-American, gay, Spanish- and Chinese- speaking therapists.
What do our services include?
- Short-term individual and couple’s counseling
- Support groups dealing with a wide range of issues -- call early in the semester to sign up for current offerings!
- Assessments may include referrals to community services if longer-term therapy or medication is needed.
Can anyone else find out I’m getting counseling?
All of our services are confidential, which means we need your permission to speak with anyone outside the clinic about you. There are some exceptional circumstances where we are required by law to break confidentiality, such as suspected child or elder abuse, threats against others, danger to self or others, or a court subpoena.
How do I sign up?
Come by Psychological services to make an appointment or call 415-239-3148.
Where is Psychological Services?
In the Student Health Center, HC-100, 1st floor (northwest corner of campus, near Phelan and Judson).
