Counseling Services Frequently Asked Questions
-
What
is counseling?
- What can you expect from your counselor?
- What are your responsibilities in counseling?
- What are some common difficulties in counseling?
- Who may use the counseling center?
- What services are offered?
- How do I get started?
- What brings you to see us?
- How long will I attend?
- Services for Learning Disabilities, ADHD, and other disabilities
What is counseling? back to top
Simply stated, counseling is any relationship in which one person is helping
another person to better understand and solve some problem. Friends and
relatives provide a type of counseling, as do clergy, academic advisors,
teachers, and many others. The counselors at the Georgetown College
Counseling Center are different from others who may offer counseling because
of their extensive training in psychology and human behavior.
What can you expect from your counselor?
back to top
You can expect someone who is interested in listening to your concerns and
in helping you develop a better understanding of them so that you may deal
with them more easily and effectively. Your counselor will take you
seriously and be willing to openly discuss anything you wish to discuss.
Your counselor will be willing to answer some questions about herself or
himself directly and honestly. If you have any questions about what is going
on, by all means ask. Counselors have no "magical" skills or knowledge, and
will be unable to solve your problems directly for you. Your counselor will
want to work with you, but won't do what you are capable of doing yourself.
What
are your responsibilities in counseling? back to top
Your main responsibilities in counseling are to attend your regularly
scheduled sessions, talk about what is bothering you as openly and honestly
as you can, and complete any tasks or "homework" assignments you may be
asked to do. You are expected to let your counselor know if you are unable
to come to a session. Most counseling will require you to try something new
or a "different approach." Another thing your counselor will expect is for
you to be willing to experiment and try things out without jumping to
conclusions. You are also expected to let your counselor know when your
problems have been solved as well as let your counselor know if you don't
feel like you're making any progress. This latter point is most important:
your counselor is most interested in your benefiting from counseling.
What are some common difficulties in counseling?
back to top
One of the most difficult steps in counseling occurs before you see a
counselor for the first time. Deciding to seek counseling is the first step
in change. Once this decision has been made, the mechanics for change have
been set in motion. In the process of changing the way you think, feel, or
behave, you usually must try out new ways of doing things. This can make you
anxious or frustrated. Also, in the course of counseling you may come to
realize that things you once thought of only in a positive or negative way
you may see a bit differently. The challenges of pushing on your limitations
may also cause you frustrations,
Who
may use the counseling center? back to top
The Georgetown College Counseling provides free, unlimited, confidential
counseling services to any Georgetown College student, faculty, or staff
member. If you need counseling and are not a member of the Georgetown
College Community, but live locally, you may call Scott County's
Comprehensive Care Center for an appointment at 1-800-928-8000. The
Comprehensive Care Center is located at 1226 Paris Pike, Georgetown,
Kentucky 40324.
What services are offered? back to
top
Services include individual and group counseling as well as testing and
assessment services. Male and female counselors are available. In addition,
staff members are available to speak on mental health topics to halls, classes,
or campus organizations.
How do I get started? back to top
To schedule an appointment, call 502-863-7074. If you do not speak with a
counselor in person, please leave a message, and a staff member will return your
call. Let the counselor know how to contact you and if it is okay to leave a
voice mail message.
What
brings you to see us? back to top
People see counselors for a variety of reasons, including anxiety, depression,
substance abuse, loneliness, stress management, an eating disorder, or
relationship issues. People also see counselors because they “just don’t feel
right” or because they are ready for personal growth and insight. Dealing with a
learning disability or attention-deficit disorder can also be a reason to come
in.
How long will I attend? back to top
Usually sessions are scheduled for an hour at a time once a week. Sometimes
people come in more often and sometimes they come in less frequently. During the
first session you will be asked to fill out some standard forms. This
information will be kept confidential and only the counselor will have access to
it.
Services for Learning Disabilities, ADHD, and other
disabilities back to top
The Counseling Center also provides services to students with learning
disabilities, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders, and any other
disabilities. Students should mail or bring copies of reports listing their
diagnoses and recommendations to the Counseling Center. Counseling staff will
act as a liaison with the student and his or her professor, writing letters to
the professors, listing recommendations and accommodations the student may need.
It is important to return to the Counseling Center at the beginning of
each semester with a list of classes for that semester so that new letters
can be mailed, informing professors of your needs. In addition, staff can
provide numerous suggestions for improving performance. If a student believes he
or she has a learning disorder or attention-deficit, but has never been
diagnosed, Counseling Center staff can make referrals for assessment and
testing.