Facts About Counseling

WHAT IS COUNSELING?
Simply stated, counseling is any relationship in which one person is helping another person to better understand and solve a problem. Friends and relatives provide a type of counseling, as do clergy, academic advisors, teachers, and many others. The staff at the Counseling Center are different from others who may offer help because of their extensive training in psychology and human behavior. They have a broad range of experience in developing "helping relationships" and working with many different situations.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED COUNSELING?
Students who seek counseling do so because they are experiencing some form of discomfort or dissatisfaction in their personal lives. They may have problems in their relationships with others or concerns about their personal adequacy or competence. Many experience anxiety or depression without really knowing why. At times, students may also experience a lack of direction. These and many other concerns are common reasons for seeking help at the Counseling Center.

What our students are saying about us....

SOME WARNING SIGNS

  • Physical complaints when no medical causes can be found
  • Excessive anxiety for no apparent reason
  • Prolonged feelings of despair and unhappiness, withdrawal, or lack of interest in daily activities
  • An unusual amount of irritability or suspiciousness toward others
  • Not working up to capacity at school or work - inability to concentrate
  • Personality changes that can't be explained, such as sudden shifts in mood or behavior

Individuals experiencing one or more of these
symptoms may be helped by counseling.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM YOUR COUNSELOR?

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. 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 for you what you are capable of doing for yourself. Except under unusual circumstances, your counselor will maintain strict confidentiality about you, and will openly discuss this with you during your initial session.
Although counselors may differ somewhat in their approaches, there are certain similarities which characterize the helping relationship. In the beginning stage of counseling, your counselor will ask you about your concerns to gain a deeper understanding of you and your issues. As counseling proceeds, trust between you and your counselor builds and a working partnership is developed. Using a variety of approaches, your counselor will help you to explore your feelings, make your own decisions, and resolve your concerns. As you gain an understanding of yourself and your feelings, your counselor will work with you to develop and improve your life skills.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES IN COUNSELING?

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 make it to a session. Much of your 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 interested in your benefiting from counseling.

COMMON DIFFICULTIES IN COUNSELING.

One of the most difficult steps in counseling occurs before you even 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 challenge of pushing your limitations may also cause you frustration, but with commitment and practice, you will find that you can stretch your limits and find new and exciting aspects of yourself.

THE COUNSELING CENTER PROVIDES FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION, REFERRAL AND SHORT-TERM SERVICES FOR USCA STUDENTS.

The goal of short-term counseling may be to prevent small problems from becoming big ones or to intervene quickly in a crisis, helping people to return to their normal functioning as soon as possible. Remember that most people who seek help from counseling benefit. In situations where the problems are more longstanding, referrals can be provided for group services at the Counseling Center or low-cost, quality services at a community mental health agency.

Successful counseling is a joint process requiring your motivation
and active involvement. The more actively involved you are,
the more effective counseling will be for you.

WHAT OTHER TYPES OF SERVICES ARE OFFERED?

  • Group counseling
  • Workshops
  • Family/marital counseling
  • Cumbee Center Advocate to Assist Abused Persons
  • Consultation
  • Psychological testing

If you would like to learn more about counseling at the Center, call or stop by to make an appointment to talk with a counselor. The Counseling Center is located in the Business & Education Building, Room 126. The telephone number is 803-641-3609. From Augusta, dial 278-1967 and ask for extension 3609.