Counseling helps you define goals, make decisions, and solve
problems. The staff at the Counseling Center, because of their
extensive training in psychology and human behavior, have a broad
range of experience working with many different situations related
to personal, educational, and career concerns.
Counseling can be simply sharing your thoughts and feelings in
confidence with a trained counselor who is objective and a good
listener. This is often helpful when you have a decision to make.
Sometimes counseling may help you to change your behavior in order
to deal more effectively with a problem. You may become aware of
strengths and potentials you can use to your benefit.
At other times, counseling may help by giving you certain types of
information, or by teaching you new skills. Counseling may help you
to see yourself and others in a different light.
Counseling is not always easy. Successful counseling may mean that
you will become aware of feelings and behaviors that are not
particularly comfortable or effective for you. But with the help
and support of a trained counselor, you can learn to confront such
feelings and behaviors so that you can make changes that will lead
to a more satisfying life.
When Should I Seek Counseling?
People usually come to counseling because they want to feel better
about themselves or their relationships with others. Specifically,
they may want to work on:
- enhancing their ability to cope more effectively with anxiety
and stress
- overcoming feelings of depression
- dealing with feelings of hopelessness and feeling that life is
not worth living
- improving relationships with friends, family, and significant
others
- overcoming loneliness and shyness
- increasing self-confidence and assertiveness
- dealing with drug and alcohol abuse
- clarifying values and priorities
- dealing with the death of a loved one
- eating problems
- health concerns
- physical or learning disability
- inability to concentrate and study
- not knowing where they are going with their life
What Can I Expect from Counseling?
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 talk
about anything you wish to discuss. 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.
What About Confidentiality?
All information disclosed in counseling will be kept confidential
with the exception of information related to danger to self or
others, or to the abuse of a child or incapacitated adult.
How Do I Get Started?
To learn more about counseling, call or stop by the Counseling
Center to make an appointment to talk with a counselor. The
Counseling Center is located in Marillac Hall, Room 130 and our
telephone number is (718) 990-6383. We are open Mon., Tues., and
Wed. 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thurs. 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Fri. 8 a.m.
to 3 p.m. during the school year. Call for Summer hours.
Myths About Counseling myth: Counseling is only for people who have
emotional problems.
fact: While counseling does deal with people
who have emotional problems it can also help:
- Individuals who just want to understand themselves better
- Individuals who have difficulty being assertive
- Students having problems with grades and tests and/or are on
academic probation
- Students having difficulty juggling school, work, or family
responsibilities
- Students trying to "fit in" and adjust to their new
surroundings
myth: People in counseling are inherently
weak.
fact: There is nothing weak about a person
who enters counseling. The individuals who enter counseling are, in
fact, taking the first step in solving their difficulties. A lot of
people would view this as having strength and courage.
myth: Change is simple.
fact: Change is not always simple and may
take time and energy to happen. Counseling is not a "quick fix"
cure for your problems.
myth: The counselor is your "psychic" who tells
you what to do with your life and how to "fix" your problems.
fact: A counselor is NOT there to TELL you
how to solve your problems or to offer you advice. The counselor IS
there to help you achieve the goals you set and help you resolve
your problems.