Counseling Services for Students
 The
Counseling Center provides free, confidential counseling services
for enrolled HWS students, including walk-in consultations and individual
and group counseling (see more about these services below). The
Counseling Center also offers emergency
counseling services and referrals for
psychotropic medications or psychiatric consultations.
Walk-in consultations
The easiest way to initiate counseling services at the Center is
to come by during our “walk-in hours.” Walk-in services
may also be used to discuss concerns you may have about another
HWS student. Walk-in services are provided on a first-come, first-served
basis, with emergencies taking precedence. Walk-in sessions generally
consist of brief, 10 or 15 minute consultations designed to assess
needs and provide a referral to a counselor or to other appropriate
services. Provisions will be made for students who cannot come to
the Counseling Center during regular walk-in hours. Walk-in hours run from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays when school is in session. Students may also call the Center at ext. 3388 to arrange for an initial visit if their schedules do not permit them to attend walk-in hours.
Individual and Group Counseling
Counselors at the Counseling Center provide an opportunity for
students to explore any personal problems or concerns that they
may have. During your initial appointment, you and your counselor
will discuss the issues that brought you to the Center and work
on developing a treatment plan to address your concerns. When the
Center is unable to provide the type of service you need or request,
your counselor will refer you to appropriate mental health professionals
in surrounding communities and assist you in obtaining services
there.
Individual counseling is offered on both a short-term and a long-term
basis. You and your counselor will discuss the options available,
and together will decide on the number of sessions necessary. This
number will hinge on your needs and on availability of services.
A counseling group is a small group of people (usually 6-10) who
meet weekly along with one or two Counseling Center staff members
to talk about their concerns. Some groups focus on a specific topic
(such as depression, weight and body image, or social anxiety),
while others address a number of different concerns. A group can
be the optimal form of therapy for some people and some issues.
Groups are offered on occasionally, based on student interest and
demand.
Informed consent for treatment and consultation
When you first come to the Center, you will be asked to read and
sign an “informed consent for treatment
and consultation” statement that details how the Center
manages several important aspects of the services we provide, including
referrals, confidentiality, treatment records, professional consultations,
research projects, and missed appointments. The statement also notes
possible risks involved in counseling, and indicates what you can
do if you ever have any concerns about the services we offer.
Making the most of counseling
To a large degree, the progress you make in counseling will depend
on your active and genuine involvement. Here are some things you
can do to enhance your experience in counseling:
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Attend all of your scheduled counseling sessions, or let your
counselor know if you have to miss.
-
Honestly and openly voice your thoughts and feelings in counseling.
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Between sessions, think through the concerns you are addressing
in counseling.
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Complete your counseling homework assignments.
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Experiment with new and positive ways of doing things and thinking
about things.
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Give your counselor feedback about how counseling is going.
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Make use of the Counseling Center’s emergency
counseling services as needed.
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