How many sessions can I have with a counselor?6 sessions per semester.
How long are the sessions?45 -50 minutes.
Am I assigned to a specific counselor?No, normally you are scheduled with a counselor who fits best with your schedule and
if you are comfortable with this counselor you would have all of your sessions with
him or her.
Do I need to have something very serious happening in my life to see a counselor?No, any student can talk to a counselor for any reason. Sometimes we just need someone
to listen to us or to get a different perspective on our life. Any issue no matter
how small it may seem is worth talking to a counselor about.
What types of issues do counselors generally see at SBCC?We see everything you can imagine, but the most common issues are: stress, anxiety
( including test-anxiety), relationship issues, depression, grief and loss, alcohol/drug
or other addiction concerns, eating disorders, self-esteem issues, low motivation,
procrastination, loneliness and/or isolation, homesickness, financial concerns, sexual
assault, sexual identity confusion and difficulty transitioning to being independent
from one's family.
Is the information that I share with a counselor confidential?Yes, everything that you share with your counselor is confidential with some state-mandated
exceptions. These include: 1) reported current sexual, physical or emotional abuse
to a minor, dependent adult or elder and 2) reported intent to harm oneself or someone
else. Otherwise, all information shared is strictly confidential including the fact
that you are seeing a counselor.
Does the fact that I am seeing a personal counselor go on my college records?Absolutely not! All paperwork that is filled out in Student Health Services is kept
locked in our confidential files and is not part of the students' records in the admissions
office.
Can I bring a friend or family member to counseling with me?Yes! As long as one of you is a currently registered student at SBCC, you can bring
a friend, roommate, child, significant other or family member to counseling with you.
What happens if I want or need more than the six sessions offered to me each semester?If students need more than the six sessions, they are given community referrals that
are appropriate for their needs. Many students, however, choose to spread out their
sessions and come back each semester. Since we do have long breaks in between semesters,
it is often helpful for some students to have additional outside referrals to assist
them.
Can I pay for additional sessions beyond the 6?No, we do not accept payment for our personal counseling services. These services
are covered through the $19 student health fee required for all enrolled SBCC students.
The reason we limit it to 6 sessions per semester is not financial but rather an issue
of accommodating all students who wish to utilize our services. If we offered unlimited
sessions to all students then we would not have space to serve as many students.
Do you provide on-line counseling?No, our sessions are either in person or can sometimes be done on the phone, but we
do not provide on-line counseling. We do, however, have a lot of information on our
website about many personal counseling issues as well as relevant links that you may
find helpful.
If I do not feel a connection with the counselor who I see can I see a different counselor?Of course! It is essential that you feel as if you can trust and open up to the counselor
who you see. If for any reason it does not feel like a good connection or you are
uncomfortable in any way, please ask to see someone else. Everyone is different. Even
if one of your friends recommends a particular counselor, it might not be the best
match for you.
Do I have to schedule six sessions? What if I only want to come one time to get some
feedback on something?Of course not. You are eligible with your student health fee for six sessions per
semester, but that does not mean that if you come in you must be seen five more times
that semester. Sometimes one session can be just what you needed to get clarity on
an issue. It is up to you whether or not you would like to reschedule.
In case of an emergency, how do I get a hold of my counselor?If you are experiencing an emergency during the hours that Student Health Services
is open, (Mondays and Thursdays, 8am-4pm, Tuesday and Wednesday, 8am and 6pm and Fridays,
8am-1pm) please call us at 965-0581 x4098 and let us know that you would like to get
a message to your counselor or to see whoever is available for a crisis appointment
that day ( your counselor may not be available but another counselor will be able
to help you or refer you to an appropriate community agency). If you are experiencing
an emergency outside of our normal business hours you can call 911 or the 24 hour
community crisis line at 1 (888) 868-1649.
How do I get a hold of my counselor in between semesters?Our counselors are only available during each semester and when they are on campus
during their scheduled hours. Counselors will give you community referrals if you
would like counseling or support in between semesters. If you have a counseling question
or need a referral between semesters you can contact our Personal Counseling Coordinator
on her e-mail at bostwick@sbcc.edu