Quick Facts About Counseling Services
WHY DO I FILL
OUT AN INTAKE FORM?
Before your first appointment, we ask you to fill out a brief intake
form. This form asks background information that is helpful to your
counselor. No one outside of University Counseling Services has access
to this information without your written permission.
HOW DOES COUNSELING WORK?
Counseling is not something that is done to you, nor will your counselor
tell you what to do. Working with a counselor can be hard work but
counseling provides an opportunity for you to learn more about yourself.
University Counselors can use different forms of therapy, like
relaxation or meditation, as well as more traditional forms of
counseling. Remember, the more you put into your counseling sessions,
the more you get out of them.
WHO FINDS OUT ABOUT THESE SESSIONS?
Your visits to University Counseling Services are confidential. No one
outside of our office finds out information that you have revealed to
your counselor—or even knows that you had an appointment. Visits to UCS
are not a part of your official college record. Any exceptions to this
rule are listed on the Client Informed Consent form.
SUPPOSE I HAVE TO CANCEL AN APPOINTMENT?
If you do, please let us know when you know! By canceling an appointment
in advance, you will allow us to utilize the time to provide counseling
services to another student. Also, please remember to arrive on time for
your appointment.
HOW LONG ARE THE SESSIONS?
Typically, the sessions run 45-50 minutes for individual counseling and
75-90 minutes for group counseling.
HOW OFTEN WILL I BE SEEN?
Sessions are usually scheduled once a week, but this varies depending on
the need.
HOW MUCH DOES COUNSELING COST?
Services are free to all eligible SHU students.
HOW LONG WILL I BE IN COUNSELING?
Our mission at University Counseling Services is to provide short-term
counseling. Most students find that they can complete their work within
six sessions. If it appears that work in excess of fifteen sessions is
required, we will facilitate a referral to an off-campus provider. We
view the counseling process as a partnership between you and your
counselor. Students may obtain longer term counseling with us by
participating in a counseling group when referred by a staff member.
SUPPOSE I DON’T FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH MY
COUNSELOR?
If this happens, please discuss this in your session. The issue may be
resolved during the session or your counselor can help you switch to a
different counselor.
WHO ARE MY COUNSELORS?
All of your counselors are doctoral level professionals and master’s and
doctoral students working under the direct supervision of a senior staff
member.
SUPPOSE I HAVE A PSYCHOLOGICAL CRISIS?
If you have an emergency, please come to our office: 27 Mooney Hall. If
there is an emergency after 5:00 pm weekdays or on weekends, call Public
Safety at X9300--one of our staff is always on call.
DOES ANYONE CARE WHAT I THINK?
Everyone at UCS does! Your opinion matters a lot to us. During two
three-week periods (in the Fall and in the Spring) we will ask you to
provide us with feedback anonymously through our Client Satisfaction
Survey. Please feel free to share your thoughts about how we may improve
services to you at any other time as well by talking to your counselor
or to any of the staff.