 1.
What can I expect at the first appointment?
Typically, students fill out a card which asks them for basic information
such as address, phone number, e-mail address, etc. You will also be asked
to read basic information concerning appointments and confidentiality
and to sign your name indicating that you agree to these terms. You will
most likely meet with a counselor for the next 45 to 50 minutes during
which time you will have the opportunity to share more about yourself
and your concerns. Your counselor will want to know basic information
such as why you are seeking counseling, what concerns or problems you
have been experiencing, and some information pertaining to your history
and family. It is also important for you to share any information you
feel would be helpful to the counselor to know, even if he/she has not
specifically asked it. At the end of the appointment, your counselor will
share some preliminary input/reactions and together you will make a decision
as to future counseling sessions.
2. How do
I know if I really need counseling?
Many students are not sure if their concerns are the type of concerns
for which counseling can
help. In general, we would recommend you come in and have an initial appointment
at which
time you and your counselor can together determine whether additional
counseling might be
useful.
3. What kind
of things do students seek help for?
Students seek help for a variety of issues and concerns including depression,
anxiety, relationship
problems, eating disorders or concerns, family issues, substance abuse,
and a host of others.
4. What exactly
is counseling anyway? How does it work? What can I expect?
Counseling is essentially a “partnership”. It is a process
through which you and a trained professional form a team together and
agree to have dialogue in a supportive and caring atmosphere. The goal
is to enhance your understanding of your concerns, of yourself, and of
others. Counseling can help identify solutions to problems which were
not previously identified.
5. Is what I say confidential?
Yes. In only rare exceptions when a counselor feels the safety of a student
takes precedence can disclosure take place against the student’s
wishes.
6. How do
I make an appointment?
You can either stop in our office or call (616) 526-6123. We do not set up appointments thru email.
7. Where
are you located?
We are located on the third floor of the Spoelhof College Center, near
the Chapel.
8. Is there
a waiting list?
We do not maintain a waiting list. Our goal is to provide a first appointment
to any student
who seeks one within five days of the time the appointment was requested.
This is sometimes not
possible because of schedule conflicts or special requests made by the
student, but in general we
have been able to meet this standard.
9. What does
it cost?
All Broene Counseling Center services are free to current students. This
is a marvelous service to students. Similar services in the community
would cost anywhere from $90 to $115 per hour.
10. If I
feel I need to speak to someone right away, is that possible?
If there is immediate urgency, we will do all we can to meet with you.
Students can also be seen
by a counselor without a previously scheduled appointment during our walk-in
times, each Monday
through Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is recommended that students
schedule appointments
in advance whenever possible.
11. My roommate
is really struggling with depression, eating disorders, etc. Can I talk
with someone
in your office about how this effects me and what I can do to help?
Absolutely!
12. Does the Broene Counseling Center prescribe medication?
Medication can be a very helpful and necessary part of treatment for some
students. This can be facilitated in a number of ways. Some students go
to Health Services on campus where nurse practitioners and physicians
can evaluate and prescribe. Some students see our consulting psychiatrist
in the Broene Counseling Center who is on campus on Thursday afternoons.
Some see a community physician or psychiatrist. In all cases, Broene counselors
and the prescribing professional, with the consent of the student, keep
each other informed of the student’s status in order to maintain
good continuity of care.
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