Individual Counseling

 

Individual counseling (sometimes called psychotherapy, talk therapy, or simply counseling) is a process through which individuals work one-on-one with a trained mental health professional in a safe, caring, and confidential environment. The counseling process facilitates exploration of feelings, beliefs, and behaviors, and gently encourages individuals to work through challenging or influential memories, identify aspects of their lives that they would like to change, better understand themselves and others, set personal goals, and work toward desired change. 

Individuals may seek counseling for a variety of reasons varying from personal topics in life. Some common reasons why a person may choose to seek counseling are: Stress, Family Problems, Depression, Anxiety, Relationships, Eating Disorders, Grief/Loss, Self-Esteem, Anger Management, Assertiveness, Sexuality, Parenting, Academic Difficulties, Career Decisions, Conflict Resolution, Health/Disability Issues, Trauma, Roommates, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, loneliness, and/or a mental health disorder. 

Counseling appointments are typically scheduled once a week for 6-10 sessions and last approximately 45-50 minutes each.

 

Vocational Assessment

 

Vocational assessment is the process of determining an individual’s interests, abilities and aptitudes and skills to identify vocational strengths, needs and career potential. Vocational assessment may use a variety of standardized techniques (e.g., IQ tests, tests of academic achievement) or non-standardized approaches (e.g., interviews, observations). Vocational assessment is part of the vocational guidance process and usually results in recommendations for education, career-guidance or employment. Most vocational assessments will include the following components:

  • Interview and Observations (to obtain relevant background and current information)
  • IQ test (to determine your level of intellectual functioning)
  • Achievement and Aptitude Tests (to determine your level of academic skills)
  • Personality Test (to determine the typical ways in which you approach situations and react to them)
  • Vocational interest Test (to determine which professions and jobs may be best suited for you)
  • Other tests (to obtain any other targeted information as needed)
  • Test interpretation and final reports (to explain the results in a way so you can make the most of the above information).

Vocational assessment appointments are typically scheduled for one session of 6-8 hours or two sessions of 3-4 hours each. Reports of comprehensive assessments take approximately 2 weeks to become available.

 

Group Counseling

 

Group counseling is a process whereby individuals work on specific areas of their life in a group setting. Group members talk about a variety of issues including exploring relationships, improving self-esteem, and enhancing coping skills.  Group members share information about themselves and provide feedback to others while group leaders facilitate productive communication in the group. Although the group leaders may suggest a topic for exploration, group members may also suggest areas to explore as needed. Group counseling can be beneficial in a variety of ways. Typically, group members find that they are able to 

  • Learn to communicate more comfortably and effectively.
  • Identify and explore inner feelings.
  • Learn how to receive feedback from others.
  • Verbalize and express their feelings in a productive manner.
  • Learn about closeness and intimacy.
  • Build a sense of comradery and community. 

Group Counseling appointments are typically involve 4-8 students meeting with 1-2 trained counselor(s), typically once a week for 1.5 hours.  

 

 

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