|
Frequently Asked Questions
Personal Counseling
Q: Who is eligible
to use Counseling Center services?
Q: Do I have to pay for Counseling Center
services?
Q: If I go to the Counseling Center,
does it mean there is something wrong with me?
Q: If I decide to use the services
of the Counseling Center, what type of time commitment do I need to make?
Q: What if I start feeling suicidal
or feel I can't cope?
Q: If I am concerned about one of
my friends or someone I know, what can I do?
Q: If I visit the Counseling Center,
what kinds of records are kept and who has access to these records?
Q: Does the Counseling Center provide
academic advice?
Q: Does the Counseling Center provide
advise on career planning or employment?
Q:
Who is eligible to use Counseling Center services?
A: All students who pay the
Registration Fee are eligible for Counseling Center services. Sometimes
other people important in your life, such as children, parents, spouses/partners,
or friends, may be involved in counseling sessions with you. The need
to involve others will be determined by you and your therapist.
Q: Do
I have to pay for Counseling Center services?
A: No fee is charged to students
who currently are enrolled at UCI and have paid the Registration Fee.
Q:
If I go to the Counseling Center, does it mean there is something wrong
with me?
A: No, it does not; for the
most part students who use our services are interested in their personal
growth and adjustment to the world around them. Many students face normal
developmental concerns and academic pressures while at UCI, and at times
they may feel acute anxiety, anger, or depression. For these problems,
as well as for more serious crises, it is helpful to gain the perspective
of a trained and unbiased person. The Counseling Center staff is trained
to help you think about alternatives or options to your behavior and ways
of dealing with the world.
Q: If
I decide to use the services of the Counseling Center, what type of time
commitment do I need to make?
A: The amount of time you spend
in therapy is determined by your own needs. In general, there is an eight-session
limit on individual counseling and no limit on the amount of group counseling
you may receive in any academic year. Occasionally, students are referred
to agencies outside the campus if it is deemed necessary.
Q:
What if I start feeling suicidal or feel I can't cope?
A: If you feel this way, please
call or come to the Center and ask to speak with a therapist right away.
If the Center is not open, call the Campus Police (824-5222).
Q:
If I am concerned about one of my friends or someone I know, what can
I do?
A: You can come over to the
Center or call to arrange a time to speak with a therapist about what
you might be able to do to help your friend or to get your friend to see
a therapist. If you think the friend is having a serious crisis, call
immediately. If the Center is not open, call the Campus Police (824-5222).
Q:
If I visit the Counseling Center, what kinds of records are kept and who
has access to these records?
A: When you come to the Center
you will complete a short information sheet that allows us to keep a record
of what kinds of students utilize our services (class level, major, age,
gender, etc.) and what their concerns are. Staff also complete a basic
information sheet. No information about you is released unless you give
us written authorization, except in a few situations where it is necessary
to protect you or someone else from physical harm.
Q:
Does the Counseling Center provide academic advice?
A: No. Each academic unit is
responsible for academic advising for its students. Undergraduate students
who have not decided on an academic major should contact the office of
the Dean of Undergraduate Studies, 256 Administration, to learn about
the General Studies Advising Program. If, however, you are uncertain about
academic career decisions of a general nature, by all means come in and
talk with us.
Q:
Does the Counseling Center provide advice on career planning or employment?
A: No. The Career and Life
Planning Center, located on the first floor of Student Services I, provides
advice and guidance about career planning, employment goals, and part-time
and full-time jobs. However, if you find that you are experiencing personal
stress that relates to decisions about career planning, you may want to
discuss these concerns with a therapist. Sometimes personal concerns cannot
be separated from the career decision process, and it may be helpful to
discuss these concerns with both the Counseling Center and Career and
Life Planning Center staff. We encourage you to use the Counseling Center
services that are available to you!
|
