What is Personal Counseling?
Personal Counseling aides in the exploration and resolution of personal problems and issues which are adjusted according to the needs of each individual student. Personal Counseling can help students identify and accomplish their personal, academic, and career goals, enhance personal development, meet life’s challenges, and improve interpersonal relationships Counseling and Career Planning Services can offer up to six confidential sessions in a semester. If further help is wanted or needed by an individual, Counseling and Career Planning Services will give a referral to local counseling agency.
Group counseling is a form of counseling where five to ten people meet to discuss a particular topic. Group counseling can be very beneficial; one of the greatest benefits is the realization that you are not alone. Another benefit is the stories, ideas, and friendships that can be developed in group counseling.
Some of the issues often addressed in individual counseling are but not limited to:
- Stress
- Don't know how to cope with life circumstances
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Self-esteem
- Identity issues, including cultural, religious, gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender, etc.
- Body image, eating disorders
- Loneliness
- Difficulty forming or maintaining healthy relationships
- Physical or emotional abuse (past or present)
- Cross-cultural issues (including cultural conflicts between parents & child)
- Difficulty defining problems
- Marked changes in functioning
- Irritability
- Changes in thinking or perceptual abilities
- Difficulty setting limits with others
- Substance Abuse or Use
Why Counseling?
Counseling is not only used in times of crisis or distress. Nor does not mean you are “crazy”. Counseling can be sought at any time for any reason. Through counseling you can gain the following:
- Understanding in safe environment: A counselor provides an environment where you are free to express your thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment. Talking to a counselor can help gain understanding and possibility a different perspective on life’s challenges.
- It’s your time: Counseling is not like talking to your friend, it is your time, and can you choose to talk about what is important to you.
- Gain Knowledge: Talking with a counselor can help you become more aware of what is important, your goals, growing into the person you want to be, and gaining better understanding of yourself.
What to Expect from Counseling?
- First Visit: You can drop in any time to see the counselor. However, you may be asked to make an appointment. Any student who is in crisis will be seen right away. The first visit primarily deals with what is going, severity of it, and forming a plan of action. The plan action could be setting up problem-solving sessions, individual or group counseling, educational counseling, or a referral to an outside agency.
- Length of Time for on-going counseling:The length of a counseling session generally is 50 minutes.
- Frequency: The frequency of sessions varies from student to student. It could a onetime session; while others time it could be meeting once a week or several times week. Your counselor and you will decide on the frequency session that best fits your needs.
- Collaboration: Your counselor and you are a team, working together to identify your goals or what changes you would like your goals to be. Together, you and your counselor will discuss the realistic amount of time you may see changes take place. Periodically, you and your counselor will review your goals, progress, and to see if any changes to goals are needed or if new goals need to be set.
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Your Rights
- You are free to ask about the counselor’s training, experience, ways of working, supervision, and there professional association affiliation, as well as their code of ethics and complaints procedure.
- You are free to refuse to answer any questions or discuss any aspects about your life that you feel are not relevant or appropriate.
- You may stop counseling at any time for any reason. If you do decide to stop counseling, it would be helpful to inform your counselor and provide feedback about your sessions.
Crisis Intervention
If you are falling apart, if you are having difficulty coping, and are in crisis and need to speak to someone immediately Counseling and Career Planning Services are here to help you. I am available to talk with you Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Please feel free to drop in or call me at 970-675-3205.
If you need assistance after hours, please call:
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Colorado West Mental Health-Rio Blanco Center offers emergency mental health services 24-hours a day, seven days a week. To access emergency help, call the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Department at 970-878-5023 and ask for the on-call mental health worker.
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Rangely Police Department at 970-675-8466
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911
Helpful Links
Go Ask Alice
http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/
The Mental Health Net
http://www.mentalhelp.net/
Psychological Self-Help
http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/center_index.php?id=353&cn=353
Ulifeline
http://www.ulifeline.org/main/Home.html
Half of Us
http://www.halfofus.com/default_splash.aspx
Social Networking and Support-Depression
http://www.depressiontribe.com/
Social Networking and Support-Anxiety
http://www.anxietytribe.com/
Social Networking and Support-OCD
http://www.ocdtribe.com/
Social Networking and Support-Addictions
http://www.addictiontribe.com/
Resources to mastering your worries
http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/infopax.cfm?Info_ID=46
Resources for Social Anxiety
http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/infopax_doc.cfm?Mini_ID=38
Virtual Pamphlets (create a link to)
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Concerned about a roommate or friend(create a link to)
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Special Topics (create a link to)
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Information for Parents (create a link to)
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Information for Incoming Freshmen (create a link to)
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