Frequently Asked Questions about CounselingWhat is counseling?Counseling - or psychotherapy - is a professional relationship that focuses on personal problems. The counseling relationship differs from both social friendships and patient-doctor contacts. Unlike friends, counselors are able to be objective; they are not involved in your daily lives. Unlike most doctors, counselors don't give specific advice or tell you what to do. Instead, they serve as skilled listeners who help you to clarify issues, discover your true wishes and feelings, and deal effectively with problems. What backgrounds and training do Wellness Exchange counselors have?Wellness Exchange counselors are psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, nurse practitioners, and advanced trainees in those professions. There are male and female counselors, counselors from different racial and national backgrounds, and counselors who specialize in substance abuse, gay/lesbian/bisexual concerns, eating disorders, international students, and the OASS populations. We also have counselors who specialize in the issues of students from different schools: CAS, Education, Gallatin, GSP, Law, Social Work, Tisch and students living in Residence Halls. How long does counseling usually last?Length of counseling varies. Some problems lend themselves to a one or two session consultation. Others require a series of appointments, the length to be decided by you and your counselor. If you need longer than short-term counseling, your counselor will discuss with you affordable referral resources in the community. What kinds of issues are addressed in counseling?Here is a partial list of common student concerns that could be addressed in counseling:
How private is my meeting with a counselor?Wellness Exchange counseling services are confidential. No one outside the office is informed that you've come to seek assistance. Counseling is not part of your college record. Are there exceptions to confidentiality?Yes - in case of a life-threatening emergency, suspected child abuse, the need to share limited information with the Student Health Center and evaluations when an administrator has sent you to Counseling & Behavioral Health Services expecting to receive feedback. Evaluations take place only with your full awareness and permission. These exceptions are rare. In every other case, your visit is completely confidential. Do I always have to have an appointment to see a counselor? What if I don't want to see someone face to face?You don't have to have an appointment with a counselor. Students can access counseling in a number of different ways. They can call the Wellness Exchange hotline (212-443-9999) to be connected with a mental health professional that will help them cope with a crisis, as well as with other challenges they may be facing. Students can make appointments for face to face sessions by calling 212-998-4780 Monday - Friday. Students can stop in and talk to a counselor during walk-in hours (no appointment necessary). The schedule can be found at www.nyu.edu/999/counseling. In addition, students can write to the Wellness Exchange email 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to correspond with an NYU counselor. Counselors will respond to students within 24 hours. How quickly could I be seen? What if I have an emergency?Appointments are usually available within a few days. Students who need to be seen sooner should come to the walk-in clinic. For evening and weekend emergencies, call NYU Public Safety at (212) 998-2222. You will be connected with a Crisis Response Counselor (CRC). The CRC will speak to you over the phone and, if appropriate, can also arrange to meet you in person. This emergency service is available around the clock. You may also call the Wellness Exchange hotline at 212-443-9999, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to speak to a trained counselor. Other than speaking one-to-one with a counselor, how can I address my concerns?Sometimes a problem is better addressed through group counseling than individual appointments. Talking to other students who have had similar experiences provides support and perspective. A counseling group can be powerfully healing; for some students, one of the most rewarding experiences during their NYU years. Every semester, new groups are offered. To sign up for a group, you must arrange to speak to the group leader by calling Counseling & Behavioral Health Services (CBH) 212-998-4780. CBH also offers 2-session self-improvement classes. This Fall, the courses are:
To sign up, please call (212) 998-4780. CBH counselors are available to conduct mental health workshops. RAs, classroom instructors, or anyone else interested in a workshop should call 212-998-4780 and ask to speak to Meghan Sullivan. She will work with you to arrange a workshop. CBH offers the following workshops:
A weekly Stress Reduction Clinic is held at the CBH office at 726 Broadway, Suite #471 on Tuesdays from 12 to 1 p.m. The clinic provides exposure to various stress reduction techniques. All interested students are encouraged to drop in. What if I'm worried about a friend?In a large, fragmented community like NYU, it's vital to reach out to others, particularly those who are isolated or engaged in self-destructive activities. Campus mental health is the responsibility of all of us. Here are some common signs that someone may be having emotional troubles or even feeling suicidal:
Here are ways to be helpful when someone shows some of these signs:
|
|
