Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

What is counseling?
Counseling—or psychotherapy—is a professional relationship with a therapist to help you with personal problems. The counseling relationship differs from both social friendships and traditional patient-doctor relationships. Rather than giving you specific advice, counselors serve as skilled listeners who help you clarify issues, discover wishes and explore feelings, which can help you deal more effectively with your problems.

Isn’t it better for me to solve problems on my own?
A counselor doesn’t solve your problems for you. Rather, he or she helps you clarify issues so you can solve problems on your own. The goal of counseling is to make you more self-sufficient, not more dependent.

But I’m not crazy!
You don’t have to be severely disturbed to speak with a counselor. On the contrary, it’s a sign of health to recognize when you have a problem and to seek help for it.

Who will I see if I come to Counseling Services?
Professional staff are licensed psychologists and counselors. Graduate
student counselors from the Departments of Psychology and Leadership and Counseling also provide services under the supervision of professional staff.
Counseling Staff

What kind of problems do students come to counseling for?
Students encounter many problems during college years and find support from
friends, relatives, and EMU staff and faculty. Counseling Services can help when
concerns lasts too long, when the problem interferes with the
relationship between the student and EMU staff, when the problem
affects school, work or friendships, and when problems are complicated
and are better handled by trained professionals.
click here to Self Help Resources

Who can be seen for counseling?
- All registered EMU students.
- Faulty and staff can be seen for brief consultation in person or by phone.

When can I see a counselor?
- Appointments are available Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- EMERGENCIES DO NOT REQUIRE AN APPOINTMENT!

Is there a charge for the services?
No. Services for counseling are provided to registered students at no cost.

What if I have an emergency?  
- Emergency support is available for students in crisis (e.g., following a sexual assault or serious suicidal thought). 
-Between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., come into Counseling Services and tell the front desk that you are having an emergency. The next available counselor will talk to you.  
- After 5:00 p.m., please call 911, your local emergency room, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273-TALK

What can I expect at my first visit to Counseling Services?
Please arrive at least 20 minutes prior to the scheduled appointment to complete some information. This will help the therapist know the reason(s) you have sought our services and how s/he can assist you. The therapist will meet with you for approximately 45 minutes. At this first session you will be asked questions to clarify your current situation and past history. The counselor will discuss treatment options with you. We will make every effort to see that you receive the best available care, whether it is on or off campus.

Do you have specific counselors who deal with sexual orientation, ethnicity, or drug and alcohol issues?
All of our staff members are trained to address a range of concerns. See our diversity statement.

Will my counseling records be a part of my academic record?
All counseling records are confidential and are not part of the academic record.

What if I need longer-term psychotherapy?
Counseling Services staff will refer you to agencies and private psychotherapists in the community. Some agencies see students on a sliding-fee scale, so you are charged only what you can afford to pay. Many EMU students are covered under health insurance which often pays for mental health and substance abuse treatment.

What kind of workshops do you offer?
Day and Evening workshops or discussions on stress, conflict resolution, gender
differences in communication, eating disorders, and several others. Click here for Winter 08 workshops.

What can I do if I am concerned about a friend?
You can talk with a therapist by phone or set up a brief appointment to discuss what is happening with your friend and what you think you might be able to do to help. If you think it is a crisis, call immediately.

What self-help resources are available?
Counseling Services has a lending library of self-help books and audiotapes. You might also look at some of the handouts in Self Help Resources or check out some of the Web Links.