At the center, we refer to the process in which a student (who is the client) meets one-on-one with a staff member to discuss his or her concerns or developmental goals as counseling or therapy. NC State Counseling Center staff members are mental health professionals who are usually trained as professional counselors or psychologists. The staff offers diversity in expertise, training, educational experiences, areas of interest, gender, and cultural background. Your counselor will be able to provide a supportive place to talk about your thoughts, to express your feelings, to develop solutions, and to make changes.

WHEN? AND HOW LONG?

Typically, you will meet with your counselor for a 50-minute appointment each week or every other week. You and your counselor will decide whether to set a regular "standing" appointment day and time or whether the appointment will vary from week to week. This will depend on your schedule and the counselor’s availability. Your appointment will generally begin "on the hour," between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., and end at 10 minutes before the next hour.

Students are usually seen on a shor-term basis, determined by their concerns or developmental goals. Most people find that a limited number of sessions, matched to their needs, provides the focus and help they need with specific goals. You and your counselor will collaborate in making the best therapy plan for your area of change.

WHAT TO EXPECT?

Your work in counseling will be aimed at finding ways to deal with problems in everyday living. These might include adjusting to college life, academic pressures and life direction. They may also include problems with depression, low self-esteem, anxieties and fears, eating and body image, relationships or friendships, guilt or anger, family problems or dealing with parents, life traumas, or difficulties from your past. In addition, therapy can focus on personal development and growth through clarification of your thoughts and feelings about yourself, your sexual orientation, your family, other people, and events in your life.

Most of the time you spend in counseling will consist of talking about the issues you have presented to your counselor. There is likely to be some balance between talking about your present-day adjustment, and discussing the roots of your concerns in your family or experiences growing up. Similarly, there will most likely be a balance between insight – understanding the causes of your concerns or questions – and direct behavior changes.

PLANNING FOR CHANGE

In addition to "talking therapy," active work such as relaxation, assertiveness training, visiting another campus office, and practicing new behavior may be part of your counseling process. Your counselor will collaborate with you to develop a more defined plan for change. The exact focus and balance of your counseling experience will depend on the issues you bring into therapy and your counselor’s perspective. Usually, people first experiment with understanding themselves, expressing feelings and changing behaviors in the safe, supportive counseling environment. Then, they practice these outside of the therapy hour and learn to be more comfortable and confident about their own efforts. Finally, they move on to continue growing and reaching for their potential after counseling has ended.

HOW DO I GET INTO COUNSELING?

If you have never been to the Counseling Center, you should call or stop by to schedule an intake session. During this meeting with a counselor, you can discuss your interest in counseling and what the most appropriate treatment is for you. If you are not sure about counseling, and have more questions, feel free to come in and consult with one of our counselors. To contact the Counseling Center, stop by Student Health Center or call 919-515-2423.