Frequently Asked Questions - Counseling

6 sessions per semester.

45 -50 minutes.

No, normally you are scheduled with a counselor who fits best with your schedule and if you are comfortable with this counselor you would have all of your sessions with him or her.

No, any student can talk to a counselor for any reason. Sometimes we just need someone to listen to us or to get a different perspective on our life. Any issue no matter how small it may seem is worth talking to a counselor about.
We see everything you can imagine, but the most common issues are: stress, anxiety ( including test-anxiety), relationship issues, depression, grief and loss, alcohol/drug or other addiction concerns, eating disorders, self-esteem issues, low motivation, procrastination, loneliness and/or isolation, homesickness, financial concerns, sexual assault, sexual identity confusion and difficulty transitioning to being independent from one's family.
Yes, everything that you share with your counselor is confidential with some state-mandated exceptions. These include: 1) reported current sexual, physical or emotional abuse to a minor, dependent adult or elder and 2) reported intent to harm oneself or someone else. Otherwise, all information shared is strictly confidential including the fact that you are seeing a counselor.
Absolutely not! All paperwork that is filled out in Student Health Services is kept locked in our confidential files and is not part of the students' records in the admissions office.
Yes! As long as one of you is a currently registered student at SBCC, you can bring a friend, roommate, child, significant other or family member to counseling with you.
If students need more than the six sessions, they are given community referrals that are appropriate for their needs. Many students, however, choose to spread out their sessions and come back each semester. Since we do have long breaks in between semesters, it is often helpful for some students to have additional outside referrals to assist them.
No, we do not accept payment for our personal counseling services. These services are covered through the student health fee required for all enrolled SBCC students. The reason we limit it to 6 sessions per semester is not financial but rather an issue of accommodating all students who wish to utilize our services. If we offered unlimited sessions to all students then we would not have space to serve as many students.
No, our sessions are either in person or can sometimes be done on the phone, but we do not provide on-line counseling. We do, however, have a lot of information on our website about many personal counseling issues as well as relevant links that you may find helpful.
Of course! It is essential that you feel as if you can trust and open up to the counselor who you see. If for any reason it does not feel like a good connection or you are uncomfortable in any way, please ask to see someone else. Everyone is different. Even if one of your friends recommends a particular counselor, it might not be the best match for you. 
Of course not. You are eligible with your student health fee for six sessions per semester, but that does not mean that if you come in you must be seen five more times that semester. Sometimes one session can be just what you needed to get clarity on an issue. It is up to you whether or not you would like to reschedule.
If you are experiencing an emergency during the hours that Student Health Services is open, (Mondays and Thursdays, 8am-4pm, Tuesday and Wednesday, 8am - 6pm and Fridays, 8am-1pm) please call us at 965-0581 x4098 and let us know that you would like to get a message to your counselor or to see whoever is available for a crisis appointment that day (your counselor may not be available but another counselor will be able to help you or refer you to an appropriate community agency). If you are experiencing an emergency outside of our normal business hours you can call 911 or the 24 hour community crisis line at 1 (888) 868-1649.
Our counselors are only available during each semester and when they are on campus during their scheduled hours. Counselors will give you community referrals if you would like counseling or support in between semesters. If you have a counseling question or need a referral between semesters you can contact our Personal Counseling Coordinator on her e-mail at bostwick@sbcc.edu