PERSONAL COUNSELING

What is Counseling?
Myths of Counseling
What Can I Expect in Counseling?
How Do I Know if I Need Counseling?
Our Email Policy

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What is Counseling?

Counseling is a growth process through which individuals are helped to define goals, make decisions, and solve problems related to personal-social, educational and career concerns. This process is carried out with a trained professional and a client.

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What Can I Expect in Counseling?

The following are some of the things that you can expect:

• You will be doing most of the talking.
• Sometimes you may experience painful feelings before you start feeling better.
• What you talk about with the counselor is confidential. Your professors and parents WILL NOT be informed about what you discuss during the sessions. There are some limits to confidentiality; however, these will be explained and given to you in writing on your first visit.
• While in counseling, you can talk about whatever is concerning you at the time. The counselor will help you examine your concerns and assist you in finding a means to fulfill your goals. The counseling center has many methods of counseling such as individual counseling, couple's counseling, relaxation, assertiveness training, and group therapy.

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Myths About Counseling

Counseling and the therapeutic process is something that is misunderstood by many people.

There are some common myths about counseling:

MYTH 1: Counseling is only for people who have emotional problems.

FACT: While counseling does deal with people who have emotional problems it can also help:

Students choose a major or career path; Individuals who just want to understand themselves better; Couples who are contemplating marriage or want a stronger relationship; Individuals who have difficulty being assertive; Individuals having problems with grades and tests and/or are on academic probation or suspension; Students having difficulty juggling school, work, or parenting; Students trying to fit in and adjust to their new surroundings in Dayton.

MYTH 2: People in counseling are inherently weak.

FACT: There is nothing weak about a person who enters counseling. The individuals who enter counseling are, in fact, taking the first step in solving their difficulties. A lot of people would view this as courageous.

MYTH 3: Change is simple.

FACT: Change is not always simple and may take time and energy to happen. Therapy is not a "quick fix" cure to your problems.

MYTH 4: The therapist is your "psychic" who tells you what to do with your life and how to "fix" your problems.

FACT: A counselor is NOT there to TELL you how to solve your problems or to offer you advice. The therapist IS there to help you achieve the goals you set and help you resolve your problems.

MYTH 5: The psychologists at the counseling center can prescribe medications for me such as anti-depressants for my problems.

FACT: Psychologists do not prescribe medications - a psychiatrist or a general physician prescribes medication. The counseling center provides limited psychiatric services to those students who see one of our therapists. If you need a prescription drug, we can provide appropriate referrals to psychiatrists.

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How Do I Know if I Need Counseling?

Counseling may be of help to you if you feel concerned about:

• Where you are going with your life
• Picking the wrong female, male, friends
• Something you have never told anybody, but feel like you should
• Studying. You do your homework, but don't seem to learn
• Not knowing how to study. The fact that you received all "A"s and "B"s in high school and now are on academic probation
• Deciding on a major
• Drinking or using drugs
• Feeling like you can't go on
• Thinking that things always go wrong
• The fact that you were popular back home and now don't seem to be able to meet people in college
• Feeling sad or depressed most of the time
• Your physical or learning disability
• Either eating too much or too little
• Feeling stressed out or anxious