Next Installment Campus Wellness Letter,
Vol.14, No.9
 
IT’S OKAY TO ASK FOR HELP!!!
Counseling or Psychotherapy is a Useful Tool

Part 1
 
Most of us have heard a joke or two about therapy. With the not so favorable media representations some may wonder what it really is all about. Furthermore, thanks to adequate common sense, many people seem to find ways to make good choices and feel positive about their journey towards living fully. However, life can at times pitch a hard ball, followed by a swing and a miss. When faced with things that seem unmanageable, due to negative stigmas attached to counseling or psychotherapy, some prefer to talk to a friend, family member, minister or medical doctor first. It is okay to start there, however it is also worth considering when to come in for more help.

When to Come In?
Circumstances or situations can sometimes become unbearable and it helps to have someone trustworthy to talk with in confidence. Some people believe that asking for help is a sign of weakness. If you faced a mound of dirt that blocked an entrance into a better place and you had the choice of two tools: a spoon or a shovel, which one would you take? Even though the spoon would work eventually, it would take longer to clear the path than if you used a shovel. Since you choose to do the work anyway, why not ease the load along the way and use the most efficient tool? Counseling can be one of many tools to assist someone who may be stuck or have exhausted their support team.

Typical Reasons to See a Counselor:
- Dealing with a sudden crisis situation (i.e. death, relationship ending, accident, or traumatic event)
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Difficulty adjusting to a new change (leaving home, new job, ready to graduate, etc.)
- Uncontrollable Destructive Decision Making

What are the Qualities of a Good Counselor?
A good counselor is a caring person you can count on to B.A.T.T. 100%:

- Be present

- Actively listen

- Take confidentiality seriously

- Trust the process

IT’S OKAY TO ASK FOR HELP!!!
Counseling or Psychotherapy is a Useful Tool
Part 2

What Are Counseling Sessions Like?
In the first session the counselor asks a lot of questions and does more talking than in the remaining time you work together. Sometimes you may feel uncomfortable with the questions asked, however it is important to get a sense of what concerns you most, how bad things have gotten and what you hope to gain from the sessions.
The following information is sought in order to help the counselor determine the difference between physical and emotional distress or a combination of both:

what concerns you now
your past emotional or social problems
any medical problems, past or present
current medications you are taking
past and present use of drugs or alcohol
family history of medical and/or psychological problems

What’s Next? 
At the end of the first session the counselor will ask you to think about what you would like to work on and to spend some time before the next meeting reflecting on the changes you hope to see.

How Does Change Happen?
When you feel comfortable and able to talk openly with your counselor, it is usually a sign of a good fit. This relationship will be the major factor that facilitates change. Even though the counseling sessions will be a place of support, at times you will experience some discomfort and that is okay.

How Often Do I Have to Come?
Sometimes people need just a few sessions to work through a crisis, develop some coping strategies and move on. Others may choose to spend a little more time going a little further beneath the surface. It’s a personal decision made between the client and counselor.  

Be Your Own Self-Care Advocate!  You are welcomed to come in and see what services are available at the Student Counseling Center.  Our offices are located next to Campus Safety in Haverhill A. To schedule an appointment,  please call x4239. We also have a list of local professionals if an outside referral is necessary. Take good care and remember to use your tools!

 “The world is full of abundance and opportunity, but far too many people come to the fountain of life with a sieve instead of a tank car... a teaspoon instead of a steam shovel. They expect little and as a result they get little."
~ Ben Sweetland

The next inSTALLments can now also be found at www.whittier.edu: click on Student Life, click on Wellness Letter: or sign on to MyWhittier.edu, click on Campus Life, click on Wellness Coalition, click on Wellness Letter.