We are required to keep these records by standards of professional counseling practice. These records help us to know whether we have your permission to contact you if we need to reschedule an appointment, to have basic information on file if your counselor is unavailable or if you come back in the future and cannot remember whom you spoke with here, to help us evaluate our services, to know how many students are being served, and so forth. The first step in helping you is to determine exactly what kind of counseling you need. Everyone who seeks counseling here receives an intake assessment interview. You will be asked about what brings you here for assistance, about your background, and so forth.
Some people have a preference to work with a counselor of a particular age, gender or ethnicity.
You will have an opportunity to express your preferences, if any, during your assessment session. While we may not always be able to accommodate your preferences, we will try to do so. Based on the information you provide, specific recommendations will be made. Often a counseling group here at the center is recommended. Sometimes individual counseling is indicated.