Is counseling confidential?
Who is eligible to receive counseling services at C&HS?
Is there a cost to see a counselor?
How long is a counseling appointment?
How many counseling appointments am I allowed to have?
Is counseling available during the summer?
What are the qualifications of the counseling staff at C&HS?
How does counseling work?
Does counseling really help?
What can I do to get the most out of counseling?
Can C&HS provide off-campus referrals for counseling services?
I’ve heard about a wait list. What does that mean?
Is counseling confidential?
All counseling information (including the fact that a student has been seen by a counselor) is considered private information under the Minnesota State Privacy Act and laws covering privileged communication between a client and a therapist. Neither parents nor university employees have access to information about your participation in counseling, unless you specifically request (in writing) that your counselor share this information.
Who is eligible to receive counseling services at C&HS?
All Hamline students are eligible to receive counseling services. For couples counseling, non-student partners are eligible to participate in the company of a registered Hamline student.
Is there a cost to see a counselor?
No. All counseling services are free to Hamline University students.
How long is a counseling appointment?
Counseling appointments are scheduled for 50 minutes.
How many counseling appointments am I allowed to have?
In the interest of providing access to as many students as possible, we operate on a short-term model with a limit of 10 individual counseling sessions per academic year. For concerns that may potentially require more extensive counseling, C&HS staff will work with you to determine whether your needs are best addressed through on-campus counseling services, or by working with a specialist in the local community.
Is counseling available during the summer?
During the months of June, July, and August, C&HS only offers brief consultation and referral services. Students seeking regular on-going counseling during the summer will receive assistance in identifying appropriate community resources (including low-cost providers).
What are the qualifications of the counseling staff at C&HS?
Counseling at Hamline is provided by individuals who have completed (or are in the process of completing) a doctorate in counseling or clinical psychology from a graduate program accredited by the American Psychological Association. Graduate student counselors at Hamline receive extensive training and supervision from the permanent staff. Each member of the permanent counseling staff is a Minnesota state-licensed psychologist. All counseling services at C&HS are offered under the oversight of the Director of Counseling, Hussein Rajput, PhD, LP.
How does counseling work?
Counseling is different for each person. In general, when you meet with a counselor for the first time, you can expect to discuss your concerns in detail. Your counselor will want to understand how the problem began, and how it affects your daily life. You and your counselor may agree that just “venting” was sufficiently helpful. Or, you may jointly decide on a plan for dealing with your concerns on an ongoing basis. This could involve continued discussion and exploration of the nature of the problem, as well as specific strategies to address it. For example, your counselor might ask you to record when and where a problem seems to recur, and might help you with targeted skill-building exercises, such as relaxation training.
Does counseling really help?
In surveys of students who have utilized services at Hamline, the vast majority report that their problems were improved or resolved as a result of their participation in counseling. Not surprisingly, the amount of benefit that students experience from counseling also depends on how much effort they are willing to put into the process.
What can I do to get the most out of counseling?
- Attend all your scheduled appointments. (If you are not able to attend a given appointment, please provide C&HS as much advanced notice as possible.)
- Come to each counseling session with some ideas of what you want to focus on. Be honest about your feelings, thoughts, and experiences.
- Work with your counselor to develop your counseling goals, discuss your progress towards these goals, and modify them as needed.
- Complete any “homework” planned by you and your counselor.
- Let your counselor know if you feel you are not being helped, so that he or she can help you figure out alternative strategies for addressing your concerns.
Can C&HS provide off-campus referrals for counseling services?
Yes. We maintain a detailed list of community mental health providers with offices close to campus.
I’ve heard about a wait list. What does that mean?
During times of peak demand for services, students sometimes have to wait to access on-going counseling appointments. The average time spent on the waiting list is 1-2 weeks. However, wait times may extend longer if you are seeking to meet with only one particular member of the staff. While a student is on the wait list, crisis counseling is still available during weekday crisis hours. Alternatively, students who prefer to access community resources can schedule a one-time consultation/referral appointment.