Information Regarding Counseling Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Counseling services remain available to Hamline students during the COVID-19 pandemic. All counseling sessions will be delivered via telepsychology appointments. For more information, click here.
Eligibility for Services
Confidentiality
Cost
Appointment duration
Appointment limit
Summer services
Staff qualifications
How it works
Does it help?
Maximizing benefits
Off-campus referrals
Waiting list
Group Counseling
Training Opportunities (Post Doc)
Who is eligible to receive counseling services at C&HS?
All Hamline students are eligible to receive counseling
services.
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.
Is there a cost to see a counselor?
Counseling services are free to Hamline University
undergraduate students. (Costs are
covered in tuition fees.) Graduate
students may pay a per-semester fee for access to counseling services.
How long is a counseling appointment?
Counseling sessions are either 30 or 60 minutes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of ongoing counseling sessions will be 30 minutes in duration.
How many counseling appointments am I allowed to have?
Our general guideline is a maximum of 10 sessions per academic year. However, students may petition to extend the duration of their counseling work beyond 10 sessions if extenuating circumstances arise. Others may find that their needs are met with just a few sessions. (The average number of counseling sessions used by Hamline students is 5-6 per year.)
Is counseling available during the summer?
From late-May through mid-August, C&HS maintains limited hours of operation and counseling services. Students interested in participating in summer counseling should call the office for information about counselor availability. (If there is no availability for ongoing counseling, students can nevertheless receive assistance with off-campus referrals.)
What are the qualifications of the counseling staff at C&HS?
Counseling at Hamline is provided by individuals who have
completed a doctorate in counseling or
clinical psychology from a graduate program accredited by the American
Psychological Association. 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 a collaborative process whereby your psychologist will work with you to identify your main concerns, determine a plan of action, and work with you to make measurable progress towards your goals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, counseling may focus more heavily on problem-solving, coping strategies, and identification of resources.
Does counseling really help?
Yes. Research studies
with large national samples have shown that most people who use counseling find
it helpful. The vast majority of
students surveyed at Hamline also report that their problems were improved or
resolved as a result of participation in counseling, and that they would
recommend counseling to a friend. (Not
surprisingly, the amount that you will benefit depends on how much effort you
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.)
- Prepare for 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 they can help
you figure out alternative strategies for addressing your concerns if necessary.
Can C&HS provide off-campus referrals for counseling services?
Yes. We maintain a
detailed list of community mental health providers in the Twin Cities area, and can also assist you with finding qualified providers in other areas as well.
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.
Group Counseling
In addition to individual counseling services, C&HS
offers a variety of counseling groups during the fall and spring semesters.
For more information about current group offerings, contact us at
counselinghealth@hamline.edu.
Training Opportunities
C&HS offers a post-doctoral fellowship for graduate
students in counseling or clinical psychology.
Undergraduate students interested in gaining experience related to
health and well-being may be interested in the Hamline Peer Education Program.