| Q: Who is eligible to use the Counseling Center services? |
| A: Any currently enrolled Western Carolina University student is eligible
for services during that semester. Students are eligible for services
during the summer only if they are enrolled for at least one 3-credit-hour
course during one of the summer sessions. Faculty & staff are eligible
for groups, workshops, training & consultation services, and one
therapeutic assessment/referral session per personal concern. |
| |
| Q: Do I have to pay? |
| A: No. The services of the Counseling Center are free to all Western
Carolina University students. |
| |
| Q: How do I know if I need counseling? |
| A: Counseling is appropriate for anyone who is troubled by a specific
problem or has a general concern. Students seek counseling for personal
growth, increased self-awareness, self-esteem, anxieties, depression,
family and interpersonal issues, as well as for acute problems or crises.
Oftentimes, people seek professional counseling services when they’ve
exhausted all of their known strategies or coping responses and their
problem still remains. |
| |
| Q: What hours is the Counseling Center open? |
| A: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
on Monday – Friday. |
| |
| Q: Will my contact with the Counseling Center be confidential? |
| A: The information shared in a counseling session is confidential and
will not be disclosed to any persons or organization outside the Counseling
Center without written consent, unless it is to protect you or someone
else from imminent harm, mandated by law (e.g., child or elder abuse,
Homeland Security), ordered by a court or related to a lawsuit against
our services. |
| |
| Q: If I decide to see a counselor, what commitments would I be asked
to make? |
| A: When you come for an initial assessment session, you are not making
a commitment beyond the evaluation sessions, which may vary from 1-2
meetings. If individual counseling is recommended and you choose to use
our services, you’ll probably meet on a weekly basis for a period
of time that is mutually agreed upon. Counseling sessions are typically
50 minutes. We expect you to keep your appointments and to call in advance
when you are unable to attend a session since other people may be waiting
for an appointment. |
| |
| Q: What can I do if I am concerned about a friend? |
| A: You can ask the receptionist to set up a consultation to discuss
what is happening with your friend and what you might be able to do to
help. If you think your friend is in crisis, call immediately. |
| |
| Q: Does the Counseling Center provide academic counseling? |
| A: No, the CAT Center (Catamount Academic Tutoring Center) at (828)
227-2273 provides these services. |
| |
| Q: Does the Counseling Center provide career counseling? |
| A: No, the Career Services Center at (828) 227-7133, provides career
services to students. |
