Mental Health Services
What is Counseling?
Welcome to our Wellness Center's counseling office. Our goal is to help you achieve balance in your approach to the world - to help you find meaning in your lives. If you are in physical, emotional, or even spiritual pain ~ our center is a place where you can discuss the process of healing. If you are temporarily saddened, stressed, angry, obsessed, scared ~ if you are not functioning the way you know you can, we can help you find the path back to wellness. Even if your journey is from health to greater well-being, our offices can support you in this quest.
Counseling is not easily described in general statements. It varies depending on the personalities of the counselor and the student, and the particular problems you bring to the session. There are many different approaches that counselors may use. Dr. Herzbrun's clinical orientation and background include elements of both neo-analytic and humanistic theories. The focus of his doctoral research and training were in the field of counseling; his masters level education and internship were in clinical psychology. You can find further information from his resume.
Dr. Clingerman's clinical work is grounded in her focus on the relationships we create with those around us. In her office, she builds a place of safety and empowerment for students, drawing from their own inner skills and strengths.
As you might imagine, the counseling process carries with it both risks and benefits. Since counseling may involve discussing unpleasant aspects of your life, you may experience uncomfortable feelings such as sadness, anger, frustration, anxiety, or doubt. And yet even though there are no "guarantees," by talking about issues that matter in your life, the process often leads to better relationships, solutions to specific problems, and significant reductions in feelings of distress.
At the Mental Health Services, we consider the first session to be a "consultation." During this time, you and the counselor you meet with will both decide whether or not to continue the counseling process together. If we decide to schedule additional sessions, we will usually arrange these on a week-to-week basis. Generally students arrange from one to a maximum of six visits in any given semester, and of course there is no charge for this service. If however we determine that a referral to an off-campus provider is indicated, the costs of these off-campus sessions would then be your responsibility.