Print Page • Email Page 

What to Expect at the Counseling Center

See Also: Making an Appointment

During your first meeting with a professionally trained and skilled counselor, you can expect to be asked questions about your concerns as well as any history that may be relevant to an understanding of yourself. After discussing your concerns with you, the counselor may decide to:

• See you individually
• Refer you to another college service
• Refer you to a service in the community

Depending on the time of the year that you are seeking counseling, you may have to wait several weeks for an appointment. If you are in an immediate crisis, we will try to see you as soon as possible.

In counseling you can expect:

• To be listened to
• Help communicating clearly
• Help putting your concerns in perspective
• To develop goals and plans
• Confidentiality

  We are not allowed to discuss our counseling, even the fact that you have sought counseling, with anyone outside of this office, unless you have given us written permission to do so.
  
  The exceptions to the confidentially policy include certain life and death emergencies or by court order. If your counselor believes that you intend to harm yourself or others, or suspects child abuse/neglect or dependent adult abuse/neglect on your part, the counselor is legally and ethically bound to report this to the appropriate authorities.

Your counselor will expect you to:

• Be as honest and open as possible
• Commit to working on your concerns
• Accept responsibility for your feelings and actions
• Keep your appointments and show up on time

  If unable to keep your appointment, please call to cancel or reschedule to open times for other students.

A-Z Site Index | Contact TMCC