Your Initial Counseling Appointment
You have been scheduled for an initial appointment with one of our counselors. Check the portal to see if your initial appointment is by phone or in person and how long it will last, as this changes during the semester. During the appointment, you and the counselor will have a chance to talk about your concerns and begin to collaborate on what may be the best ways to move forward. If you have an urgent need during business hours that can’t wait, please use our walk-in counseling services so that we can best support you in your urgent situation.
The Wellness Center has a variety of services, and together we will talk about those best suited to you and your concern. One option might be having regular one-on-one meetings with a counselor. Another option is one of our groups. Groups can be the perfect option for quickly moving through issues, meeting people with similar interests or concerns, learning skills, and getting support. Our groups may differ slightly from semester to semester, and generally meet weekly for 8-10 weeks in the late afternoon when there are fewer classes competing for your time. Make sure you explore the offerings this semester and see what might be right for you!
In some instances, your needs may be better met with another resource on campus and/or by connecting you with a resource off campus. In that case, we will provide you with information to help you make that connection.
There will be paperwork for you to complete before you start your session, so check in through the portal 15-20 minutes before the session so that you and the counselor can start on time and get the most out of your time together.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What will be asked during the appointment?
As mentioned above, the goal of your first conversation with a counselor will be to begin clarifying your concerns and to identify the best ways to address them. To do this, the counselor will ask a variety of personal questions about you and your current concern. However, everyone is different, and there may be things we don’t routinely ask about that will help us make better recommendations for next steps or that will help us match you to providers or groups that would be a good fit! You should definitely let the counselor know of other things that might help us plan with you for a successful way or ways to address your goals. While initial sessions can feel awkward, especially if this is your first interaction with a mental health provider, lean into your courage and share as openly as you can in this session whatever we may need to know to help you most effectively.
Do I have to take the recommendation of the counselor I speak with?
No. It’s important for you to know that the recommendation is based on the counselor’s best professional judgment, but the final decision is always a collaboration between you and the counselor. Client autonomy is an important value in our work with you.
If referred to individual counseling, can I request to see a specific counselor?
Yes, you can tell the initial counselor if you prefer to meet with a specific counselor. Although every effort will be made to accommodate your request, for a variety of logistical and ethical reasons, this can’t be guaranteed. Both the counselor’s availability and your schedule need to be taken into account, as do possible conflicts of interest of which the counselor may be or become aware. In many cases, the counselor for your initial appointment will not be the one to whom you are assigned. One way to increase the odds of getting the counselor you want or the counselor who will be the best fit for you is to provide us with as many available times for meetings as you can. We understand that you may have many scheduled commitments, but if you give us all the times you are available rather than just your preferred times, there is a much better chance of getting scheduled quickly and with a counselor or group that will be a great fit.
What do I do if I feel I need to talk with a counselor before my scheduled appointment?
If you have an urgent need before you are assigned to a counselor or between sessions, please come to the Wellness Center on the 3rd floor of the Elliot Center and meet with the on-call counselor. If you have an urgent need to speak to someone after normal business hours, you can talk on the phone with a counselor by calling (603)358-2436.
Are these initial meetings confidential?
Yes. All of the information you provide stays in the Counseling Center. However, there are a few rare exceptions, dictated by state or federal law. If you want to know more details about these exceptions before talking with a counselor, go to the confidentiality section of The Wellness Center’s home page and read about the details of our policy.
What happens if I miss my appointment?
We understand that sometimes things happen: you get called to work, you’re sick, a professor schedules a make-up for a missed class. If you’re unable to come to your scheduled appointment for whatever reason, please call the Counseling Center at 358-2200 as soon as you are aware of the conflict and reschedule. Please give us 24 hours notice, if you know in advance that the time won’t work for you, so that we can schedule someone else in your place. Late cancellations and no show appointments are charged a $25 fee, which can be reversed in certain unavoidable cases.
Please feel free to contact us at (603) 358-2200 if you have any other questions or if anything changes for you before your initial appointment. Otherwise, we look forward to having you speak with one of our counselors here in the Wellness Center.
