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, 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.
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, learning skills, and getting support. 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.
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 you a variety of personal questions about you and your current concern. However, you should also make sure to inform them of any other things that may be important to you or that would be helpful for the counselor to know about you so that we can effectively plan the next best steps that would be helpful to you. To make sure the counselor can be the most help to you at this key stage, it will be important to be as forthright and open as possible about yourself and your concerns during your initial discussion.
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.
If referred to individual counseling, can I request to see a specific counselor?
Yes, you can tell the initial counselor of your preference to meet with a specific counselor. Every effort will be made to accommodate your request, but it can’t be guaranteed. Both the counselor’s availability and your schedule need to be taken into account. In many cases, the counselor you meet with for your initial appointment may not be the one you are assigned to.
What do I do if I feel I need to talk with a counselor before my scheduled appointment?
If you feel you are in crisis, please come to the Wellness Center on the 3rd floor of the Elliot Center and we will implement our walk in procedure to find the most appropriate appointment for you. 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 Wellness Center. However, there are exceptions, particularly when someone’s life might be in danger. If you want to know more details about these exceptions before talking with a counselor, go to our website at www.keene.edu/counseling and read the section on Confidentiality on the home page.
What happens if I miss my appointment?
We understand that sometimes things happen: you get called to work, you’re sick. If you’re unable to come to your scheduled appointment for whatever reason, please call the Wellness Center at 603-358-2200 and reschedule. If you know in advance that the time won’t work for you, we’d appreciate a call so that we can schedule someone else in your place.
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.
