Counseling Services
MISSION
The office of Counseling Services is committed to helping students reach their highest academic and personal potential. Our aim is to help students fulfill their educational goals with minimal distractions. We realize that students might encounter difficult situations that could impede their academic, personal, and social progress. Our services are designed to help these students address their concerns and increase their self-awareness while empowering them to manage challenging areas in their lives.
FREE SERVICES
Counseling Services are provided free of charge. Services include individual, couple, and group therapy for students. Therapists are also available for workshops and presentations on a variety of psychological issues.
Counselors can offer assistance to students who are experiencing any of the following: sadness, mood swings, fearfulness, thoughts of harming yourself or others, poor concentration, over whelming feelings, recent loss of a loved one or significant other, troubled or abusive relationships, feelings of anxiety, nervousness or tension, poor body image, difficulty adjusting to college life, feelings of low self-esteem, substance abuse, or low self-confidence.
ELIGIBILITY
All currently enrolled students are eligible to receive counseling services. This service provides students with up to ten individual counseling services per academic year.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Professional standards of confidentiality are followed by all counseling staff. Information discussed within a counseling relationship will not be disclosed without written permission of the individual. Rare exceptions to this policy exist when confidential information is needed to protect someone's health or safety, or its release is mandated by law.
PROFESSIONAL STAFF
The counseling staff is comprised of licensed professionals with a variety of experiences, skills, and interests, including counseling, psychology, and social work. All staff members hold Master's degrees in their fields of study, and are trained to assess your individual needs.
APPOINTMENTS
For initial appointments with Counseling Services, students can call 312-369-8700 or stop by our office to schedule a 15 minute phone consultation with a therapist. In most situations students will speak with a therapist within 24 hours, students' schedules permitting.
Phone consultations take place Monday through Friday during morning and evening hours. During the brief phone consultation a therapist will gather information to quickly assess urgency and risk, in addition to matching services based on individual need. The therapist will discuss treatment options and resources available based upon information gathered during the call.
Based upon the initial phone consultation, the therapist will recommend one of the following appointment options:
- Suggest you speak with a therapist immediately
- Suggest you make an intake appointment within 24-72 hours
- Suggest a future intake appointment within a short time frame based upon availability
- Suggest alternative resources off campus in the community
If you need an interpreter for your counseling appointment, please contact Interpreting Services.
EMERGENCIES
Call 911 if you believe there is an immediate threat to an individual or the college community and then notify Campus Security at 312-369-1111.Call the Student Health and Support Intervention Team when:
You observe or speak to a student who is experiencing emotional distress and is in need of immediate attention, for example: a student talking about not being around or giving possessions away; a student expressing self-destructive or homicidal ideation, either verbally or in writing; or a student expressing feelings of hopelessness.
Intervention Team Contact Numbers:
- 312-369-8778 [8am-7pm]
- 312-369-1111 [after 7pm]
- Student Experiencing Difficulties Resource:
- 312-369-8595 [8am-7pm]
- 312-369-1111 [7pm-11pm]
Suicide And Prevention Response Protocol:
FOR PARENTS
The staff at Columbia College Chicago's Counseling Services can provide consultation to parents who may be concerned about their son/daughter emotional well being. If you are concerned about your son/daughter and want to discuss a particular issue, please contact Counseling Services. As a reminder, we are a confidential service and may not be able to disclose information whether or not we are currently meeting with your son/daughter's. We are able to listen to your concerns and assist you in developing a plan to best support your son/daughter.
To contact staff at Columbia College Chicago's Counseling Services please call 312-369-8700 and you will be connected with a therapist.
The Jed Foundation Parent Checklist
Columbia College Chicago Parent Website
Check out Psychobabble, our online newsletter !
FOR FACULTY AND STAFF
The staff of Columbia College Counseling Services can provide consultation to faculty/staff who would like to make a referral to Counseling Services. The professional staff of Counseling Services is also available for classroom presentations; please call 312-369-8700 to schedule an appointment for our staff to visit your classroom.
If you believe a student's behavior is unreasonable, infringes upon or impedes the teaching or learning process; intentionally and unreasonably interferes with normal classroom procedures or presentations of the instructor or student; and/or interferes with other college authorized activity please contact Student Health and Support.
Student Health and Support
Campus Security
Student Experiencing Difficulties Resource
Suicide and Prevention Response Protocol
WHEN AND HOW TO REFER
College students often encounter a great deal of stress during the course of their academic experience. While most students cope successfully with the challenges of college life, an increasing number of students find the various pressures of these challenges unmanageable and unbearable. If you observe or have spoken to a student who is struggling with adjusting to campus life, relationship issues, conflict management, social skills issues, or may appear anxious or depressed you may want to make a referral to Counseling Services.
* Listen- don’t rush to fix, advise, correct, or disagree
* Empathize-reflect what’s heard and what it would be like to be in the student’s situation
* Normalize-refer to the normal needs everyone has during stressful times and acknowledge and discuss the student’s fears and concerns about seeking help
* It is usually best to speak directly to the student in a straightforward fashion
* It is not advisable to attempt to coerce or trick the student into seeking counseling
* Point out that a situation does not have to reach crisis proportions for him/her to benefit from counseling services
* Remind students that the service is free and confidential
* Be specific regarding the behaviors that raise concerns
* The option must be left open for the student to accept of refuse counseling EXCEPT in emergencies (e.g. suicidal or homicidal intent)
* Finally, a follow-up is recommended with the student at a later date to indicate a continued interest, even if he or she did not accept the attempted referral
If that student agrees to the referral, the student may contact Counseling Services by:
Calling: 312-369-8700 or Stopping By: 731 S. Plymouth Ct., Ste. 112
Once a student is in contact with Counseling Services, an initial 15 minute phone consultation with a therapist will be scheduled. In most situations students will speak with a therapist within 24 hours, students' schedules permitting.
Based upon the initial phone consultation, the therapist will recommend one of the following appointment potions:
* Suggest you speak with a therapist immediately
* Suggest you make an intake appointment within 24-72 hours
* Suggest a future intake appointment within a short time frame based upon availability
* Suggest alternative resources off campus in the community
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why would someone seek counseling?
Counseling Services provides psychological support to students who are experiencing emotional difficulties during their time at Columbia College Chicago. There are many reasons why a student may seek counseling; some common reasons are when students experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, difficulties with relationships (peer, romantic, and family of origin), self-esteem, grief and/or academic stress. Remember, counseling is a personal process and this is only a glimpse!
What is a phone consultation?
Your first contact with Counseling Services will be through a 15-minute phone consultation with a licensed clinician. Phone consultatopns take place Monday through Friday during morning and afternoon hours. During the brief phone consultation a therapist will gather information to quickly assess urgency and risk, in addition to matching services based on individual need. The therapist will discuss treatment options and resources available based upon information gathered during the call.
What happens at the first session?
The first session at Columbia College Chicago's Counseling Services is called an intake assessment; when setting up this initial appointment you will be asked to arrive 15-20 minutes early in order to complete paperwork. During the intake assessment information will be gathered about you and your concerns, time will also be spent discussing expectations of therapy and course of treatment.
Why did I receive a referral?
A referral is simply a service provider in the community who may specialize in the area you have identified as an area of concern. The therapy process is based upon a consistent therapeutic relationship and in certain circumstances a community referral will best meet your counseling needs.
What do therapists do?
A therapist will provide a safe place for you to express your thoughts and feelings while working towards your counseling goals. Each session is designed to be "your time" and you determine what areas are explored based on your concerns. Your therapist will assist you in exploring alternative points of view and in identifying potential patterns.
*ONLINE MENTAL HEALTH SCREENINGS*
www.mentalhealthscreening.org/screening/COLUMBIACOLLEGECHIC
*ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES*
Depression/Bipolar/Anxiety Resources
*COUNSELING SERVICES GROUPS & WORKSHOPS*
*2009 FALL WELLNESS SERIES*
STAFF MEMBERS
Jackie Sowinski Hamlett, MS, LCPC (Therapist)
Director of Counseling Services
731 S. Plymouth Court, Main level, Suite 112E
(312)369-7051
Rebecca Aronson, MA, LCPC (Therapist)
731 S. Plymouth Court, Main level, Suite 112A
(312)369-7480
Jeremy Hisaw, MSW, LCSW (Therapist)
731 S. Plymouth Court, Main level, Suite 112A
(312)369-8539
Katy Hartnett, MA, LPC (Therapist)
731 S. Plymouth Court, Main level, Suite 112G
(312)369-6978
Michelle Hein Gomberg, MSW, LCSW (Therapist)
731 S. Plymouth Court, Main level, Suite 112F
(312)369-6979
Marsha Morris, MSW, LCSW (Therapist)
731 S. Plymouth Court, Main level, Suite 112C
(312)369-7662
Ellen Rodman, MS, LCPC (Therapist)
731 S. Plymouth Court, Main level, Suite 112D
(312)369-7128
Debbie A. Curtis
Office Assistant of Counseling Services
731 S. Plymouth Court, Main level, Suite 112
(312)369-8700
Meredith Blackman (Master Level Clinical Intern)
731 S. Plymouth Court, Main level, Suite 112H
(312)369-6977
Joe Dooley (Master Level Clinical Intern)
731 S. Plymouth Court, Main level, Suite 112H
(312)369-6977
Amy Freier (Master Level Clinical Intern)
731 S. Plymouth Court, Main level, Suite 112H
(312)369-6977
Megan Fuller (Master Level Clinical Intern)
731 S. Plymouth Court, Main level, Suite 112H
(312)369-6977