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.

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
In order to receive counseling, students may call the office to schedule an appointment or walk in. Student referrals from peers, facility or staff are also welcomed.

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, overwhelming 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 and alcohol abuse, or low self-confidence.

Are you concerned about your eating habits?

Do you wonder if you have an eating disorder? Would you like to take a free, anonymous screening for eating disorders? Click here to participate.
 
You will need a password; the password is: COLUMBIACOLLEGECHIC

Suicide Hotline - 1-800-273-TALK

Web address: http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/suicideprevention/concerned.asp

More Resource Links

Do you have questions about mental health, depression, prescription drugs, substance abuse, or how to help a friend who is struggling with these issues? Use these links for a mental health library, prescription drug database, anonymous Q&A, and suicide prevention information.

www.ulifeline.org

Mental Help Net
www.mentalhelp.net

National Mental Health Association
www.nmha.org
 
Depression

National Depressive and Manic Depressive Association
www.ndmda.org

Other Links

The National Institutes of Mental Health
www.nih.gov

STAFF MEMBERS

Jackie Sowinski Hamlett, MS, LCPC (Therapist)
Director of Counseling Services
731 S. Plymouth Court, Main level, Suite 112E
(312)369-7051