Spring Break
Counseling Services: Somebody to lean on
Kimberly Tsao
Issue date: 5/13/09 Section: Features
"I couldn't call say, Child Protection Services, and say, 'Oh, a student wants to have an abortion and they're going to harm their fetus,'" she said. "I mean, I can't. They'd think I was nuts, you know, because it's not a reportable offense."
She added that therapy is not "a social-control agent."
"It's not for us to say what they can and cannot do," she said. "That's not what therapy is. Therapy is to help students decide. People decide for themselves what they want to do."
Every semester, including summer and winter sessions, Brandewie said students are limited to six sessions with licensed counselors but are granted eight sessions with trainees. The latter, she said, are videotaped, but destroyed afterward.
She said they also do consultations with fraternities, sororities and housing. Counseling services holds workshops on dealing with stress and relationships.
"I think outside workshops are very hard to find sometimes, and when they are, they are charged - so I think cost - cost would make a difference," she said.
In addition, the center assigns one licensed counselor and one backup to be on call every day in case of a crisis during the center's hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays, she said. The center also has an after-hours emergency nurse that students can call.
Brandewie said Counseling Services could even refer students to health insurance companies and to places that could provide food, clothing, shelter and information on parenting and adoption. Sivertsen said they can't drive pregnant students anywhere, though.
"But if they had to go to a facility, we'd talk about finding somebody that's a friend who would take them or even a family member," Sivertsen said.
The center employs nine full-time counselors, three educational counselors, two post-doc residents, two psychiatrists and six interns, who are mostly women, Sivertsen said. She said there were 80 students on the wait list earlier this semester.
She added that therapy is not "a social-control agent."
"It's not for us to say what they can and cannot do," she said. "That's not what therapy is. Therapy is to help students decide. People decide for themselves what they want to do."
Every semester, including summer and winter sessions, Brandewie said students are limited to six sessions with licensed counselors but are granted eight sessions with trainees. The latter, she said, are videotaped, but destroyed afterward.
She said they also do consultations with fraternities, sororities and housing. Counseling services holds workshops on dealing with stress and relationships.
"I think outside workshops are very hard to find sometimes, and when they are, they are charged - so I think cost - cost would make a difference," she said.
In addition, the center assigns one licensed counselor and one backup to be on call every day in case of a crisis during the center's hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays, she said. The center also has an after-hours emergency nurse that students can call.
Brandewie said Counseling Services could even refer students to health insurance companies and to places that could provide food, clothing, shelter and information on parenting and adoption. Sivertsen said they can't drive pregnant students anywhere, though.
"But if they had to go to a facility, we'd talk about finding somebody that's a friend who would take them or even a family member," Sivertsen said.
The center employs nine full-time counselors, three educational counselors, two post-doc residents, two psychiatrists and six interns, who are mostly women, Sivertsen said. She said there were 80 students on the wait list earlier this semester.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Neil signo
posted 6/19/09 @ 10:41 PM PST
There's a reason why people dont get jobs until after high school. They ( county child welfare rights services) know its one more thing to do, means you cant do homework or get rested. (Continued…)
youparttime guys
posted 6/29/09 @ 8:47 AM PST
I am wondering about the high school teacher. The person clearly said:
1. Harvard was in walking distance from my home in the 1960's.
2. I am a Electrical Engineer. (Continued…)
San Diego Movers
posted 7/03/09 @ 7:03 AM PST
It's always good to have some sort of support group so you can talk out your problems with people you can trust.
counseling services
posted 7/27/09 @ 10:56 AM PST
Respecting culture, religious beliefs and other peoples views are an important sensitivity for counselors.
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