Counseling Services

FAQs

• Why seek counseling?

  It is not unusual for a student to feel anxious seeking counseling!

  Our students encounter a variety of challenges as they transition and move through their college experience. You don’t have to be in crisis or have a mental illness to benefit from counseling.

  We are equipped to help you navigate adjusting to campus life, homesickness or loneliness, relationship difficulties, family problems, academic performance, attention and learning problems, sexuality issues, anxiety, stress, worry, depression, eating problems, sexual assault or abuse, and alcohol/drug abuse. 

• How long is an appointment, and how often can I meet with a Counselor?

  Counseling appointments can range from 30 to 50 minutes.

  Typically students meet with Counselors weekly for up to 6 sessions a semester.

• How long do I have to wait for an appointment?

  If it is an emergency you will be seen immediately.

  If you are experiencing a crisis, you will be seen within 1-2 days.

  For an initial appointment you will typically meet with a counselor in approximately 1-2 weeks.

• Why seek counseling?

  It is not unusual for a student to feel anxious seeking counseling!

  Our students encounter a variety of challenges as they transition and move through their college experience. You don’t have to be in crisis or have a mental illness to benefit from counseling.

  We are equipped to help you navigate adjusting to campus life, homesickness or loneliness, relationship difficulties, family problems, academic performance, attention and learning problems, sexuality issues, anxiety, stress, worry, depression, eating problems, sexual assault or abuse, and alcohol/drug abuse. 

• How long is an appointment, and how often can I meet with a Counselor?

  Counseling appointments can range from 30 to 50 minutes.

  Typically students meet with Counselors weekly for up to 6 sessions a semester.

• How long do I have to wait for an appointment?

  If it is an emergency you will be seen immediately.

  If you are experiencing a crisis, you will be seen within 1-2 days.

  For an initial appointment you will typically meet with a counselor in approximately 1-2 weeks.

• Are sessions confidential?

  For counseling to be effective, students must trust that the information they share at MC will be kept strictly confidential.

  Any information disclosed during your contacts with MC, or records maintained in written and/or electronic form, will be kept strictly confidential as required by State and Federal law, and by applicable ethical standards.

  Your written permission is required before any information about your contacts with MC is released to anyone outside of MC. According to current Illinois law, there are a few exceptions to the above rules of confidentiality and disclosure. Counselors are required by state law to report any instance of suspected child abuse to appropriate agencies.  

  Counselors also have a duty to take action if they conclude that a student intends to harm him/herself or another person. Finally, if a student cites counseling records in any lawsuit, MC may be required to release information related to your lawsuit. In all cases, your counselor will make every effort to resolve these issues with you before any action is taken.

  Please keep in mind that due to the non-secure nature of e-mail, the MC Counseling Services staff cannot ensure the confidentiality of such communication. Please use discretion when sending information that is sensitive in nature. Also, please note that we do not maintain 24-hour access to e-mail or cell phone accounts.

• How is mental wellness promoted on campus?

  The student-led organization Mindful Monmouth helps provide a variety of events on campus to encourage students to prioritize their self-care and mental wellness, as well as help reduce the stigma of mental illness.

  The Counseling Center also works with the Psychology Department in helping provide Peer Educators who have been trained to be a listening ear for students if they need someone to vent to about their struggles.