What are Personal Counseling Services?
Personal Counseling at Merced College offers
confidential and brief counseling in a private and comfortable setting. Services are provided at the Merced and Los Banos
campuses during the Fall and Spring semesters.
Our counselors are professionally trained and can assist you
in exploring ways of coping with difficulties, feeling less “stressed
out,” down, or sad.
Examples of Counseling Services Available:
Adjusting
to College Life
Dealing
with Anxiety or Depression
Assisting
with Family Problems which interfere with school, including spousal abuse
Dealing
with Frustration or Anger
Substance Abuse
Referrals
Relationship Issues
Referrals to Community Resources
Frequently Asked Questions about Personal Counseling
"Why is there a Personal Counseling Program on campus?”
Discussing personal situations
with friends, family, and others can be helpful, but sometimes these people care
so much about your well-being that they become over-involved and lose their
objectivity. The personal counseling staff may offer a different perspective and
help develop new strategies and solutions.
“Aren’t most people who seek personal counseling ‘sick’ or ‘crazy’”?
Certainly not! Most students who come for counseling desire personal growth
and are responding to changes in their lives. Contrary to old-fashioned beliefs,
the staff views the seeking of professional assistance as a sign of personal
strength.
“Who are the students who come for personal counseling?”
Students utilizing our services reflect the diversity of Merced College.
Thus, we see a broad spectrum of students of all ages and ethnic groups at every
level of academic standing.
“What kinds of problems do students come in with?”
Problems in managing: FEELINGS such as depression, anxiety, anger,
loneliness, low self-esteem, or hopelessness; RELATIONSHIPS with parents,
spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends, or friends; BEHAVIORS like eating habits or
substance abuse; and ACADEMIC situations like test anxiety, procrastination,
time management, or career confusion.
All counseling services are confidential.
Services
are available during the Fall and
Spring semesters to currently enrolled students, who
have paid the Health fee.
For more information
or to schedule an appointment drop by the Student Health Services office or
call:
Merced campus - (209) 384-6045
Los Banos campus - (209) 826-3495 ext. 6423 or (209) 381-6423.
If you are off campus
or after hours and need immediate assistance call:
Merced County Mental Health 24hr Crisis Line - 381-6800
or
National Crisis Hotline - 1-800-784-2433
or 911
This page last reviewed on
March 12, 2009
