Counseling Services
The mission of Counseling Services is to support students in improving their performance in all areas of college life. Counseling Services is committed to facilitating the enhancement of the mental health, interpersonal relationships, and academic performance of all SJC students. To this end, the Director of Counseling Services is aware of the special concerns of SJC students and is sensitive to race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religious preference, and disabilities. Counseling Services also provides crisis intervention and offers consultation on matters related to student development and psychological well being.
The counselor's office is in the Johnson Health and Wellness Center, located on the first floor of Schwietermann. To schedule an appointment, call 219-866-6116 between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. You may also come by and make an appointment in person. Sometimes it is possible to meet with the counselor without an appointment; just walk in and ask the receptionist if the counselor is available. If you can't be seen immediately, you will be able to schedule the next available appointment.
Why Meet with a Counselor?
Typical concerns of students who seek counseling include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Uncertainty about values and goals
- Unhappiness with transition and change
- Troubled relationships
- Issues of grief and loss
- Problems of motivation
- Difficulties in concentration
- Sexual concerns; sexual orientation issues
Confidentiality
Counseling services at SJC are confidential. No information will be released to College faculty, staff, family, or others without the student's written permission to do so.
There are three exceptions to confidentiality:
- If, in the judgment of the counselor, you are in danger of seriously harming yourself or others
- If current child abuse or elder abuse is suspected
- In rare circumstances, if a court order is issued for information required for legal proceedings
State laws require that counseling records are maintained in the counselor's office and destroyed seven years after the final contact. The fact that a student sought counseling at SJC does not appear on academic transcripts.
Individual Counseling
We understand counseling to be a collaborative experience in which the student and the counselor actively seek to establish new and more effective patterns of thinking and feeling. Counseling is successful to the extent that the student is able to develop more resilience in coping with problems, a higher level of competence in all areas of life, and the increased confidence that comes from increased independence.
Counseling sessions are typically scheduled as 50-minute meetings and are limited to 12 sessions per academic year. Group counseling may also be available.
Counseling Services are available to all enrolled Saint Joseph’s students without extra charges. We do not provide counseling to SJC staff or faculty members. We can, however, meet with non-student SJC personnel to aid in the process of finding an appropriate community referral.
To make an appointment, contact us at (219) 866-6116.
Urgent Counseling
Urgent appointments can be made between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm or otherwise when the counselors are available. Call Counseling Services at extension 6116 and let the receptionist know that you need to talk with the counselor as soon as possible. An appointment will be arranged for you.
For after-hours and weekend emergencies during the academic year, call Security and Safety at 219-866-6129 (from an on-campus phone, simply dial 6129 or "1").
It is important to know that the College does not provide emergency psychological aid at all times.
