Counseling Appointments - Houghton College

Counseling Services

We want you to feel comfortable as you start your counseling journey with us. If you have any questions that aren't answered here, please let us know so we can talk through it together.

To schedule appointments with the Counseling Center stop into the Center for Student Success or email us at CounselingServices@Houghton.edu

Should I see a counselor?

If you are asking this question, you are probably struggling with a specific concern, or a variety of concerns and you probably could benefit from talking with someone who can assist you in figuring things out.

College Response online screening for depression, alcohol, and eating disorders can help you decide whether a consultation with one of our counselors would be helpful.

Free Confidential Online Screening

How do I make an appointment?

Stop into the Center for Student Success to complete our initial intake form or email us at counselingservices@Houghton.edu and request the link to complete the intake form.

You will be contacted with an appointment time. In most non-emergency cases, we can fit students into the schedule within the week.

Let someone in our office know if you are experiencing a mental health emergency.

How long will it take?

Appointments are usually scheduled either weekly or biweekly, and last about 50 minutes.

Many clients benefit from a single counseling session. For more complex concerns, you may choose to meet for more sessions with your counselor. Most students in our Center average between 3 and 8 sessions. At any time, you are welcome to return for further help with the same or a new situation.

What happens in counseling?

You will connect with one of our trained counselors who will listen to your concerns, and work with you to:

Define and clarify your problem(s)
Explore the possibilities that exist for change
Develop a strategy for action

Don’t expect…

Ann Landers “expert” advice
Things to do to get better immediately
Your counselor to tell you what to do – “shoulds” or “musts” about your behavior

Do expect…

Clues to better coping
Support and guidance to make sometimes difficult changes
To speak honestly about your state of mind, feelings and disappointments
Caring, gentle challenge without any judgment

Can I bring a friend?

Counseling sessions are normally most effective on a one to one basis. However, in certain cases students are more comfortable bringing a friend to support them in the initial stages of counseling. Simply request this when you complete your intake.

About Confidentiality...

What you share with the counselor will be held in confidence, unless you give your counselor permission to discuss it with others. This is the case except for incidents of suspected abuse of children or elderly persons, or when you present a serious danger to yourself or others, or in the extremely unlikely event that records are requested by a court of law. You will be asked to sign a specific release form before any information is provided to outside parties.