Individual Counseling Services

Individual Counseling Services

Individual counseling is basically a collaborative effort between you and your counselor. Our goal is to provide an open, supportive, and confidential environment for you to address the issues that are concerning you.

Counseling is a process that can help people identify more effective strategies both to cope with difficult situations and to achieve their goals. While some people who seek counseling have chronic emotional difficulties, most are dealing with normal life events and are simply in need of an objective listener – someone who doesn’t judge and who can help them see new alternatives.

Who can benefit from counseling?

Just about anyone can benefit. No problem is too big or small. Listed below are just a few examples of some common concerns which bring students to FSOP:

Symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression
College adjustment issues such as homesickness, academic problems, and long-distance relationships
Interpersonal difficulties, including roommate conflicts, family problems, romantic relationship concerns, problems with assertiveness, and other issues
Bereavement and grief related to the loss of a loved one (such as relationship breakups, deaths, parental divorce, or other major losses)
Questions/confusion about identity, self-image, sexuality, gender, or religious concerns
Concerns about body image, food, eating, or weight, as well as treatment for eating disorders
Experience with sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, abuse, or other trauma
Thoughts of suicide, death, or hurting others
Behaviors that can be harmful to you, like drug or alcohol abuse or cutting

We All Do

When to Seek Counseling

Our counselors are trained to intervene or provide support for a countless number of issues, far too many to list in any comprehensive way. While counseling might be helpful in numerous situations, there are some conditions in which we would strongly encourage you to seek counseling services:

You are unhappy on most days or feel a sense of hopelessness
You worry excessively or are constantly on edge
You are unable to concentrate on your schoolwork or other activities
You are unable to sleep at night or constantly feel tired
You have experienced a change in your appetite or your weight
You have experienced a loss (e.g., a relationship breakup, a parent’s death)
You have increased your use of alcohol or other drugs (including cigarettes)
You feel overwhelmed by what is going on in your life
You are having thoughts about hurting yourself or someone else

Counseling Services

denton As part of the initial interview, you will be asked to complete paperwork which will help us get to know you. Please allow 90 minutes for this first appointment.

During the initial consultation, the counselor will assess your needs and make a treatment plan based on their professional opinion and in collaboration with you. Individual counseling at FSOP might be one of those recommendations.

You and your counselor will work together to decide how frequently and for how long a period it is necessary to meet. In some cases, students are referred to providers outside of FSOP. This decision is made on a case-by-case basis and is determined by the appropriateness of time-limited treatment for your individual situation, our expertise in treating your particular problem, the availability of staff and other resources, and other factors.

Also, if you seek services late in the semester, availability of ongoing services may be more limited.

FSOP Counselors

Counseling services are provided by licensed professional counselors, social workers, license chemical dependency counselors, marriage and family therapists. Services may also be provided by other mental health professionals, some of whom are in training. All professionals-in-training are supervised by licensed staff.

Records

Any information you share during your contacts with FSOP will be treated with the strictest confidentiality as allowed by law. In accordance with ethical and legal standards, this information will not be disclosed to anyone without your written consent, except in very specific circumstances as required by law.
What Happens at the First Appointment (Initial Consultation)?

When you call or stop by FSOP, you will be offered the first available appointment that matches your schedule. If you have particular counselor preferences, this might increase the time you have to wait for your first appointment. This first session, an initial consultation, will usually be scheduled within a few days to a week or so. (Please note that if you are in need of immediate help, inform our staff so that we can connect you to the appropriate FSOP resources immediately.) When you schedule your first appointment, you will be asked your name, phone number, and whether you have been to FSOP in the past. The total time period required for the initial consultation or intake appointment is approximately 90 minutes, so be sure to keep this in mind when scheduling your appointment.

It is essential that you arrive promptly for your first appointment in order to allow sufficient time to complete the necessary paperwork. If you are more than 15 minutes late for your first appointment, you will be asked to reschedule. The initial paperwork includes a demographic and clinical history form, a consent to treatment, and a scheduling form. You also will be given a handout about Client Rights and Responsibilities . Once you have completed all of the paperwork, you will be asked to have a seat in our waiting room.

The purpose of this first session is for your intake counselor to obtain information about your current concerns, relevant history, and goals. Your counselor should also review relevant FSOP policies and procedures, such as confidentiality. At the end of the appointment, you and your intake counselor will determine an appropriate course of action. This plan might include subsequent sessions with one of the FSOP counselors, participation in a FSOP group or class, referral to an off-campus provider to better meet your needs, or any one of our other many services.

Personal one on one counseling. $50 per one-hour session