Counselling - Student Counseling
Student Counseling at The Daly College
Introduction
The Daly College Student Counseling services provide confidential help and support to students, parents and caregivers, free of charge. We aim to assist a person cope more effectively with any personal problems or emotional difficulties that he or she may be facing. Counseling gives one an opportunity to talk with a trained professional, who can offer support and a new perspective to ones problems. Our counselor is highly qualified with advanced degrees from top institutions and has many years of experience working with students as well as adults. She is also well versed with the latest research and international developments in this field.
Why Counseling Works?
1. Counseling offers the opportunity for an individual to explore personal issues in a private setting with someone who has no role in the individual’s life. While it is not a magic wand or an instant cure, and takes time and effort to be effective, counseling can clarify problems and help in his resolution. The counselor will be able to help an individual think about a problem from a different perspective or view point.
2. Counselors are trained to be non-judgmental, reflective, objective and respectful of individual differences. Therefore talking with them offers a psychological space that friends or family cannot usually provide. Counselors also have expertise on a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties that helps them provide effective professional support.
3. It doesn’t matter how big or small a problem is. The ‘severity’ of a problem is relative - counseling is valid whether a concern is minimal or overwhelming. Sometimes the smallest of emotional issues, if dealt with properly under the guidance of a professional counselor, can be prevented from exploding into bigger issues later on.
4. Lastly, talking, especially to a neutral person, does help.
Therefore, any problem, no matter how big or small, can be discussed in counseling.
How Does Counseling Work ?
The aim of Counseling is to listen to an individual’s personal and emotional problems in order to provide support. Counselors don’t ever give advice, as the purpose of counseling is to help you make your own decisions. Counselors will never make a moral decision about the course of action a person should take.
Counselors may offer pointers to how others have successfully dealt with common problems and may also make suggestions of the “have you thought of the following” variety. These suggestions are drawn from their training in what is helpful and from their experience of what has helped others in the past. These suggestions can of course be rejected by the person (known as ‘client’ in counseling terms), if they feel that the suggestions are unhelpful.
Some Misconceptions
1. Some people sometimes fear that the counselor may judge them negatively. However, this is far from the truth. When something goes wrong, it is usually because we are pushing ourselves too hard; because we are in a muddle for reasons we don’t fully understand or because we are suffering from some form of mental distress which is distorting our view of reality. Therefore judging clients is neither helpful nor relevant; in fact it is counter-productive because the more open a person is about his issues, the faster he can be assisted in finding a way out of his problem.
2. Seeking counseling also does not mean that a person is mentally weak or admitting failure. In fact it can be seen as a matter of strength to ask for counseling. All great people have stumbled at some point in their life and asking for help is the best way to get back on your chosen path in life. We all make mistakes. The important this is to learn from them. Needing support is a normal part of this process.
Many people think that they are being strong in not seeking help, but that only increases stress in their lives. We feel that it takes courage to admit to one’s difficulties and ask for help. Asking for counseling often means a person has taken the first difficult step on the road to resolving the problem and leading a more successful life.
Duration
The duration of counseling varies on a case-by-case basis and usually depends on the individual seeking counseling. Some students attend only once and find that sufficient for their requirements. Others may need several sessions or return at different points throughout their academic careers. Every person’s particular situation is unique and we are there to support him.
What we offer ?
We have, over the years, helped numerous students and their parents, successfully cope with typical student issues and concerns such as:
- a) Academic pressure
- b) Problems with concentration
- c) Panic attacks
- d) Family and relationship difficulties
- e) Eating disorders
- f) Issues with self-esteem and confidence
- g) Depression, anxiety and bereavement
- h) Bullying
Our highly qualified and experienced professional practices with the highest standards professional conduct.
Sometimes there isn’t any specific problem, yet the person feels unhappy or confused and may want to talk about it. Our counseling services give him a secure environment to understand whether there is any root cause for their state. Nipping problems in the bud early, no matter how small and insignificant ensures that our students and parents have a happy and fulfilling life ahead. You don’t have to be in a crisis or at the end of your tether before you ask for help.
How Confidential is Counseling !
At The Daly College, we observe a strict Code of Ethics. Our counseling services adhere to the highest standards of professional ethics. This means that everything you say is kept confidential to the counseling service unless there is clear evidence that someone may be at a severe risk. This means we do not disclose verbal or written information about the client to others without his or her consent.
The Counseling Centre at Daly College is one more step towards maintaining our desire tobuild the self esteem of each individual.
Student counselor: Mrs. Mridulika Agrawal
Support counselor: Dr. Shantanu Maitra