Services

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What is Counseling all about?

Counseling involves a collaborative relationship between the individual and the counselor. This dialogue aids in expanding self-awareness, identifying existing skills, learning new skills, and increasing understanding of situations, conflicts, people and choices. Counseling is a confidential process. Information you share in counseling will not be disclosed outside of the Center without your written permission (except when a failure to disclose could result in physical harm to you or others). Also, your records are not included in any of your official educational records.
Why consider Counseling?
Each of us will occasionally have concerns that bring about questions and conflicts. Some of these may cause us emotional stress or make it difficult to function as well as we would like. Reasons to seek counseling include, but are not limited to:
- Feeling lonely, alienated and isolated
- Finding direction and purpose
- Transition and life issues (e.g. separation, divorce, relocation)
- Relationships (e.g. families, friends, co-workers )
- Feelings of anxiety or depression
- Grief or loss
- Trauma (e.g. sexual assault, accident, catastrophic incidents)
- Drug/alcohol concerns
- Self-esteem
- Eating habits and patterns
- Academic difficulties
- Enhancing motivation and work performance
Who is eligible?

Counseling Center services are available to all UNF students enrolled in the current semester. Counseling services are voluntary, confidential and free of charge.
The Initial Session

Your first meeting with a counselor is a screening session. This is an opportunity for you to share your concerns and provide background information. This information will help the Center staff to match you with the most appropriate counselor for your needs. At the conclusion of your screening session,your counselor will tell you when to contact the Center to schedule an appointment with your assigned counselor. Counselor assignments are generally made within three days of your screening session.
Confidentiality
Information shared with your counselor will not be disclosed to anyone outside the Center's professional staff without your written permission, except when:
1. Doing so might result in physical harm to yourself or others,
2. Case records are subpoenaed by a court of law, or
3. Child or elder abuse is suspected which must be reported as required by Florida law.
How to make an appointment?

Call the Counseling Center at (904) 620-2602 or visit us at Building 2, Room 2300. Our office staff will help you make an appointment with a staff counselor as soon as possible.
Individual Counseling

The Counseling Center offers brief counseling for students on a one-to-one basis. Your counselor will help you identify specific goals, in keeping with your primary concerns. Fifty minute sessions are scheduled weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or as needed.
Groups

Each semester the Counseling Center offers a wide variety of opportunities to enhance your college experience through working with others in a group. Knowledgeable therapists facilitate the group experience by creating an atmosphere of safety and respect that is conducive to learning and personal growth. Each semester, group programs that cover topics relevant to your success as a college student will be offered.

For further information go to Groups.
Medical Consultation/Assessment

This service is available to students whose presenting issues suggest that evaluation by a medical professional would be appropriate or helpful. When medically necessary, a student may be given a prescription for medication to treat their clinical symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety). Often, students are encouraged to participate in counseling in addition to taking medication.
Personality Testing
The Center offers the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), a psychological instrument for personality testing. This is available for individual, classroom or small group interpretations. A nominal fee is charged for scoring.

Based on the assessment, individuals will receive a four letter "type" designation and explanation of their personality type. The MBTI is most commonly used to increase people's understanding of:
- Individual differences
- Interpersonal relationships
- Communication styles
- Leadership abilities
- Learning styles
- Career choices
Resources for Relaxation and Meditation

The center has more than 40 audiotaped programs available for student use.
Outreach Services

The Counseling Center conducts seminars, workshops and presentations for student groups, classes, residence halls and other departments on campus on a variety of mental health related topics. Some of these include stress management, dating relationships, eating issues, international student support, body image issues and drug and alcohol concerns. If you or your department would like to request an outreach presentation, contact: Liza Provenzano, Coordinator of Outreach and Consultation at (904) 620-2602.