Because Life Just Comes With Challenges
Counseling Overview
YOUR FIRST CONTACT WITH CAPS
Your first contact with one of our counselors is designed to give you a chance to talk about your concerns and begin to collaborate on what may be the best ways to move forward. It is basically an opportunity for us to learn a bit about you and for you to see if you think CAPS may be of any assistance.
At times, everyone feels stressed-out, depressed, angry, anxious, or confused. Sometimes these problems gradually go away on their own or they get better with the support of our friends and family. However, there are other times when these problems can cause major disruptions in our lives and/or they are too difficult to talk about with our family and friends. It is at these times when one should seek out professional help.
In general, counseling is a process where a trained professional helps someone deal with problems related to personal, social, academic, and career concerns. Students collaborate with their therapist to define problems they wish to address and to find solutions to these problems. Although, one's experience in counseling will vary depending on that person's unique goals, some of the things you can expect from counseling include:
- Talking with someone who will listen without criticism or judgment
- Talking with someone who will keep what you say private and confidential
- Establishing a positive, trusting relationship with a professional focused on making meaningful changes in your life
- Learning to gain greater control over your thoughts and feelings
- Identifying your concerns and exploring new ways to deal with them
Most people come to counseling sessions once per week for about 50 minutes. During these sessions, the therapist and student will continuously collaborate on the goals of the student, monitor the progress toward these goals, modify goals if necessary, and work toward positive changes.
The college years are an exciting time, but they can become very stressful. During the college years, students experience numerous personal challenges and are confronted with constant demands for adjustment and change. In addition to the increased academic pressures of college, students have to take on greater personal responsibilities as they become more independent from their parents, deal with new financial expenses, establish new and meaningful relationships, resolve conflicts between their own values and the pressures to be accepted by others, take on new roles, and develop career interests. Coping with all of these things can become very challenging and sometimes the support of a trained professional can be very helpful.
- Achieve more satisfaction in life
- Having a safe place to "vent"
- Increase your self-esteem
- Improve your physical health
- Improve your performance at school
- Gain greater control over your emotions
- Improve your relationships with others
- Identify your abilities, qualities, hopes, and expectations and how to act on these
- Understand how unhelpful patterns and cycles are negatively affecting your life
- Learn new ways to deal with your concerns
- Have someone listen to your concerns with care, confidentiality, and respect.
There are no standard pre-requisites for needing therapy. Our professional staff is available to help with any issues or concerns a student may be having. Some common concerns experienced by students include feeling lonely or homesick, low self-esteem, academic problems, not feeling motivated, problems getting along with others, and decision-making dilemmas. Other reasons to seek help include:
Depression & Other Problems with Mood
- Feeling sad, depressed, or blue
- Having a hard time feeling motivated
- Recurring thoughts of death or suicide
- Feeling more irritable
- Frequent mood swings
Problems with Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Excessive fears (heights, flying, animals)
- Being extremely nervous in public
- Always feeling worried
- Repetitive behaviors (hand washing, checking)
Traumas
- Emotional, sexual, and/or physical abuse
- Experiencing a very frightening event that involved you or someone else
- Feeling like the event still affects you strongly
Loss & Bereavement
- Difficulty dealing with the loss of a loved one
- Guilt and/or sadness
Anger
- Difficulties controlling your temper
- Getting into problems with others
- Feeling "wound up"
Relationship Problems
- Problems with communication
- Interacting in destructive ways
- Recurring conflicts and disagreements
- Loss of interests or not feeling close
Stress
- Feeling worn-out all the time
- Feeling less satisfied
- Muscle stiffness, headaches, stomach aches
- Often feeling "keyed-up" or hostile to others
- Having less patience
Alcohol and Drug Abuse
- Drinking too much or taking drugs
Eating Disorders
- Severe disturbances in eating and diet
- Problems keeping a normal weight
- Binge eating
- Excessive dieting
- Purging behavior (vomiting, laxative use)
- Over-concern with body weight/shape
Sexuality & Identity Issues
- Issues related to sexual orientation
- Issues related to coming out and acceptance
Medical Problems
- Coping with and managing medical problems
- Maintaining better physical health
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Contact Us
Location
221 E. 71st St.
Main Building-3rd Floor
New York, NY 10021
Phone: (212) 774-0727
Fax: (212) 517-0666
Email: counseling@mmm.edu (hyperlinked to email)
Office Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 8 am – 5:30 pm
Wednesday: 8 am – 7 pm
Friday: 8 am – 5 pm
Walk-In Hours
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday: 3 pm – 4 pm
Tuesday & Thursday: 10 am – 11 am
Emergencies:
Dial- 911
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