Services are free of charge to any Houghton College student (nominal fees may be charged for special services or testing). The Counseling Center provides individual and group counseling services to students who wish to discuss a wide variety of personal concerns.

The services of the Counseling Center are used by more than 20% of Houghton College students each year. The length of time a student spends in counseling varies, but the majority of students are seen on a "short term" basis (3 to 8 sessions or less). Individual counseling sessions are normally planned weekly and usually last about fifty minutes.

How can I use these services?
Simply stop in or call extension 6220 and tell the receptionist what type of assistance you need. You will receive instructions about how to make an appointment. If educational or career planning is a concern, a staff member will talk with you specifically and decide which of our career services is best suited to your needs.

Our Counseling Center is a service for the currently enrolled students of Houghton College. Due to time and staff limitations, we are not able to extend services outside our student population. For links to counselors in your area, please click here. Resources & Self Help.

What about the counselors?
Staff counselors are professionals with graduate degrees in counseling, psychology, or social work. Each staff person is committed to applying Christian principles as a foundation for their work with students. Counselors at the college recognize that there is no healing apart from the work of God. They understand their discipline and, at the same time, understand the work of grace in each person's life. The Center is also used for the training of graduate interns for the counseling profession and are closely supervised by a doctoral-level staff counselor who is responsible for the intern's work with students.
   >> More information about our staff.

What about confidentiality?
We do not, except in emergency situations, communicate with anyone about your counseling. Emergencies usually fall into one of two categories. 1) immediate danger (threat to life or bodily harm) to yourself, and 2) immediate danger to another. A third, although extremely unlikely, possibility requiring a release of information would be a court order. In any of these instances we will make every effort to inform you prior to communicating any information to a parent, college administrator, or court officer. Violations of community standards are not considered emergency situations.

Sometimes counselors get "stuck," and in certain situations your counselor may wish to consult with another counselor or health professional. It is not necessary to reveal your identity in such a situation and this is considered a "normal operating procedure" in counseling centers. It is for the purpose of providing you with the best possible service available and is not a violation of confidentiality. Whenever possible, you will be informed of this first. Should you leave to go to another counselor, we will be happy to send a professional report to such a person upon your request.

Consultations and Referrals
If you are concerned about a friend who may need help, you can discuss this with a counselor. You will not be asked to reveal the identity of your friend. A brief consultation at such a time may be just what you need to decide how best to help your friend. A counselor can often assist you with ideas about suggesting counseling to a friend or about handling a difficult situation. Students are often "relieved" after these consultations and are grateful for this type of assistance.

Additional Resources Available Through The Counseling Center
The Counseling Center offers several group opportunities each year. These are advertised on campus as they occur. Counseling Center staff are also available to lead small discussions or seminars for your dorm floor or hall covering many of the topics listed in the next section. The Center also houses a small library of paperbacks, brochures, cassettes, and videotapes on topics of interest to students. Stop in or call the receptionist at extension 6220 for more information about any of the above.

What Problems Do Students Talk About?
Students come to counseling for a number of reasons, but mostly because they are temporarily "stuck" in the middle of working out a personal problem. Being stuck usually relates to several common themes: family, friends, spirituality, intimacy, sexuality, managing depression and anxiety, decision making, and problem behaviors. Examples of topics from discussions with students in the past are:

 Contact Us
Location: Reinhold Campus Center
Phone: 585.567.9622
E-mail: counselingservices

Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Emergency: Call for instructions 24 hour/day