The Counseling Center offers therapeutic services for any students who seek them. Photo by Haley Twist
The transition from high school to college can be a tough one. You’re in a new environment around new students and teachers. You and your best friends have scattered in all sorts of directions to different schools and life paths. In some cases the classes are more than what you might be used to and at first you might struggle with your grades.
Maybe something disruptive is going on with your family. All that change is often enough to overwhelm a person. Luckily, there are resources on campus for students.
From one-on-one counseling to group counseling, UNC Charlotte’s Counseling Center has a lot to offer. Students may be a little apprehensive in going to counseling.
On the contrary, counseling is for everyone from people with moderate stress levels to people with anxiety and trauma issues.
Believe it or not, the school also offers couples counseling for students who attend UNC Charlotte. This makes a lot of sense as young college couples venture forth into the adult world. Like the one-on-one sessions, couples counseling is offered at 12 sessions per person for each academic year.
While group therapy isn’t for everyone, it does have its advantages. It puts you in an environment with people who can relate to you and provides a unique support system. More often than not you’ll end up finding that you’re not alone when it comes to the issues you’ve had to face.
You may be apprehensive about joining group therapy because you’re afraid of being verbally attacked or judged by other member of the group.
Know that group leaders constantly stress the importance of fostering everyone in a safe and comfortable environment. Groups usually consist of six to 10 people along with two trained group therapists.
Not all groups tackle intense issues. Some just focus on meditation, reducing stress and maintaining a calm outlook on life.
This type of group is more for anyone from those feeling like they’ve got too much on their academic plate to people who are trying to balance school with their extracurricular activities.
The Counseling Center is located in the Atkins Library, room 158, by the Belk Tower and is labeled as Building 4B on the UNC Charlotte campus map. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday .
You can reach the Counseling Center by phone at 704-687-0311. It may be hard to take the first step, but it’s well worth it.
Click here for more information on the Counseling Center and the services it offers.