Student FAQs

1. Who uses the counseling center?
About 10% of students make counseling appointments each year. By the time students graduate, one in five has used the counseling service.

2. Why do students typically come to the counseling center?
Students' most frequent complaints are feeling depressed or unhappy; having relationship problems; or feeling anxious and uncertain about the future.

3. If I see a counselor, will I have to keep making appointments for a long time?
The number of times students return to the counseling center is determined by the student and the counselor. Many students feel better after talking to a counselor the first time, and do not return for a second visit. The majority of students comes for about 5 sessions. Sessions can be scheduled weekly, monthly, or at any frequency that makes sense to the student and the counselor.

4. Is counseling REALLY confidential?
It is against the law for the counseling service to reveal information about the people who seek counseling services. If a parent calls the counseling center and asks, "Is my son coming to the counseling center?" we say, "I'm sorry, that's confidential information." We do not give information to professors or any other campus staff--not even the President!

Please feel free to discuss any concerns you have about confidentiality with any member of the counseling staff.

5. Does counseling really help?
The majority of students who come to the counseling center report that counseling has helped them to sort out their problems and improve the way they feel about their situation.

6. Why are there different counselors every year?
The counseling center is staffed by graduate students in their last years of training. The experience they gain at Whittier College is a valuable part of their education. They are required to work under the close supervision of a licensed psychologist, our Director. After their time here, they typically graduate and go on to jobs or further postdoctoral training. The Director has been at Whittier College since 2006, and sets the standard of service for the center.