1 1 LEAD 1200 CRN Student Support Services Workforce Development and Critical Thinking

Counseling Services HCC Counselors are essential to all students’ success. They create relevant opportunities and facilitate the development of desirable student outcomes. Ultimately, our counselors seek to foster academic and personal success within the context of a global and diverse community. 2 Professor Donald P. Linden

Desirable Student Outcomes Personal and Educational Goals Informed Career Choices Engagement in Student Organizations Realistic Self-Appraisal Effective Communication Healthy Behaviors Appreciation for Diversity Meaningful Interpersonal Relationships Spiritual Awareness Social Responsibility 3 Professor Donald P. Linden

HCC Counselors provide the following services Academic Advising Career Counseling Disability Support Services Personal Counseling Student Success Workshops Transfer Advising Degree Plan Completion Transcript Evaluation 4 Professor Donald P. Linden

Types of Counseling Myths about Counseling Academic Counseling Personal Counseling Crisis Counseling 5 Professor Donald P. Linden

Myths about Counseling MYTH 1: Counseling is only for people who have serious emotional problems. FACT: While counseling does deal with people who have emotional problems it can also help:  Students who are trying to figure out what HCC has to offer that will make a difference for them and their families.  Individuals who have difficulty with self-esteem, communication, or assertion.  Individuals having academic problems, difficulty in test-taking and/or test anxiety.  Students having difficulty juggling school, work, and other responsibilities.  Students trying to adjust to their new surroundings. 6 Professor Donald P. Linden

MYTH 2: The counselor will tell you what to do and how to "fix" your problems. FACT: Counseling is not a "quick fix" cure to your problems. The counselor is there to help you clarify your values, to examine your options, and to assist you in developing a plan that if followed could help you achieve the goals you have set. 7 Professor Donald P. Linden Myths about Counseling (Continued)

MYTH 3: Every counselor should answer my question in the same way. FACT: Counselors as other faculty are gifted differently and may have a preferred model of counseling individual students. It is important that you communicate your needs as clearly as possible and be prepared to ask questions if you are unclear about anything that come up in your counseling session. 8 Professor Donald P. Linden Myths about Counseling (Continued)

Academic Counseling HCC Counselors are here to assist you in reaching your academic goals. It does not matter whether you are here to take one class or complete a certificate or a degree we want you to succeed. If you find out that you have been placed on Academic Probation, or Academic Suspension, please see a counselor at the HCC College where you take most of your classes to assist you in making plans to return to good academic standing. 9 Professor Donald P. Linden

Personal Counseling Master’s level counselors at HCC, in addition to academic advising, provide brief counseling to help students define concerns, identify strengths and to develop plans to accomplish selected goals 10 Professor Donald P. Linden

Personal Counseling (Continued) Meeting with a Counselor is an appropriate way to address personal concerns that may be interfering with your academic success. Working together, Counselor and student will determine if student needs can be met through the resources available at HCC, or if an outside referral is necessary. 11 Professor Donald P. Linden

Crisis Counseling A crisis is an acute psychosocial stress response to an overwhelmingly significant event. Individuals in crisis often experience feelings of panic, helplessness, anxiety, and depression. 12 Professor Donald P. Linden

 Crises call for calming, compassionate support - not psychotherapy. Students who experience frequent crises are encouraged to see a counselor to discuss potential stressors and to develop helpful strategies to manage them so that they do not interfere with student engagement and persistence. For immediate crisis help please call any of the numbers below: 13 Professor Donald P. Linden Crisis Counseling (Continued)

Crisis Intervention of Houston: (713) Crisis Intervention (Spanish Line): (713) Crisis Intervention (Teen Line); (713) Texas/United Way Helpline DePelchin Children’s Center: (713) Family Services of Greater Houston: (713) Innovative Alternatives-Bay Area: (832) Jewish Family Service: (713) Montrose Counseling Center: (713) Source: United Way of Greater Houston If you believe someone is at risk of imminent harm to self or other(s), please call HCC Police at (713) or Professor Donald P. Linden Crisis Counseling (Continued)

Advice If you are interested in developing any of the desirable outcomes or receiving any of the services listed above, please contact a counselor at any of the HCC colleges. 15 Professor Donald P. Linden