Indian Trail Academy

This year Mr. Anderson has changed positions from the communication counselor to Student Support Counselor. Instead of usual counseling services, such as helping with registration and working with students on schedule changes, Mr. Anderson is now focusing on the students and their problems, so he is more of a personal counselor and less academic. His office is now located in the Dean Suite, room 1141, so he can be available when students are brought in to the Dean’s office and they need to talk to someone immediately. One immediate benefit of this position is the ability to calm down students before they get themselves in more trouble. Mr. Anderson is a counselor, not a dean, and he is available whenever anyone has a problem. All the information you share is still confidential.

Mr. Anderson: Office 1141, Voice box number: 1141, Email Address: eanderso@kusd.edu.

A GUIDE FOR FINDING PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING SERVICES

The information here is designed for everyone: teacher, parent, student or any individual who has made the decision to start counseling. Once this decision has been made, the issue of finding the right professional becomes very important. It is our hope that the guidelines presented here will lessen your anxiety about finding the right counselor and result in a more positive experience for you.

A variety of professionals are qualified to provide counseling services depending on the type of problems you are experiencing:

Psychiatrists	Psychologists	Counselors
Social Workers	Alcohol and Drug Counselors

Selecting a Counselor Perhaps the best place to start the selection process is to ask family members, relatives, close friends, your physician, a teacher, clergy or someone else you trust. Ask them what they liked and disliked about counseling. Who do they recommend? Many people will turn to the yellow pages to find what resources are available. When you call a counselor or counseling agency, remember that you are the consumer and have the right to ask questions to gain as much information as possible prior to making an appointment.

What to Ask

Is the individual and/or agency licensed by the state to provide outpatient mental health services?
Who will I see?
What degree do they hold?
What type of certification do they have?
Do they have training/experience in treating the kind of problems I am experiencing?
Do they have an area of specialization?
Are they comfortable working with spouses, children, parents or other family members if needed?
Are evening or Saturday appointments available?
How soon can I schedule an appointment?
How often will I be seen?
What is the fee?
Can they bill your health insurance?
Or if you do not have mental health coverage, do they have a sliding fee scale?

During your first visit, you may be asked to fill-out several forms including family information and a fee agreement. You should also receive a form explaining your rights as a client. The first session typically involves an explanation of how the counselor/therapist works, gathering background information, an in-depth discussion of the problems you are experiencing and an initial plan of treatment. A session will usually last between 45 and 60 minutes.

Did I feel comfortable?
Did I feel the counselor was easy to talk to?
Did the counselor seem to understand my situation?
Was I honest about the issues or problems that led me to seek help?
Did I express my expectations for counseling?
Do I understand my rights as a client including the right to confidentiality?

At the end of your first session or at the beginning of the second meeting, make sure you ask any questions you have or voice anything you're disappointed about. This is essential to a good working relationship. If you believe this is not the right person for you then you will want to look elsewhere.

A counselor is both a client advocate and an agent of change. This means that you might be confronted on your behavior/actions on the one hand and supported or encouraged to look at making positive choices on the other hand. Since a counselor is a change agent, very few people go for help hoping to keep everything the same! Counseling is not about changing other people in your life. Counseling is about making changes in your own life. Change can be painful and difficult at times but a competent counselor can guide you through this process. Everyone can benefit from counseling at one time or another whether it is in the form of advice and support from a close friend or from a professional. There is nothing wrong in asking for help; rather than being a sign of weakness, it is a sign of strength.

Counseling Services