Counseling Services
Information for Parents
Parents and caregivers of Johnson State College students are sometimes interested in the services we offer at the Counseling Center. We hope we have provided information on this Web site that will answer your questions. If you have questions that are not addressed here, or you would like to consult with one of our counselors, please give us a call at 802-635-1424.
How We Help Students
All currently enrolled students at Johnson State College are eligible for free psychological services at the Counseling Center. Our counselors work with students on managing personal, career and educational concerns which may interfere with their academic progress. We are staffed by one Master’s Level Psychologist and several Graduate-Level Therapists-in-Training who are all committed to providing effective services and promoting the personal growth of Johnson State College students.
Making Appointments
Appointments need to be scheduled by the student him/herself. He or she may call our office at 802-635-1424, or come by the Counseling Center and schedule an appointment with the next available counselor. Students are asked to arrive for their initial appointment approximately 15 minutes early in order to fill out necessary intake information.
About Counseling Sessions
Individual counseling sessions are typically scheduled on the hour and last up to 50 minutes. Counseling can be an opportunity to talk about issues that are of concern to students with an objective person who can help them develop skills and view situations in ways that may enable them to be more effective in managing life’s challenges down the road.
Is Your Student in Distress?
While at Johnson State College, students will be faced with a great many personal, academic, and social stressors. Most will successfully navigate these challenges, while others may experience them as overwhelming and unmanageable. As a result, students may feel fearful, isolated, helpless, and alone.
This distress can negatively impact a student’s academic performance, and lead to disruptive behaviors such as acting out, alcohol/drug abuse, and excessive isolation.
As a parent or caregiver, you are in a unique position. You may be one of the first to recognize when your son/daughter is in distress or crisis. Expressing your interest or concern in you son/daughter’s well being can be critical towards helping him or her get the assistance that is needed. This could save a student’s academic career, and bring tremendous potential to their quality of life.
If Your Student is in Crisis
Occasionally a student may wish to be seen by a counselor immediately due to a personal or situational crisis. We have a psychologist on-call 24 hours a day. If a crisis occurs during business hours, a student may come to the Counseling Center and request to be seen by a counselor. If a crisis occurs after business hours or on a weekend, the student may call the Lamoille County Mental Health Emergency Services at 802-888-4914 and request to speak with the on-call counselor.
Consultation Is Available
If you have questions or concerns about your son/daughter, the counselors at the Counseling Center are available to speak with you. They can assist you in assessing the situation and its seriousness, and in making a referral. A consultation may help you identify ways you can be most effective with your son/daughter, and in locating campus resources that you can suggest to him/her. Please know that if your son/daughter is receiving services at the Counseling Center, we will not be able to provide information about these services due to our adherence to client confidentiality. If your son/daughter feels it would be beneficial to their therapy to permit a conversation between counselor and parent, they may sign the appropriate release forms with their counselor.
Limitations of Our Services
On occasion a student may have needs that are beyond what our agency is designed to offer. These may include chronic or severe mental health problems, or other conditions that may require close monitoring. In such instances, our staff will facilitate obtaining appropriate treatment for the student.