Considering Therapy

There are many reasons a person would seek counseling.  Below are some frequent questions one might ask when considering therapy.  Bear in mind, you don't have to have a specific reason for seeking counseling.  Our counselors are here to help identify concerns and assess options in dealing with these concerns.

What are the reasons students seek counseling?

In general people have come to counseling because they want to feel better about themselves or their relationships with others.  Some specific reasons include:

• Stress
• Depression or anxiety
• Procrastination or academic difficulties
• Relationships with family and friends
• Loneliness and shyness
• Self-confidence concerns
• Alcohol and other drug issues
• Sexuality
• Eating or sleeping issues
• Crisis or trauma
• Loss or difficult transitions

Often, people enter counseling with undefined concerns -- just a sense that things aren't quite right.  This is a perfectly acceptable reason to enter therapy; discussing this with a counselor can give you clarity.

How do I know if I should talk to a therapist?

At times, everyone feels stressed out, depressed, anxious, angry or confused.  Often talking to a good friend or relative can help.  However, there are times when feeling are not easy to resolve, when our usual ways of handling problems aren't working as well, and we end up feeling overwhelmed.

Consider seeking therapy if:

• You feel a prolonged sense of helplessness and sadness
• You worry excessively, expect the worst or are constantly on edge 
• You are finding it difficult to carry out everyday activities - for example, you are unable to concentrate on assignments at work or school
• Your actions are harmful to yourself or to others - for example, you are drinking too much alcohol, abusing drugs, or becoming overly argumentative and aggressive
• People are telling you that they are worried about you
• You are having thoughts about physically hurting yourself or others
• You are having thoughts about ending your life 

Psychotherapy works!   PR videos from APA.

http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/psychotherapy-works.aspx

Roosevelt University Counseling Center - 430 S. Michigan Ave. AUD 462 - Chicago, IL 60605
1400 N. Roosevelt Blvd. Rm 114 - Schaumburg, IL 60173 - (312) 341-3548