Counseling Services

Sometimes you may not be sure if your concerns are “big” enough to see a counselor.  Please remember, there are no insignificant problems!  Examples of the most common presenting concerns include:

Anxiety, stress, grief and loss, trauma, parenting, academic problems, anger, sadness, sexuality, self-esteem, abuse, neglect, relational issues, depression, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts, alcohol and substance use problems, bullying, domestic violence

JCC Counseling Services are free to all Johnston Community College students who are currently enrolled.  Counselors provide a brief, solution-focused model of counseling, usually providing 1-3 sessions.  Some problems can be resolved during this time, but others may take longer.  In those cases, students will be referred to outside providers for continued care.

To get the most out of your counseling experience, please be prepared to:

• Define your goals: What do you want to get out of counseling with us?
• Be an active participant: Be active, be honest, and be on time.
• Be patient: Growth and learning takes time!
• Follow your counselor’s recommendations: Make the effort to try out and practice new behaviors and ways of doing things as suggested by your counselor.

Confidentiality is of the utmost importance to the counseling process and relationship.  JCC Counseling Services keeps a confidential file that is NOT part of the student’s academic record.  Therefore, anything you tell your counselor in confidence will remain confidential, except in the following rare circumstances:

• When a student poses a threat of serious harm to self or others.
• When there is reasonable suspicion of abuse/neglect against a minor child, elderly adult, or dependent adult.
• When a subpoena or other court order is received directing the disclosure of information.

Outside of these instances, JCC Counseling Services will require written permission from the student to disclose private information.