Counseling Center FAQs
All actively enrolled full-time/part-time undergraduate/graduate students are eligible for services (you must be enrolled for that semester you are being seen). Sometimes other persons important in your life, such as a partner may be involved in the counseling process as well; however, they too must be an actively enrolled student.
Yes, you may still receive crisis services as needed; however, if you are working with an outside community provider we will encourage you to work with that individual, since we do not want to duplicate services. We can under certain circumstances work collaboratively with that provider if needed, but this will be a discussion that will take place between you, your provider, and a counselor at our center. We will need your written permission first before we can speak with that provider.
Our scope of practice at the counseling center may be limited, but we do have community resources that we can connect you with which may assist your needs.
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or crisis, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. An appointment is not necessary if you need assistance from the Counseling Center during office hours, and you may come directly to our office, call us at (808) 735-4845, email us at [email protected], or call Campus Security at (808) 735-4792 to notify our center. If this is an urgent matter, we will do our best to rearrange appointments that we may have that day to assist you as soon as possible. Please also refer to our crisis and/or community resources page for after hour contacts on our homepage on the University website.
Not at all. Students who use the Counseling Center are interested in their personal growth and adjustment to the world around them, especially during college. Students face an array of minor and major developmental concerns, academic pressures, challenges, and transitions while in college. You may feel anxious, angry, overwhelmed, lonely, sad or homesick. Counseling Center staff are trained licensed professionals who can help you to explore alternative coping strategies and find healthy ways of dealing with these pressures.
Students may consider counseling when they may need an unbiased perspective on issues they are facing or when they are unable to manage their own difficulties independently and their day-to-day functioning is being impacted.
We try to do our best to fit you with the best fit counselor possible to meet your needs. All of our counselors have different theoretical orientations, education, training, and expertise. If we are unable to fit your needs with a counselor in the Counseling Center, we can refer you to a community provider.
It is up to you as to whether you want to attend counseling or not. At any point in time during the counseling process, you are welcomed to discontinue services with us. We of course may explore your reasons for discontinuing services if we get a chance to, may attempt to follow up with you, and would like to process this decision of yours before ending sessions, but we respect that this is your decision to receive services.
No. The Counseling Center has a strict confidentiality policy and will not release information regarding contact with a student without permission from the student except in certain circumstances. If a student is 18 years of age or older, it is the student’s right to choose whether to discuss their experience with the Counseling Center with their parents, friends, academic advisors, faculty, staff, or prospective employers.
Please arrive at least on time to the scheduled appointment. The counselor will meet with you for approximately 60 minutes. At this first session, you will be asked questions to clarify your current situation and past history. The counselor will discuss treatment options with you. We will make every effort to see that you receive the best available care, whether it is on or off campus.
There are many approaches to counseling and various formats in which it may occur, including individual and couples counseling. Despite the variations, sessions usually last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes. The counselor may begin with a check-in since your last appointment and work collaboratively with you to determine what you would like to discuss during that session. A counselor can help you clarify issues so that you can solve your problems independently with their guidance, support, and expertise. There will be goals that you and your counselor will establish to work on during sessions. The counselor may suggest and practice coping tools with you to help you to manage your challenges. The goal of counseling is to make a student more self-sufficient so that they can manage their own difficulties independently and eventually not need services.
Counseling is a two-way process that works especially well when you and your counselor communicate openly. It is important to be transparent with your counselor about your concerns as they may arise. Counseling works best when you attend all scheduled sessions and give some forethought as to what you want to discuss during each session.
Counseling is not always easy, since it may raise issues you have not processed yet. Please keep in mind that some individuals feel worse before they feel better. If you are willing to work in close partnership with your counselor you may find relief from your emotional distress and begin to lead more productive and fulfilling lives.
As you begin counseling, you should establish clear goals with your counselor. Keep in mind that certain goals require more time to accomplish than others. You may be able to evaluate the process of counseling by identifying progress with your goals with your counselor.
We will do our best to connect you with community resources if you are in need of continued services. With your permission, we also work collaboratively with these providers, if needed, to make sure that you are successful in your college journey.
Telehealth FAQs
Telehealth provides services using computer programs, video calls, apps, telephone, email and any other technology devices that facilitates remote delivery of services. An example of telehealth includes speaking with a counselor via Zoom HIPAA.
The Counseling Center continues to provide short-term personal counseling, referrals to community-based providers, psycho-education, and crisis support. Services that are available in our physical office are offered remotely using secure technology.
Absolutely. We still provide high-quality personal and emotional support even though we are doing it a different way. We are deeply committed to serving the Chaminade University of Honolulu community, and these additional services allow greater access to services.
You do not have to be seen walking into our physical office. You do not need to worry about traffic or parking if you are commuting to campus. This service is convenient because you engage in counseling in the comfort of anywhere that you have privacy. Also, our telehealth platform is fairly simple to navigate and is secure, because we use a HIPAA-compliant platform.
We are flexible here at the Counseling Center. If you wish to switch to a different counseling service, please discuss this with your counselor and you can explore with them the appropriateness, as well the expectations associated with telehealth services.
Your counselor will work with you individually to address issues of technology. We understand that you might be able to do video calls some days, so we can discuss the best treatment modality that works best for your needs. We are flexible and try to work with you on these issues.
We understand that things happen. You can work with your counselor if these technology issues can be resolved or if you will have to move to another platform for that session. Your counselor will go over an alternative communication plan with you should these challenges occur prior to beginning telehealth.
Yes. The Counseling Center staff are only licensed in the State of Hawaii and we have restrictions in providing counseling outside of State lines. However, we can assist you with referrals in your area if we are unable to service you.
Yes, we ask that you turn on your camera for safety reasons. We would like to make sure that you are in a secure location where you can speak confidentially.
Students can contact the Counseling Center via email at [email protected] or call us at (808) 735-4845 and indicate their preference for telehealth services. Our counselors will determine with the student the appropriateness of conducting their sessions virtually.
The process is the same whether you are engaging in counseling services virtually or in-person. You can discuss this process with your counselor and your counselor will review resources with you if you are ever in a crisis. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please do not wait to hear back from a counselor. Immediately call 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or contact Hawaii CARES at (808) 832-3100. Email is not being monitored continuously or outside of business hours, although we do our best to respond to email within a 24-hour period. You can try to stop by our office or call us if you need to be seen, and we do have same-day appointments if available; however, if this is an emergency please utilize the above resources.
Yes, we are currently offering telehealth and in-person services. You and your counselor can explore and determine the appropriateness of which service fits your needs best.
No. Counseling services whether in-person or via telehealth do not have any fees.
All currently enrolled students can receive counseling services.
