Counseling Center FAQ
How do I make an appointment at the Counseling Center?
You can call us at (570) 208-5873 or visit the office during our regular hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. You can also contact us via e-mail at counselingcenterstaff@kings.edu.
Where is the Counseling Center?
We are in the Administration Building, room 620. There are no classrooms on our floor, which keeps student traffic minimal for privacy and confidentiality.
What does it cost to come to the Counseling Center?
Counseling Center services are available to you with no out of pocket costs.
Who is eligible for services?
Our services are available to any full-time enrolled undergraduate student at King's College. Full-time graduate students who live in Pennsylvania are also eligible.
We consider eligibility for part-time undergraduate students on a case-by-case basis.
How long does it take to get an appointment? Can I just walk in?
During the semester, we can usually see you within three to four business days after scheduling an appointment.
However, if you are experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency, you can visit the center without an appointment and fill out a triage form. If necessary, you will meet with a counselor within 30 minutes or less.
How do I know my parents, friends, or professors will not be told about what I tell you?
We are legally and ethically bound to keep the information discussed in your therapy sessions confidential. In fact, we cannot share any information at all, including if you attended an appointment, unless you sign a release of information form giving us permission to communicate with a specific individual.
However, there are exceptions to this confidentiality:
- If, in the counselor's judgement, there is imminent risk of physical harm to self or others.
- Per Pennsylvania mandated reporting law, if information is shared indicating that a minor (under the age of 18) or dependent adult is being abused or harmed.
- If ordered to do so by a judge as part of judicial proceedings.
- Per Title IX policy, if there is a disclosure of sexual assault that was perpetrated by a member of the King's community and it occurred on any part of King's property, there is an obligation to make at least an anonymous report (done through a secure, anonymous campus reporting site).
Why do students visit the Counseling Center for help?
We assist students with a variety of challenging life experiences:
- Adjusting to college life, including homesickness, roommate challenges, time management, forming new relationships, and managing expectations
- Managing typical stress or sadness
- Treating anxiety disorders or clinical depression
- Coping with grief and loss
- Working through family conflict
- Improving self-esteem
- Personal identity questions
- Navigating perfectionism
- Creating healthy boundaries and/or identifying unhealthy relationships
- Identifying and addressing unhealthy body image and/or distorted eating
- Impending graduation transitions
Do a lot of students use the Counseling Center?
Many students utilize our services. From 2022 through 2023, we worked with 228 different students.
What can I expect when visiting the Counseling Center?
We offer a variety of approaches and will work with students to best meet their needs. Some students may just need one or two sessions to work through a particular problem. Other students may benefit from regularly scheduled counseling sessions. Some students are seen on a weekly basis or every two weeks.
Will counselors recommend sending me to a hospital or put me on medication?
Recommending a student for a higher level of care is explored only when absolutely necessary. Hospitalization occurs in rare circumstances and only when we need to ensure safety when imminent danger is present.
Medication may be explored as an option to enhance treatment if progress has been slow or stalled, but this would be a discussion between clinician and student and would only be pursued with the student's permission.