It’s Okay to Go to Counseling

My sophomore year, I realized I needed professional help; yet, I was terrified and ashamed to admit it. Only after my roommate informed me that he was attending counseling did I gird myself, take a deep breath and finally go.

I’m just going to get it out in the open: it’s okay to admit you need counseling. There’s a strange stigma of shame and embarrassment that people associate with counseling. I, for one, definitely felt that way in the beginning of my counseling journey.

My counseling experience has been nothing short of excellent. My counselor listened well and offered encouragement and advice that I needed to hear.

If you’re toying with the idea of going, I would encourage you to talk to your Resident Assistant, friends, parents, or someone you trust to get advice on what they think is best.

If you’re more independent, I encourage you to check it out and see what you think. I have a friend who signed up for counseling just because he could try it. He attended several sessions and then decided not to go anymore. Go with the confidence that whatever you share will be confidential.

To attend counseling at John Brown specifically, you must first fill out an intake form (https://www.jbu.edu/campus_life/counseling/intake/), which asks specific questions about your issue you are facing in order to best place you with a counselor.

The first eight sessions are free, then each visit costs ten dollars, which is a pretty reasonable price, comparatively.

Don’t hesitate to give it a try.