Student Counseling

Counseling Office Services

• Individual counseling sessions
• Group counseling
• Consultation for students, faculty and staff for student referral
• Outreach and student education around mental health issues via
• Student Orientations
• Trainings, Workshops, and class presentations
• Pick-UP/Take-With information
• Counseling Office Newsletter
• Wellness and Enrichment Activities

Counseling Office Newsletters & Public Awareness Announcements - Click here

What is counseling?
Counseling is a process of helping you/the student use your own and other resources in answering your problematic questions or solving your dilemmas. Counseling at Georgia Piedmont Tech is a mental health resource to provide free, personal and confidential counseling in a safe and supportive environment. The purpose of this resource is to help students acquire the skills, attitudes, abilities and insights that will enable you to address the all-too-prevalent stress and conflicts that may distract you from achieving your full potential. Counseling can be the place to help you get "back on track" or "sort things out" so that you can succeed to meet your goals.

Individual Counseling Sessions
If you have any conflict or stress over the following issues or others not mentioned, you may want to call the Counseling Office to schedule an appointment.   In counseling, we will address issues that are problematic and stressful for you, explore alternative ways to resolve the problems and strategize ways to balance all of the areas of your life so that you may complete this program of education and pursue your career goals.

1. Interpersonal relations (family issues, grief, anger management, self-esteem, intimacy, relationship building, etc.),
2. Crisis-management (depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, rape trauma, substance abuse, anxiety reactions, etc.),
3. Addiction issues,
4. Frustration with behaviors that seem unbreakable, e.g. serious procrastination, anger, unhealthy sleep patterns,
5. Abuse recovery (sexual, physical, or emotional abuse),
6. Struggles with educational skills strategies e.g. stress management and relaxation, study skills, test anxiety problems, etc.

How long does counseling take?
The Counseling Office operates on a brief counseling model so your counselor will help you work toward a solution to your concerns in as few sessions as possible. Many students are seen for as few as three sessions, though at times you may work with a counselor for up to 20 sessions within an academic year. Counseling sessions are usually booked weekly or bi-weekly.

As a process addressing entrenched issues, it is rare that one session will significantly resolve the problem. Counseling often has an early "honeymoon" effect of symptom relief. While this seems positive, do not stop treatment before addressing the sources of the problems, or they may soon return or be replaced by other difficulties. On the other hand, like house remodeling, taking apart things that have not worked well in one's life often makes them seem worse before they get better. When counseling seems difficult or painful, do not give up - discuss your feelings and reactions honestly with your counselor and you will move forward rather than retreat back to your old, less effective ways.

Do I need to prepare for my session?
It is always a good idea to do at least a little preparation for your counseling session; that way you can get the most benefit from your time with your counselor. To make the most of your initial/intake session you will want to explain to your counselor what your primary concern is, what your questions are, how you think and feel about your concern, and what you have done so far to resolve it. However, it is not necessary to verbally express your issues fully to attend a first session.

Through collaboration, you and your counselor will decide on ways to make changes, and you may be trying out new ideas or strategies between sessions so you should be prepared to talk about these changes when you arrive at your counseling session. The more you are able to translate ideas into action, the more changes you will see in your life.

Am I wasting your time with my problem?
No. Many students who access Georgia Piedmont Technical College Support Services feel hesitant at first for a variety of reasons, including the belief that their problem is not important. At Georgia Piedmont Tech we believe that if it is important to you, then it is important to us. Please remember that we are here to help and that we are glad to work with you on whatever issues you would like to bring to counseling.

**If are interested in learning more about counseling services and/or additional resources regarding mental health services, please visit the Ulifeline Website for Georgia Piedmont Technical College at http://www.ulifeline.org/dekalbtech/.

Who Is Eligible to Receive Counseling Services?
Counseling services are available to all currently enrolled GPTC students in certificate, diploma or degree programs on a first-come first serve basis. For appointment, see contact information for Betty J. Tilley or Melissa Massey. In some cases, students will be referred to off-campus resources.

Contact Information

After Counseling Hours Emergency
Call Georgia Piedmont Tech Security at ext. 1286 or 1885 or GA Crisis & Access Line: 1-800-715-4225