Counseling is the process of using an outside source (non-judgmental person) to aid in your choices about personal, financial, or academic issues.  Counseling at TRIO SSSP is completely confidential and is sensitive to your individual needs. The counseling in our office views students holistically and encourages the integration between the personal and academic.  We believe that in order to be a successful student, all areas of your life must be working.

The counselor in TRIO SSSP is trained to help you learn more about yourself, and to help you achieve your personal, academic, and career goals.  The counselor is also a skilled advisor and knows a great deal about SUNY Brockport policies, procedures, and resources. If the counselor doesn't know the answers to your questions, chances are the staff as a group will point you in the right direction and help you find the answers.

SSSPCounselor Diane Drake working with a new student

What Can I Expect from Counseling?

Counseling can be used for a number of reasons. The most important thing to remember is that counseling is for you and focuses primarily on issues that are most important to you at any given time.  The following is a sample of the kinds of issues that students bring to our counselors:

• Personal Counseling: Personal issues, such as those relating to families, relationships, abuse, stress, indecision, depression, and anxiety are dealt with in a sensitive way so that you can resolve them effectively.
• Academic Counseling: Students work with our counselor on academic issues, including time management, test anxiety, and any concern the has to do with your studies at SUNY Brockport.
• Career Counseling:  Job search concerns, feelings of indecision and questions about your career choice are important and we are equipped to help you through these decisions.  TRIO SSSP is here to assist you in finding answers to these and many other questions.
• Crisis Counseling:  If, for any reason, you require immediate attention regarding any issue or concern, we are here and always willing to help.

The format of our counseling is completely up to you.  You can meet with our trained counselor as often as you like in any type of format.

• Individual Counseling:  You can meet one-to-one with a counselor to discuss your concerns in a private office within the SSSP offices in C7 Cooper Hall.
• Group Counseling: You can meet with the counselor and other students who may be experiencing similar concerns in a group setting.  This type of counseling gives your the opportunity to share with other students (and for them to share with you) strategies for overcoming your concerns and for improving your sense of well being in a social environment.

Call or stop by the TRIO SSSP office in C7 Cooper Hall.  The Counselor or the Administrative Assistant can arrange an appointment for you.   For issues that require more extensive services, SSSP my refer you to the Counseling Center in Hazen Hall or to an outside counselor.