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Mission
Welcome to the University of South Florida,
Lakeland Counseling Center. Everyone faces a variety of problems in
their daily lives. Usually we can work them out on our own. However,
sometimes problems become too much for us to handle alone and they
affect our personal happiness, family relationships and performance
at school. When this happens we need to seek professional help.
The Counseling Center has been established to help students resolve
problems that affect their personal lives as well as their performance
in school. The Counseling Center is open to all PCC and USF students
attending classes on the Lakeland Campus.
Seeing a Counselor is a Big Decision
Counselors help students with problems that affect their well-being and their
ability to perform well in school and life. Counseling may help if you feel
concerned about various issues, such as:
- Where you are going with your life
- Stress and related problems
- Loss of loved ones
- Not knowing how to study
- Feeling sad or depressed most of the time
- Drinking or using drugs
Without proper attention, problems become worse and the consequences
can be unpleasant and expensive. A professionally trained counselor
can provide an objective viewpoint and guide you toward a better understanding
of your problem and its resolution.
Counselors Can Help
Many times counselors can help you resolve problems in a few individual sessions.
For those bigger problems, counselors are familiar with resources and professionals
throughout the community and can direct you to an agency or professional best
equipped to provide the assistance you may need.
The Counseling Center at USF Lakeland is located in the Student Services Building.
Services are available to all currently registered part time and full time
students. The professional staff of the Counseling Center is here to help assist
students in improving self awareness, exploring personal concerns, improving
learning skills, and making lifestyle, academic and relationship decisions.
There are no fees for services. Counseling is available for individuals, couples
or groups by appointment or on a walk-in basis, for concerns which may require
immediate attention.
Confidential Counseling
Services at the Counseling Center are private and confidential. This means
that the discussion of any problem is between you and the counselor. All sessions
with a counselor are protected in accordance with Florida law. Counseling records
are maintained in a secured location, separately from other USF records and
transcripts. Your professors and family will not be informed about what you
discuss during counseling sessions. Requests for information must be initiated
by a signed release of information from you, the student.
Hours of Operation
The Counseling Center is open year round except for university holidays. Any
student may call for an appointment and all services are free of charge to
students on the Lakeland campus. The Counseling Center is open from 9:00 a.m.
to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday.
Other hours are available by special arrangement.
Email Policy
The staff of The Counseling Center welcomes contact with students. However,
we feel that e-mail is not the best method to serve our students since it does
not protect our clients’ rights to confidentiality. Also, email is not
the most effective means to contact us as we may be away for various reasons
such as vacation, professional meetings, or training. In addition, email may
not be available to the counselor after hours or on weekends. If you need to
speak with a counselor please call the number listed below, or stop by the
student services office.
If you would like to know more about The Counseling Center, call or stop by
to make an appointment. The Counseling Center is located in the Student Services
Building on the Lakeland Campus.
For Appointments
863-667-7701
If you have an emergency after hours please contact the Crisis Line at
863-519-3744, Toll Free (800) 627-5906, Collect calls
are accepted.
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