Counseling Services
Through the provision of Counseling Services, namely individual and group counseling, periodic workshops, crisis intervention and referral services, Counseling Services provides AUA students with resources to solve problems, overcome possible barriers and find effective solutions to issues impeding their academic, emotional, social, personal wellness and integrity.
COUNSELING SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL AUA STUDENTS AND ARE FREE OF CHARGE.
We often ask ourselves: Who is a psychologist/counselor? How do I know that counseling can help? Can I trust this person? Moreover, some people around us are sure that they can be of better support than a professional counselor.
Counseling services provide students with a safe environment, an atmosphere of support and empathy where they can share, understand and address their concerns.
While the psychologist/counselor does not give advice, clients gain insight into the issues, solutions to the problems and strategies for empowerment.
Once you open up to a counselor, talking can give relief; it is a private conversation.
With counseling, students are able to learn more about themselves and to become more competent and confident both in their personal, relationships, academics and work settings.
When can a student approach for support?
It is normal for students to face difficulties from time to time, be it due to academic stress or personal problems.
You are encouraged to approach the counselor when you feel:
Alone
Anxious
Depressed
Stressed
You have or experienced
Communication problems
Eating disorders
Drugs/alcohol abuse
Crisis
Thoughts of suicide or harming yourself/others
Abuse physically, psychologically, sexually
Inability to concentrate
Family issues
Loss/grief
What Services do we offer?
Individual counseling
Students may engage in face-to-face talk with a certified counselor to understand, identify and address concerns. While talking to the counselor, you will be asked questions which will help you to clarify your thoughts and feelings. You can approach the counselor with issues of concern such as mood and communication problems, adjustment to a new culture or academic environment, stress management, etc.
Group counseling
Students with similar problems come together to share their perceptions of the issues mentioned above. The process is facilitated by a certified counselor. This supportive environment allows space for students to reflect on their experiences, listen to solutions from peers and learn coping mechanisms
Seminars
Students can attend interactive seminars which are usually open up to 20 participants. During a seminar no one will be asked to share any personal information.
Crisis intervention
Crisis intervention is a service offered to students who are in serious or immediate emotional distress, including cases where:
The student verbally or behaviorally conveys that he/she is in crisis
The student seems to have lost connection with reality
The student upsets the University’s ordinary operations and/or campus life
The student is in imminent danger to herself/himself or others
The student was exposed to attempted rape or rape
The student was exposed to physical or emotional abuse
The student identifies himself/herself as being in crisis
Other extraordinary situations
Students in crisis can visit or call the Counseling Center during regular business hours. When the Counseling Center is closed, students should email their request to [email protected] or visit the center during its regular working hours. After working hours or during weekends, students may contact AUA Security at (+374) 060-612-727 or (+374) 060-612-729, or Public Safety at 103.
Students who are faced with an emergency will meet the Counselor during regular working hours. The Counselor will meet the student and create a safety plan, including how to manage the crisis and make follow-up appointments with the student to further support him/her and build the necessary resilience skills.