Psychological Counseling and Guidance Center - Frequently Asked Questions

How do I decide whether I need psychological counseling?

You can benefit from psychological counseling services for any current issue that interferes with your daily life and your education. For example:

• If you want to cope with stress and anxiety,
• If you have problems with exams and grades,
• If you are not succeeding even though you study,
• If there are matters you have been undecided about for a long time,
• If you have thoughts you just cannot get out of your mind,
• If you believe you have feelings and thoughts that you cannot tell anyone but feel the need to share,
• If you are anxious about the future,
• If you feel that something is going wrong in your life,
• If you want to communicate more effectively with people and express your feelings and thoughts effectively,
• If you want to cope with loneliness and shyness,
• If you feel you have difficulties with self-confidence and assertiveness,
• If you are having difficulty adjusting to university life, you can talk to our PDRM specialists.

 

Do only people with serious problems receive counseling?

Anyone who feels discomfort in any area of their life (eating, sleeping, studying, focusing, relationships, mood, etc.) can receive psychological counseling. Being a university student is stressful. Getting help while coping with difficulties can make you feel better.

 

Receiving psychological counseling does not mean that you have a weak character or that you are powerless. On the contrary, facing problems can be challenging and takes courage.

 

Why should I tell my problems to someone I don't know?

The time you share with your psychological counselor belongs entirely to you and is for talking about what matters to you. The comments and suggestions of your friends and family may be biased, whereas counselors are impartial and do not approach the issue judgmentally; they simply try to understand you and your situation as well as possible. This is done within the rule of confidentiality. Also, you can be sure that you will not see your counselor sitting next to you in class the next day.

 

How does the psychological counseling process help me?

In the counseling process, your counselor provides a safe environment in which you can put your thoughts and feelings into words. As a result, you can better understand your issues, yourself, and your feelings, thoughts and behaviors. Facing difficulties and problems, rather than ignoring them, also brings a certain relief and hope.

 

Who can benefit from PDRM services? What is the fee for psychological counseling at PDRM?

All services at PDRM are for BAU students only and are free of charge.

 

Are online sessions as effective as face-to-face sessions?

Under suitable conditions, online sessions are as effective as face-to-face sessions. The work will be more beneficial if you can provide an environment where you can protect your privacy and will not be overheard or interrupted.

 

Are positive or negative notes about those who apply for counseling added to their academic files? Are conversations shared with others?

Confidentiality is essential in the counseling relationship. All information is kept confidential. At PDRM, ethical rules are followed in storing and disposing of information and records, or when they need to be shared with others. All records related to the counseling relationship (session notes, test data, correspondence and all other documents) are not the property of the institution where the counselor works. They are used for professional purposes and are not disclosed to others without the student's consent. They are not entered in academic records. Relevant information is shared with the competent authorities only when there is a situation that endangers the life of the person or someone else.

 

How can I make an appointment? How long does it take to get one?

To request an appointment from PDRM, you can send an email to pdrm@dso.bau.edu.tr . Applications made on weekdays are answered within 24 hours. You can also call to request an appointment; however, calls cannot be answered during sessions.

 

After your application, an appointment is scheduled with one of our specialists at the earliest available time. During busy periods (before finals, at the end of the semester, etc.), scheduling an appointment may take some time.

 

Can I make an appointment for someone else?

It is important that the person applies themselves in order to benefit from the sessions. If you would like to refer a student to PDRM, you can help them make an appointment by calling the center while the student is with you. Alternatively, if the student consents to their information being shared with PDRM, a counselor can contact them and invite them to a session.

 

Can I receive long-term therapy at PDRM?

Long-term therapy may bring different practices to mind for different people. These include long-term regular weekly sessions, biweekly follow-up sessions, or sessions of varying frequency that continue for years. PDRM provides short-term psychological counseling. The format and duration of the work are determined according to the student's needs, the intensity of the difficulty experienced and the specialist's clinical evaluation.

 

What does your psychological counselor do?

• At the beginning of the counseling process, they listen to you, carry out the necessary assessments, and begin working with you toward the goal you set together, within the framework of confidentiality and a professional relationship.
• A psychological counselor is someone who helps you better understand yourself and your problem and thus solve it more effectively. They do not solve your problems for you or advise you on how you should live, because only you can best know the details of your life's processes and difficulties, and you are the one who can decide on the most suitable solution and put it into practice.
• They listen to you carefully and objectively, without judgment.
• They listen to you with sincere interest and ask questions to get to know you better.
• They try to be unbiased and sensitive toward your beliefs, values and thoughts.
• The psychological counselor provides you with a safe space to better understand yourself, begin solving your problems and develop the necessary skills.
• When they consider it necessary for your benefit, they may refer you to other specialists.