Counseling Services is located in the Lower Level of Appel Entrance on Buchanan Park side of building

Welcome to Counseling Services. Counseling Services provides individual and group counseling and consultation to current F&M students dealing with personal, career and educational concerns which may be barriers to their academic progress and success. The Counseling Services staff consists of psychologists, counselors, a consulting psychiatrist, and doctoral-level interns. All services are free and there is no limit to the number of counseling sessions. All contacts with members of the staff are privileged and confidential as provided by federal and state law. The staff of the counseling center is highly trained and highly committed to enhancing the well-being and personal development of all Franklin and Marshall students.

Students face a variety of challenges in their years at Franklin and Marshall College. Counseling Services is available to assist students so they can meet these challenges and take full advantage of the many opportunities afforded to them in the Franklin and Marshall community. The counseling process helps students learn more about themselves, overcome obstacles, identify and develop coping strategies, and emerge with enhanced self-confidence. Franklin and Marshall Counseling Services promotes and fosters the academic, personal, and interpersonal development of its students by providing a full range of counseling and psychological services to all students who desire assistance in coping with personal and emotional difficulties and social relationships.

WHAT IS PSYCHOTHERAPY AND COUNSELING?

There are several words used for counseling including therapy, psychotherapy, and counseling. They refer to a continuum of services that begins with helping people work through those normal developmental issues that are creating problems in their lives to working with people with moderate to severe mental illnesses that are stopping them from interacting with their environment.

COMMON ISSUES AFFECTING COLLEGE STUDENTS

• Depression
• Eating Disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa
• Homesickness
• Anxiety and Stress
• Confusion about Career Issues and Direction
• Substance Abuse
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Sexual Assault
• Regretted Sex
• Academic Concerns such as Time Management and Study Skill Development
• Relationship Issues
• Anger Management
• Cultural Issues
• Feelings of Isolation and Loneliness
• Confronting Discrimination and Prejudice
• Sexual Identity

WHO USES COUNSELING SERVICES

Every year approximately 20 percent of the student population meets with a psychologist in Counseling Services, with first-year students, sophomores, juniors, and seniors equally likely to utilize the services. Longitudinal data indicate that approximately 40 to 45 percent of the students in a graduating class use the services.

Approximately 80 percent of the sessions involve counseling for personal adjustment problems such as anxiety, depression, drugs and/or alcohol abuse, eating disorders, conflicted relationships, and stress management. Difficulties in relationships with either parents or peers is a frequent problem students encounter. Academic concerns including study skills, time management, choice of a major, and career issues account for 20 percent of the counseling sessions. Students are typically seen for three to four counseling sessions, but there is no limit on the number of sessions.

WHY IS COUNSELING SERVICES IMPORTANT ON CAMPUS

College is a very unique time in a person's life. The lessons learned and obstacles overcome during the college years can provide a wonderful opportunity for emotional growth and maturity. However, these lessons and obstacles can also result in negative consequences such as overwhelming stress, psychological problems, and academic difficulties that affect a student's performance.

Counseling Services is designed to assist students with addressing the difficulties that they encounter during these years and to promote greater overall wellness within the student population. Counseling Services also provides consultation and outreach programs to the F&M community that enhance the overall wellness of the F&M College community.

LOCATION:

Lower Level Appel Infirmary (please enter on the Buchanan Park side of building)

If a person needs special accommodations to physically access our office, please call and arrangements will be made.

Contact Us:

Phone: (717) 291-4083
Fax: (717) 358-4459

Postal address:

Office of Counseling Services
Franklin & Marshall College
P.O. Box 3003
Lancaster, PA 17604-3003 USA

Hours and Appointments:

8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday
Walk-In hours are from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday

After hours emergencies--Call Counseling Services 717-291-4083 and follow the instructions to reach the on-call counselor (you will be asked to press "0" and the answering service will reach the on-call counselor for you).

Counseling Services is closed between graduation in May and August 1st.