Who Goes to Counseling

When to Come In

Over the course of their college careers, over 40% of Bowdoin students will seek out the support of the Counseling Service.  Some students only meet with a counselor a few times, effectively addressing the concerns that brought them in.  Others, choose to continuing counseling for more extended periods of time either to address issues of deeper concern or to increase productivity, calm, and value in their daily lives.  Students initially contact the Counseling Service for a number of different reasons including:

  • Concerns about important relationships
  • Feelings of anxiety or panic
  • Feelings of depression, hopelessness, or suicidality
  • Disruptions in sleep
  • Sex, sexual identity, or sexual orientation
  • Experienced trauma including but not limited to assault and rape
  • Eating, weight, or body image
  • Drug or Alcohol Use
  • Challenging life decisions
  • Performance or creative blocks
  • Motivation and achievement (academic, athletic…)
  • Self-esteem
  • Adjusting to college
  • Adjusting to a new language or culture
  • Coping with a physical illness, disability, or injury
  • Coping with learning disabilities
  • Continued treatment begun at home
  • To develop and build upon personal strengths