Our Services
We offer professional counseling services to students, staff and the general public while serving as a training site for graduate students of the MA in Counseling at Webster Geneva Campus. Our mission is to work towards equality and social justice by reaching those who could otherwise not access counseling, including culturally diverse groups and underserved communities.
- Students and Staff: Services are provided free of charge for all students and staff affiliated with Webster.
- General Public: We offer low-cost counseling options open to the local community.
Support is available in-person on campus or via video conferencing to suit your needs.
How We Can Help
The counselor's role is to listen and respond with empathy to what is contributing to your present challenges. They explore what choices are available to you to make your life more manageable. Counselors do not give advice, make decisions for you or pass judgment on your situation.
Your reasons for coming to counseling may not always be well-defined. A general feeling of discomfort or knowing that some things have not been going well, may indicate that this is a good time to clarify your situation. Clients may prevent with a variety of issues:
- Trouble adjusting to living in Switzerland or to University life.
- Homesickness.
- Grief, loss and bereavement.
- Trauma and stress.
- Study or work problems.
- Concerns about academic work (concentration, time management, organization, or other worries).
- Low mood and worries.
- Life transitions and planning for the future.
- Relationship challenges or difficulties.
- Issues related to identity, gender and sexuality.
Referrals are made to qualified practitioners where issues such as substance abuse or other complex issues are deemed to be beyond the competency level of the Counseling trainee. The service can also help you find adequate outside resources and provide information on psychological issues.
About Our Counselors
Our counselors are graduate students from the Webster Geneva Campus Counseling program who are supervised by faculty with extensive clinical and supervision experience. Counselors-in-training provide free compassionate and professional services in a safe and confidential environment in multiple languages.
Our counselors come from a variety of professional backgrounds such as lawyers, teachers, journalists, human resources, UN employees, NGOs, the corporate world and more. They have very valuable life experience, and this can be so important in understanding the challenges that their clients face. They are realistic, dedicated and resourceful with a wide range of life skills.
Some have grown up in international, multilingual contexts, knowing first-hand the difficulties faced by individuals and families adjusting to a new country. All of our counselors are passionate about supporting people in navigating difficult life transitions and creating meaningful change.
Ethics
We strictly adhere to the professional codes of ethics established by the Swiss Association for Counseling (SGfB) and the American Association of Counseling (ACA).
About Counseling Sessions
Counseling involves regular contact, normally once a week. At the first meeting, you and your counselor will discuss whether to proceed.
- Session Structure: Each session is 50 minutes in duration.
- Location: The service is offered in-person on campus or via video conferencing. Meetings on campus take place in a private room in the Counseling Center at a mutually convenient time.
- Duration: We offer both short-term and longer-term support depending on your unique needs. The number of sessions depends on individual needs and varies from one to several sessions.
If you must cancel, you should notify your Trainee Counselor as soon as possible via WhatsApp or email to avoid unnecessary travel for the counselor.
Contact
Contact us to make an appointment or for further information: