Counseling is Great but Not for Me: Student Perspectives of College Counseling

Abstract:The number of college students experiencing mental health related concerns has increased each year, yet two-thirds do not seek help. Compared to students who use counseling, students who need but do not receive help have poorer academic outcomes. On-campus college counseling centers are valuable resource that benefits student well-being, including academic performance and retention. Understanding what factors create barriers for students who desire to seek counseling can help higher education professionals work to improve access to counseling. This qualitative study explored student views of on-campus counseling including barriers that exist for students when seeking help. Data were collected through three focus group interviews (n=14). Consensual qualitative recording analyses yielded three thematic domains: (a) Counseling Benefits, (b) Barriers to Help-Seeking, and (c) Service Model Considerations. Implications for on-campus counseling services are discussed.