There has been increasing attention in recent years, both positive and negative, on college student mental health and the provision of counseling services on campus. At the same time, there continue to be misperceptions of college counselors, both within and outside college campuses. Drawing on over 20 years of experience as a college counselor, Dr. Sharkin addresses these misunderstandings, providing a detailed description and discussion of the many roles and contributions these professionals have. He explores topics such as the history of college counseling and its evolution, who college counselors are, how someone can become a college counselor, and what skills are needed to be a college counselor today. Roles and responsibilities, including counseling, crisis intervention, consultation, outreach, and administrative duties, are discussed in detail and supplemented with both research and case studies. Diversity competencies and special challenges faced by today’s college counselors are also considered. This engaging and accessible book will be a valuable resource for those already working in college mental health settings and those wishing to enter the field.

This book serves as a guide for counselors who are working in higher education and can be used as a resource book for individuals involved in counselor preparation programs. It explores college counseling as a profession, examines the diverse characteristics of today's college students, and details the variety of roles and services provided by college counselors. The book is organized into four sections. Part 1, "The College Counseling Profession," provides an introduction to college counseling as a profession, including its history and current status, diverse institutional settings, and professional preparation. Part 2, "Counseling Today's College Students," presents an overview of the diverse characteristics of today's college students, with special attention to traditional and nontraditional learners, and minority and international students. Part 3, "Today's College Counselor and the Institution," explores the diverse roles and services provided by the counselors and makes recommendations regarding effective practices. Part 4, "College Counselors and the Future," looks at stories from day-to-day life of college counselors and examines ways counselors can maintain wellness amid the demanding environment. The book is designed to provide an overview of the holistic, developmentally-based profession of college counseling and does not duplicate related publications of other authors about specific topics, such as student affairs preparation, techniques for counseling special populations, or cybercounseling. Resources are included that will assist readers in further exploring their interests. (Contains 474 references and 8 appendixes.) (JDM)

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“The College Solution helps readers look beyond over-hyped admission rankings to discover schools that offer a quality education at affordable prices. Taking the guesswork out of saving and finding money for college, this is a practical and insightful must-have guide for every parent!” —Jaye J. Fenderson, Seventeen’s College Columnist and Author, Seventeen’s Guide to Getting into College “This book is a must read in an era of rising tuition and falling admission rates. O’Shaughnessy offers good advice with blessed clarity and brevity.” —Jay Mathews, Washington Post Education Writer and Columnist “I would recommend any parent of a college-bound student read The College Solution.” —Kal Chany, Author, The Princeton Review’s Paying for College Without Going Broke “The College Solution goes beyond other guidebooks in providing an abundance of information about how to afford college, in addition to how to approach the selection process by putting the student first.” —Martha “Marty” O’Connell, Executive Director, Colleges That Change Lives “Lynn O’Shaughnessy always focuses on what’s in the consumer’s best interest, telling families how to save money and avoid making costly mistakes.” —Mark Kantrowitz, Publisher, FinAid.org and Author, FastWeb College Gold “An antidote to the hype and hysteria about getting in and paying for college! O’Shaughnessy has produced an excellent overview that demystifies the college planning process for students and families.” —Barmak Nassirian, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers For millions of families, the college planning experience has become extremely stressful. And, unless your child is an elite student in the academic top 1%, most books on the subject won’t help you. Now, however, there’s a college guide for everyone. In The College Solution, top personal finance journalist Lynn O’Shaughnessy presents an easy-to-use roadmap to finding the right college program (not just the most hyped) and dramatically reducing the cost of college, too. Forget the rankings! Discover what really matters: the quality and value of the programs your child wants and deserves. O’Shaughnessy uncovers “industry secrets” on how colleges actually parcel out financial aid—and how even “average” students can maximize their share. Learn how to send your kids to expensive private schools for virtually the cost of an in-state public college...and how promising students can pay significantly less than the “sticker price” even at the best state universities. No other book offers this much practical guidance on choosing a college...and no other book will save you as much money! • Secrets your school’s guidance counselor doesn’t know yet The surprising ways colleges have changed how they do business • Get every dime of financial aid that’s out there for you Be a “fly on the wall” inside the college financial aid office • U.S. News & World Report: clueless about your child Beyond one-size-fits-all rankings: finding the right program for your teenager • The best bargains in higher education Overlooked academic choices that just might be perfect for you

Be prepared to deal with campus situations that involve students in emotional crisis College Students in Distress provides college personnel with invaluable information on how to identify and refer emotionally troubled students for professional counseling. Dr. Bruce S. Sharkin, a staff psychologist at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania, addresses general warning signs of student distress, symptoms of specific psychological problems such as anxiety and depression, guidelines for interventions, and methods of making a referral for counseling. The book also examines current mental health issues for college students and provides an overview of common campus policies and procedures, such as psychological emergencies, withdrawal and readmission, and mandatory counseling. College Students in Distress provides the answers you need to manage difficultand potentially dangeroussituations on campus. Case examples based on real-life experiences give you a clear sense of what can happen when responding to students in emotional distress, particularly when dealing with specific issues and student populations, and will help in your efforts to review and/or revise the current practices of your school. This unique book is essential as a resource and referral guide that raises awareness of this growing national problem without being limited to the characteristics of a particular college or university. Topics examined in College Students in Distress include: the impact of mental health problems on academics the roles and functions of college counseling services indicators of emotional disturbance suicidal behavior self-inflicted harm eating disorders guidelines for intervention accommodations for students with psychological disabilities and much more College Students in Distress is a must-read for faculty and staff members, particularly those working in residential life, student health, and public safety, and for administrative offices within student services and student affairs.

Written by two experienced college mental health professionals, this practical nuts-and-bolts guide for parents of prospective and current college students offers an insider's view of the realities and complexities of today's campus life. Recognizing that college students rank their parents as their primary source of support and advice, the authors provide parents with the specific information and recommendations they need to offer the best assistance possible. In this book, parents will learn about the most significant factors to be considered in making a wise decision about college selection, about the process of making a successful transition to college, about the potential pitfalls inherent in college life, and the warning signs and risk factors for psychological distress. In addition, parents will become acquainted with the protective factors and the resources available on the campus that enhance academic success and persistence to graduation, as well as emotional health and well-being. Throughout, parents will learn to distinguish between those situations in which they should intervene directly and those in which they should offer support from the sidelines. Parents will be able to help their student make their time in college a joyful, productive, and ultimately successful experience.