Frequently asked questions about consulting services
How is the intake process going and how much time passes from the date of application and until commencement of treatment?
After the initial application to counseling services, you will be invited to an introductory session (intake session). Based on this session (sometimes two may be required) you will be directed to the most appropriate treatment for you, with an effort to adapt the treatment days and hours to your schedule. During the first semester the intake is relatively quick. In about 3 weeks from the day of intake you will be referred to treatment. During the second semester there are less available treatment hours and the waiting time is prolonged.
Who are the therapists in the service? How would I know that I am treated by an experienced professional?
Counseling services staff includes psychologists, clinical social workers and interns in clinical psychology. The interns are psychologists with M.A. degree who provide treatment under guidance. In addition, there are several students in their clinical psychology M.A. studies. Based on the intake session and after discussion among the psychologists, a decision about the appropriate treatment is made: the required level of experience, specific expertise, and more.
Is the treatment in Counseling Services kept confidential or is the information disclosed to the University?
The Counseling Services are committed to confidentiality, in accordance with the Psychologists Law. We do not report to anyone who is being treated and what happens during the treatment. There is no relation between the treatment and University studies. If the student wishes to disclose this information to various entities (a new therapist outside of the Counseling Services, or contacting lecturers due to a crisis situation), he must sign a waiver of confidentiality, and only then the information can be disclosed.
When should I seek treatment? Does seeking treatment mean that I have acute mental disorder?
Today psychotherapy is a socially accepted way to deal with the complexity of life, hardships and difficulties posed by modern society. The combination of studies, family, career, livelihood and various pressures in Israeli society may create a great deal of mental stress. In these situations the therapy allows a "timeout" for introspection and acquisition of various tools allowing to cope with them. The treatment is very effective in cases of anxiety and depression, which are very common. Psychotherapy is effective for various mental disorders, but you do not have to suffer from any disorder in order to seek treatment.
How long does therapy take?
The duration of treatment depends on the nature of the problem, the goal of treatment and the type of treatment offered: Patients in crisis may be offered a crisis intervention treatment, which aims to return them to normal function and requires about 6-8 sessions. Patients dealing with different types of anxiety who want to focus on its treatment are offered a short course of cognitive behavioral therapy, up to 15 meetings. Patients dealing with more complex questions, such as difficulty in social relationships, identity questions, etc., are offered a long-term individual therapy of 1-2 years.
Does the therapy really help?
Numerous studies have shown that psychotherapy is more efficient than lack of therapy. In other words, many problems do not resolve by themselves, and even if one can cope without treatment, it often involves great efforts and heavy personal prices. The treatment offered in the Counseling Services is based on extensive and up-to-date knowledge. We collect data about improvement in problems of our patients, and the findings suggest that indeed there is a significant improvement among them. However, psychotherapy is not the only solution, and there are patients who do not benefit from it. In these cases we recommend to seek other types of assistance.
Frequently asked questions about consulting services
How is the intake process going and how much time passes from the date of application and until commencement of treatment?
After the initial application to counseling services, you will be invited to an introductory session (intake session). Based on this session (sometimes two may be required) you will be directed to the most appropriate treatment for you, with an effort to adapt the treatment days and hours to your schedule. During the first semester the intake is relatively quick. In about 3 weeks from the day of intake you will be referred to treatment. During the second semester there are less available treatment hours and the waiting time is prolonged.
Who are the therapists in the service? How would I know that I am treated by an experienced professional?
Counseling services staff includes psychologists, clinical social workers and interns in clinical psychology. The interns are psychologists with M.A. degree who provide treatment under guidance. In addition, there are several students in their clinical psychology M.A. studies. Based on the intake session and after discussion among the psychologists, a decision about the appropriate treatment is made: the required level of experience, specific expertise, and more.
Is the treatment in Counseling Services kept confidential or is the information disclosed to the University?
The Counseling Services are committed to confidentiality, in accordance with the Psychologists Law. We do not report to anyone who is being treated and what happens during the treatment. There is no relation between the treatment and University studies. If the student wishes to disclose this information to various entities (a new therapist outside of the Counseling Services, or contacting lecturers due to a crisis situation), he must sign a waiver of confidentiality, and only then the information can be disclosed.
When should I seek treatment? Does seeking treatment mean that I have acute mental disorder?
Today psychotherapy is a socially accepted way to deal with the complexity of life, hardships and difficulties posed by modern society. The combination of studies, family, career, livelihood and various pressures in Israeli society may create a great deal of mental stress. In these situations the therapy allows a "timeout" for introspection and acquisition of various tools allowing to cope with them. The treatment is very effective in cases of anxiety and depression, which are very common. Psychotherapy is effective for various mental disorders, but you do not have to suffer from any disorder in order to seek treatment.
How long does therapy take?
The duration of treatment depends on the nature of the problem, the goal of treatment and the type of treatment offered: Patients in crisis may be offered a crisis intervention treatment, which aims to return them to normal function and requires about 6-8 sessions. Patients dealing with different types of anxiety who want to focus on its treatment are offered a short course of cognitive behavioral therapy, up to 15 meetings. Patients dealing with more complex questions, such as difficulty in social relationships, identity questions, etc., are offered a long-term individual therapy of 1-2 years.
Does the therapy really help?
Numerous studies have shown that psychotherapy is more efficient than lack of therapy. In other words, many problems do not resolve by themselves, and even if one can cope without treatment, it often involves great efforts and heavy personal prices. The treatment offered in the Counseling Services is based on extensive and up-to-date knowledge. We collect data about improvement in problems of our patients, and the findings suggest that indeed there is a significant improvement among them. However, psychotherapy is not the only solution, and there are patients who do not benefit from it. In these cases we recommend to seek other types of assistance.