Clinical Services

Mission

We realize that you come to the College Internship Program with your own history of setbacks and successes, experiences with education and therapy, and expectations for your future. The mission of the clinical program is to assist you in understanding your past, and your Learning Differences and to reframe these into new goals building upon your assets. This will help you to establish a solid foundation for a fulfilling, productive future.

Support for Success

The counseling program provides essential support and direction for you as you strive to take charge of your life, acknowledge and accept your own strengths and areas to improve in, set clear goals for yourself, and then go forward to accomplish them. This process is challenging for most young adults. The past and present impact of your Asperger’s and Nonverbal Learning Differences make the task that much more difficult. As a college student, you will participate in individual and group counseling to help you master this crucial process of personal growth. All therapists are licensed and have experience working with students with Asperger’s Syndrome and Nonverbal Learning Differences.

Individual Counseling

Individual counseling involves a confidential, caring relationship in which you receive confirmation and guidance to deal with day-to-day frustrations and challenges and then learn more about your ability to shape and manage your life. You will meet with the counselor twice per week.

Often, coaching is an aspect of therapy. Typical areas of this personal work include:

• Self-advocacy
• Self-esteem
• Self-confidence
• Exploring feelings
• Assertiveness
• Forming social relationships
• Problem solving
• Effective communication

The emphasis is on acceptance of self and others while maximizing psychological potential. Through links with your advisor, academic, career and residential coordinators, your counselor can help you to generalize these skills so that you can access them in real life situations.

Group Counseling

Group counseling provides a safe, supportive setting for you to talk with other students about important topics in your development. In the course of these discussions, you may share common concerns, give and receive feedback, improve social and communication skills and develop healthy relationships. Through the therapeutic process, you will learn to develop self-acceptance, self-advocacy, and assertiveness skills.

Consulting Psychiatric Services

Medication can be an important therapeutic support for some students. If medication is a helpful tool for you, a consulting psychiatrist will meet with you to assure that your medication continues to be safe and effective. You will be encouraged to be self-medicating to be at CIP, however, a Medication Coordinator will meet with you once a week to help you keep your medications organized.

Consulting Medical Services

Students are referred to local physicians and specialists for any medical issues. You will utilize your own insurance or your family will be billed directly for these services.