Our counseling journey: Let us walk together

PsyBites!

2011-06-02T18:39:00.000-07:00

Watch out for PsyBites! Because it bites!

p.s.: For more information, please check out Berjaya UCH notice board.

Mental Health Awareness Campaign

2011-05-02T23:53:00.000-07:00

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health America has been celebrating "May is Mental Health Month" since year 1949.

This year, Student Counseling Services Unit at Berjaya UCH would like join the celebration of mental health month to raise awareness of mental wellness among our students.

Take a stress test or a depression screener at Live Well! website, (main theme of Mental Health Awareness Month 2011)

Link:
Look around the campus for more exciting activities, educational posters, free brochures this month.

What's happening in our Mental Health Awareness Campaign

Week 1: Promoting Mental Health Awareness Month
(Yes, posters are everywhere in our campus now).

Week 2: All about adjustment
(As we grow, and we need to adjust to our surroundings accordingly.
Learn how to adjust yourself in a healthy and positive way.)

Week 3: Depression
(What is depression? Is "emo-ing" depression? Is it right to feel sad sometimes?)

Week 4: Coping with Stress
(Stress, stress, stress. Learn how to cope with your stress.)
**Workshop available, learn how to cope with your stress and have a hands-on experience of relaxation technique with our in-house counseling psychologist. Registration required. **

Week 5: Counseling Awareness Week (till June)

Relationship Talk

2011-02-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

Click for more information (bigger resolution).

P.s.: Due to time constraint for this short semester, the next talk would be held on 2nd of March, focusing on handling study stress.

2011

2011-01-09T22:37:00.000-08:00

Happy new year!

Welcome back! :) The campus had been quiet for a while without you. Yes, we worked throughout your holiday. Some of the staff also had a short break as well. Anyway, it is good to have you back to the campus.

This is the beginning of a new year, as year 2010 passed by, the first week of year 2011 passed by too. The new students had their orientation week in the first week of year 2011. Have you ever wonder why year 2010 passed by so quickly and what had you done in year 2010? Gasp!

Did you take some time to reflect on year 2010?

To kick-start the new year with more exciting activities, Student Counseling Services planned a series of workshops and talks to help you grow (inner growth, we mean, sorry that we really can't do much about the physical part~)

In January: Small Groups (Group Therapy)

1) Reflection of Life, Planning a New Beginning
(suitable for anybody who wishes to have a new start and aims to have a more purposeful life).

2) Self-Discovery
(Learning more about yourself in a fun way).

In January: Talk

Love, from the Psychological Perspective
(Back by popular demand, learn more about love).

In February: Talk

Relationship: Why do People Breakup and
How to Maintain a Good Relationship

(Love talk. Part II. Learn more about maintaining a good relationship.
It is not about Boy-Girl Relationship only.)

In February: Workshop

Mentors (Peer Counselors) Training: Level II
(For those who have attended basic mentoring training)

In March: Talk

Coping with Stress
Learn how to manage your stress better.

In March: Workshop

Mentors (Peer Counselors) Training Level I
We are looking for more students who are willing to help others by lending others their listening ears. Equip yourself with basic counseling skills training and learn how to help others effectively.

If you are interested, please contact Ms. Coral.
Email: coral@berjaya.edu.my or coralcounselor@gmail.com

For more information, please contact your counselor at Department of Student Services.

Stress?

2010-07-25T19:47:00.000-07:00

Hey, guys.

How's your study and preparation for exam? Hope everyone of you is doing well. Strive for the best for your exam. It will pay off someday.

It may not be the first time you sit for an exam (the first time maybe was in kindergarten, right?). Yet, some of us still feel very nervous before going into exam hall and sit for our exam. You may still feel your heart pounding faster, dizzy, or stomach cramp. Underlying all these symptoms, it is stress.

Stress, is not necessary bad. Each one of us need some trials and positive stresses to help us grow, motivate us to do better. Imagine a life without stress... Everything would be peaceful, everything would not worry you anymore; you don't have to worry about your stress anymore. After a while, life would be absolutely boring.

One way to combat stress is to learn how to cope with it. There are so many alternatives which you can search for, by using Google. However, I always think the most important part is our attitude. Think positively, have faith in yourself, and take it as a challenge. If you need help, seek help from your family members, friends, and even from Dept. of Student Services :) why not?

We are all created in a way which we need to work and rest in our lives. To achieve the optimum level of happiness, we need to work diligently and rest well. (e.g. an example of resting more than enough is to sleep for 12 hours a day and feel dizzy and sick after you wake up.)

I know preparing for an exam is tough (I've been there too ^^, it'll be over after 1-2 week(s)
Yet, don't forget to: Eat Well, Sleep Well, Worry Less, and Try Your Best.

Last but not least,
A fun thing I suggest you to do~*
Check your stress level HERE: Cohen's Stress Scale

With Big Hug,
your college counselor
Coral

Counseling Services are available full time now.

2010-05-09T19:48:00.000-07:00

Hi, guys.

Counseling services are available again. It means, we could start to discuss about your career profile, conduct some counseling sessions together. For those who missed something last semester or new students, e.g. mentor-mentee training workshop, we will conduct the training again this semester. (p.s. New mentors needed. For those who are interested, please come and look for me), then you may use this badge in your blog/website/FB after the training session:

Special badge for mentors.

This also means that from now on, you could book your appointment online or drop me an e-mail, or look for me in Department of Student Services. Student Counseling Unit will to conduct some exciting talks this semester: combating study stress, personality, psychological talks, etc (we may also try to re-conduct the 'Love: from the psychological perspective' talk again for the juniors, as your seniors loved it and recommend to conduct it again, and they're looking forward for the part 2.) You could suggest some interesting topics as well. :)

If you feel that you need someone to talk to,
a listening ear is always there for you,
preparing to hear what is going on in your life,
what you heart may have been trying to tell you.
We will walk the journey together,
a nourishing journey of personal growth.

Sessions will be conducted by well-trained and equipped professional counselor.
(Private and confidential)

Notice: About your career profile

2010-04-24T02:23:00.000-07:00

Hi, guys.

Thanks for spending your time to complete the career profile in your orientation!

If you're interested to come for a career counseling session, and also to find out more about your career profile,

Please e-mail me : coralcounselor@gmail.com

p.s. for seniors who haven't come for their career counseling yet, you could also drop me an e-mail. Thanks.

The Counseling Rooms

2010-03-01T19:23:00.000-08:00

We have a proper individual counseling room and a group counseling room. Comfortable and therapeutic setting. For more information about counseling, please refer to this link.

Musing...

2010-03-01T18:04:00.000-08:00

Life. Puzzle-like?

Sometimes, it seems like there is a lot of uncertainties in life. It is as if you were holding a piece of puzzle, and you could not find the other pieces of puzzles. How would the big picture look like?

Sometimes, you may feel the surroundings around you seems not so helpful or supportive for you to see the whole picture. It is as if life leaves you no choice.

Sometimes, your intuition or feelings may tell you what is right. If it was not the right choice, you may feel discomfort after making a decision. The truth is, you'll always have a choice. It may be a choice of staying or leaving, it may be a choice of complete it or starting it all over, it may be a choice of solving a problem or avoiding it.

Are you on the right path?

However, a good choice should be aligned with your core values and philosophies of life. Imagine if your car's alignment is tilted, would it lead you through a straight path?

Announcement for Talk: Your Life Story

2010-01-26T22:50:00.000-08:00

How are you going to write yours?

Dear all,

There's a talk on next Thursday (4th February), 5-6pm.
Title: Your Life Story: How to plan yours?
(Personal Development talk)
Venue: To be confirmed

What is life story?

Everyone has a life story. The story began when you were still a baby.

Your parents played important roles in helping to shape your life story when you were young.

When you get older, your siblings (brothers and sisters) and friends became more important to you. Directly / indirectly, your life may be affected by them.

Now, you're in college. You seem to have more controls over your life. What's next? How are you going to shape your life story?

Join the talk to explore more about yourself.

Welcome back. What's new?

2010-01-19T20:12:00.000-08:00

Hey, guys!

Welcome back, guys. For all the new students, welcome to your first year in college.

For this new semester, I designed a new career profile to aid you in your career path.

Some of you may wonder why, since it's still early for you to think about what you will do after you graduate. After filling in your career profile, we will meet up for a short session (around 30 minutes) to explain to you about your strengths and your weaknesses, and how you could improve to achieve your career goals.

This will also help us to get some feedback from you, in order for us to offer the suitable workshops and seminars for your professional and personal development. It's F.O.C. (You could find some similar career tests on jobstreet and other websites, but they will charge you for the report and analysis.)

(2) Our Counseling Journey: Newsletter

Now, you can grab a copy of Our Counseling Journey Newsletter at the front desk or library.
Get a copy now.

(3) Group Therapy

Sign up for the group therapy for a psychological self-exploration. It's fun and exciting to share your thoughts and grow together in a safe environment.

First Group: Self-Exploration (starting from 3rd February, 2010)
4.00pm (every Tuesday) - Exploring more about yourself.

2nd Group: Love (starting from 10th February, 2010)
4.00pm (every Thursday) - Relationship? Something sweet, something bitter. It may be a relationship between 2 people, or a relationship with your friends or family. Prepare your mind and learn about how to communicate in a relationship.

-There will be more groups later. If you would like to join a group but the group's time is clashed with your class, please contact Coral to fix a time for your group.

(4) Mentor-Mentee Program

Dept. of Student Services will launch the mentor-mentee program in the campus. Seniors will guide the juniors, and seniors will be guided by our department.

Mentoring is a relationship. "Mentoring is to support and encourage people to manage their own learning in order that they may maximise their potential, develop their skills, improve their performance and become the person they want to be." Eric Parsloe, The Oxford School of Coaching & Mentoring.

Basically, mentors will become the 'big-bros' for the mentees. :) There will be a mentor training program coming up soon.

Happy holiday and Merry Christmas

2009-12-15T01:44:00.000-08:00

Dear students,

Good luck for your last papers. We know that examinations are tough, but you've made it. For those who've finished their exams, well done and enjoy your holiday :)

Happy Holiday and Merry Christmas!!!

Announcement: Make your counseling appointment online

2009-12-02T21:54:00.000-08:00

Hi!!!

Now, introducing a very cool online tool for you to make a counseling appointment with Ms Coral. You can book an appointment online, anytime, anywhere.

You could choose to attend a counseling session, (guidance or consultation) on Tuesday or Wednesday from 9am-6pm. After the reservation, please meet her at the Department of Student Services on the time you booked. Ms. Coral will contact you for confirmation of reservation.

Please check it out by clicking the image at your right. Thanks :)

Overcome Shyness

2009-11-18T19:34:00.000-08:00

When you were a kid, you may hide from strangers, those uncles and aunties you've never met before, and your mom forced you to call them 'uncle' or 'auntie'. You don't even know them. You may cry or throw tantrum. Your mom may say, "he/she's just a bit shy."

Well, after a while, you may feel like you still feel shy sometimes because deep inside you, you're trying to protect yourself.

Shyness is something you could overcome.
Learn more about it.

Find out about the causes, consequencse, how the loved one and psychologists could help
through this link.
Or download the brochure here (pdf file)

Other recommended sites:
Shake Your Shyness
by a clinical psychologist

and Shyness.com

What stopped us from wanting to know more?

2009-11-02T19:15:00.000-08:00

As little children, we used to ask a lot of questions when we were young.
"Why is the sky blue?"
"Why this thing looks like this?"
"What is the man doing in the movie?"
"Why can't I eat this?"

Somehow, after being asked a lot of questions, adults may feel frustrated and try to avoid our questions.

Then, we learned not to ask too much questions, because adults always keep quiet. We thought we may look smarter if we kept quiet. It's true that no one would know if we did not know something, being silent may be a good way to hide our ignorance.

We were taught, "Don’t touch. Don’t climb. Don’t yell. Don’t take that apart. Don’t get dirty. Don’t. Don’t. Don’t." -these disapproval stopped us from wanting to know more because we are fear of being rejected (Perry, 2001).

Dr Perry also stated the 2 other elements which may affect our learning process when we were young (honestly, your life now is related to your childhood/past): Fear and Absence of care from parents/caretakers.

This is a very interesting chart taken from his article about learning process of children:

Curiosity	results in	Exploration
Exploration	results in	Discovery
Discovery	results in	Pleasure
Pleasure	results in	Repetition
Repetition	results in	Mastery
Mastery	results in	New Skills
New Skills	results in	Confidence
Confidence	results in	Self esteem
Self esteem	results in	Sense of Security
Security	results in	More Exploration

Please don't blame our parents or teachers for not giving enough chances for us to learn more and explore more. Forgive them as we may make the same mistake too.

The good news is we are still living, and there is always a chance to learn while you are still breathing. ^_^

Reading books is not the only way to learn.

I've found out that in WiseGeek, you can even...

Learn about what does 200 Calories look like.

A few examples:

Baby Carrots
570 grams = 200 Calories

Honeydew Melon
553 grams = 200 Calories

Coca Cola
496 ml = 200 Calories

Of course, you could find out more than this online...

It's time for a new talk

2009-10-20T20:34:00.000-07:00

Topic:
Making Friends, Not Enemies:
Develop Mature and Long-Lasting Friendships

Date: 28th October 2009
Time: 5.00pm
Venue: Lecture Theater

Please contact Ms Coral for further information: coralcounselor@gmail.com

Need more doses of inspiration?

2009-10-13T19:30:00.001-07:00

Pic of Fluorfilms

College life is tough, I know.
And most people won't tell you.

When you have lots of assignments, sometimes you feel like lots of problems flooding over you which distracted you from study and completing assignments before the deadlines. Sometimes, you feel like you really planned and you wanted to complete all your assignments before deadlines. Sometimes, problems just came without warning and you feel like nobody is there for you. You may feel overwhelmed.

Maybe it's not so right.

When you need some guidance, there's somebody who's always there for you.

When you need some inspirations, here are a few websites for you !!! (Look what I've found :)

AND

Fubiz.net

Stay tune for the next surprise...

Psychologies' How-to guide for personal growth

2009-09-29T23:32:00.000-07:00

Want to learn to improve your life-skills in just a few easy steps?

I've found the online manual in Psychologies magazine website, which is quite helpful. You can check it out by clicking the banner above.

Learn about:
How to beat your exam nerves
How to spot a lie
How to be a good listener
How to win an argument
How to be lucky
How to turn your bad day into a good day,
etc, etc, etc...

If you prefer to watch a video and learn it in an interactive way, check out

It's free, and some of the videos are quite hilarious. You can even learn how to be a perfect girlfriend/boyfriend How to prevent credit card fraud, how can you make a good first impression, how to save money, etc, etc, etc...

eHow is a good website which provides you how-to step by step information. In the same time, their video section is also a good resource for self-improvement.

You can even learn how to attract consumers, how to tango, how to lose weight, how to cook, how to write a CV, etc, etc, etc...

Body Language: What you can't hide

2009-09-02T00:03:00.000-07:00

Body language is essential in human communications.

It consists of 65%-90% in every conversation.

Just imagine, babies can't talk. How do they communicate?

They use body language: Cry

This lady is touching her leg, what does it mean?

Even dogs have body language too.

It's interesting, isn't it?

Find out more from next Wednesday talk (09.09.09)
5.30p.m. in Lecture Theater
Body Language: What you can't hide

Brought to you by Ms. Coral.
DoSS

Before you attend the talk, you may like to test how well you could read body language.
Try out this test: Can you spot fake smiles? BBC

Launching the new counseling rooms

2009-08-10T19:46:00.000-07:00

Dear all,

We finally have our own counseling rooms, not one, but two. I am very grateful about it. The rooms are very comfortable, and the atmosphere is good, so your privacy is more ensured now.

Where are them? Well, top secret. ;)

I will upload some pictures later, I need a better camera to ensure a better shot.

Some of you may have some misconceptions about counseling.

Misconception No.1 : Counseling is for people who have 'mental problems' or 'psychological problems'.

Well, if people have 'mental problems' or 'psychological problems', they would most probably go to visit a doctor or a psychiatrist. :)

Counseling is for personal growth and self-development. There are different types of issues you could discuss with your counselor, e.g. yourself, your future direction, your family, your bf/gf, your classmate, or anything which concerns you and you need somebody to talk to.

Misconception No.2 : I have some problems, I don't know who to talk to. But, if I talk to my counselor, will she/he tell somebody else? My lecturer? My parents? My friends? Or other people?

Don't worry. Your secrets are safe with us. As professional counselors, we are trained to keep your secrets, and not to reveal your secrets to anyone as "XXX is having a big problem". Everything you say in the counseling session is private and confidential.

We will try our best to protect you and your secrets, unless you have a feeling of wanting to 'sleep and never wake up anymore' or homicidal thoughts, or abuse others, or abused by others, or ordered by the court (which rarely happened in our country, unless there is a crime), we have the responsibility to inform the third party about your intention.

Which means, you are safe to tell us what you want to tell.

Misconception No.3 :I don't think I have some major problems, but I have certain things which I need some help from others, but my friends don't understand me, I'm sure counselors may not understand me too.

Instead of cracking your head and thinking about everything all by yourself (which did not work well for you), you may need a pair of listening ears, a person who is skillfully equipped with psychological knowledge, and a clearer picture (or analysis) of your situation as a 3rd person - a counselor!

Misconception No.4 :I have some habits which I need to overcome. I want to become a better person. Maybe I should read some self-help books and waiting to see how they work for me.

Reading self-help books are good for you. But, you often found that you felt very motivated in the beginning. When you finished the whole book, you may still feel motivated. However, after one week or two, you may forget about everything the book told you and go back to your old lifestyle.

Maybe some of us did not even realize that we need to change. With the help of a counselor, you'll get a tailor-made and personalized treatment plan, suited best with your conditions. With guidance from a counselor, your progress will also be monitored by her/him.

Don't be an island, let us walk together.

More soothing music

2009-06-08T01:28:00.000-07:00

Dear all,

Regarding to Hazwan's request, I found something more interesting than Youtube music. Anyway, you could still go to youtube for more soothing music through this link: Nature Sound on Youtube

You could also visit The California Library of Natural Sounds (CLNS)'s lovely website, Listening to nature for an inspiring journey through California's nature.

I also discovered a cool website, which allows you to mix and match the nature sounds, e.g. bird song, rain , river, oceans, etc. You could also enjoy its beautiful slide show while you listen to its nature sounds.

Check it out:

Self-Esteem Games

2009-05-07T18:40:00.000-07:00

"Imagine you could play a computer game for five minutes each morning that would help you feel more secure and confident in yourself." Self-Esteem Games.

How it works? The department of psychology in McGill University, Canada introduced a website called Self-Esteem Games. This games were developed by a few doctorate students under supervision of their associate professor, Mark Baldwin. They also published some research papers which showed that their games really worked.

Check out the games to boost your self-esteem:

2) How stress could affect your body, check out the interactive map of APA Help Center.

Explore your strengths

2009-04-14T19:59:00.000-07:00

What do you see when you look at yourself in the mirror?

What are your strengths? If somebody asked you, "So, tell me about your strengths." Would you tell the person confidently? Would you pause and hesitate for a while?

I would like to share the poem written by a well-known family therapist, Virginia Satir with you. You may feel your inner strengths when you read it out loud. Reading this poem aloud makes you aware of who you really are.

My Declaration of Self-Esteem

by Virginia Satir

I AM ME

In all the world, there is no one else exactly like me
Everything that comes out of me is authentically me
Because I alone chose it - I own everything about me
My body, my feelings, my mouth, my voice, all my actions,
Whether they be to others or to myself - I own my fantasies,
My dreams, my hopes, my fears - I own all my triumphs and
Successes, all my failures and mistakes Because I own all of
Me, I can become intimately acquainted with me - by so doing
I can love me and be friendly with me in all my parts - I know
There are aspects about myself that puzzle me, and other
Aspects that I do not know - but as long as I am
Friendly and loving to myself, I can courageously
And hopefully look for solutions to the puzzles
And for ways to find out more about me - However I
Look and sound, whatever I say and do, and whatever
I think and feel at a given moment in time is authentically
Me - If later some parts of how I looked, sounded, thought
And felt turn out to be unfitting, I can discard that which is
Unfitting, keep the rest, and invent something new for that
Which I discarded - I can see, hear, feel, think, say, and do
I have the tools to survive, to be close to others, to be
Productive to make sense and order out of the world of
People and things outside of me - I own me, and
therefore I can engineer me - I am me and

I AM OKAY

© Virginia Satir, 1975.

Found in Virginia Satir, Self Esteem, Celestial Arts: California, 1975.

P.S. You may choose to read it everyday and tell yourself you're okay. Or, you may even change the last sentence to "I AM GOOD".

You are good.

Affirm yourself daily with positive words or phrases, e.g. "I am good", "I am worthy", "I am beautiful", "I am handsome", "I love myself", "I respect myself", "I am a happy person", etc. Smile at yourself in the mirror maybe the first thing you want to do everyday after you wake up in the morning.

Some positive words you may like to use to describe yourself.

Stop telling yourself that you are not worthy or worse if compared with others. You ARE YOU, the only YOU in the planet who is totally unique. You could never find someone who is exactly like you, not even your twin sister or your twin brother.

List down your strengths on a piece of paper.
Feel good about yourself. :)

Here is a link of a psychological quiz you may like to try out:

Do you know how to protect yourself from life's knocks? by Psychologies.com

Combating exam stress

2009-03-10T18:38:00.000-07:00

Hi guys.

How is your study break? Hope that you able to catch some sleeps and take good care of your body. People are more vulnerable when they are under stress compared to normal stage. Take good care of your health so that you would not fall sick.

Remember what I said in our "Coping with Exam Stress" talk last week? When you are under stress, remember to ~BREATHE~ breathe in deeply and slowly, breathe in lungfuls of air... then you would realize that you gradually become less nervous, because deep breathing helps to slow down your heart rate and pulse. It helps you to relax. (p.s. for those who missed it, never mind. We will have something similar for the incoming students in next semester.)

BTW, I would like to share a video with you guys. It is a good clip for relaxation technique - deep breathing. Remember to close your eyes when you listen to it. :)

Of course, if you prefer some relaxing music to listen to, I would recommend this one: Nature is always good.

Good luck for your exam. Hope that you may pass your first semester with flying colours.

your counselor,
~Coral

Something about counseling

2009-02-25T07:53:00.000-08:00

Stressed?

No one could share your pain?

Feeling sad or depressed?

Losing / lost someone special?

Trying to find the meaning of life?

Perhaps you need somebody to talk to,
to give you some rays of hope,
some courage to go on...

We could work hand-in-hand together

It's time to balance your life...
It's time to put a real smile back on your face...

You are welcomed to drop by for a custom-made
individual counseling session or guidance

Or maybe, you enjoy working in a group?

Brief Information about Counseling:

Individual Counseling: one to one personal counseling session, you would discuss your issues with the counselor in a comfortable and helping environment (private and confidential). The counseling sessions might provide you a chance for personal growth and overcoming your stress positively. Each session would be approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Group Counseling: a process which 3-10 individuals meet weekly/ twice a week with a professional counselor to discuss specific issues (e.g. getting better grade, how to handle stress, knowing more about your personality, and other issues). Each session would be approximately to 1 hour or more.

Guidance and Consultation: You may walk-in to your counselor to ask for career and academic guidance / consultation. You may like to discover more about yourself and prepare yourself better for the challenging campus life and the outside world.

P.S. You can walk-in or e-mail to your counselor / Department of Student Services anytime to arrange an appointment with the counselor.