Coastal Life Counseling
Charlene Whetstone, MA, NCC, LPC

My qualifications as your Academic Counselor:

Licensed Professional Counselor
Master’s degree in Education – the University of Kansas, 1982
Master’s degree in Counseling – Sam Houston State University 2010
Extensive experience in college preparation and advising at high school and college levels since 1998.

At high school level:

Set up and ran college and career centers
Worked with colleges in the dual credit program
Created useful programs and information for college bound students that are still in use today.
Worked in advising, admissions, financial aid and scholarships.

At the college level:

Educational planning
Career counseling
Academic success programs
Probation counseling
Disabilities accommodations counselor
New student orientations

I have a strong belief in the abilities of each and every student and in addressing all issues in a positive “we can do this” manner using existing and potential resources.

Getting ready for college can be a daunting process for the student and for parents.

I believe that a comprehensive assessment of the student’s aspirations, abilities, and interests is necessary to help with major decisions you will be making now and in the future.  Counseling services can help by collaboratively and carefully creating a plan with you that is based on thorough evaluation of criteria that are important to success in seeking and gaining admission to a college of your choice.  These services may also help you in getting the degree you want, on the timeline you want.  My goal is to help you build a strong foundation for success in the transition to, attending, graduation from college and entering the workforce.

As your counselor I will work with you to gather information that is important in creating an informed plan for action.

This is done primarily by conducting assessments, interviews, and obtaining academic records. Information gathered can be used to help make decisions concerning choice of college, major, and careers.  The information can also guide in applications for admissions, scholarships, and financial aid.  It can aid in determining where skills need strengthening before the student begins his or her post-secondary education.

With this information and working collaboratively with the student and parents we can create an individualized plan that will help with:

• ACADEMIC Success
• CAREER planning, exploration
• College choice, applications, admissions, advising, financial aid, testing
• Preparation for TRANSITION to post secondary environment
• Preparation for SUCCESS in college:  let’s make it easy!
• Preparing for LIFE ON THE CAMPUS to have fun and be safe
• Prepare for GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT in areas of:
  • Self-esteem, confidence, assertiveness, responsibility, efficacy, locus of control
  • Utilizing strengths, confronting difficulties
  • Explore issues as needed such as:
    • Academic demands, expectations, reality vs. fantasy
    • Addictions, substance abuse
    • Adjustment to college
    • Anxiety (i.e.: general or test anxiety), panic attacks
    • Building boundaries
    • Career expectations, plans
    • Decision making
    • Depression or other dysfunctions in mental health
    • Diversity and its impact on learning, growth, and relationships
    • Family problems
    • Gender identity
    • Grief/loss issues
    • Locus of control
    • Procrastination, impulsiveness, compulsive behavior, etc.
    • Relationships, dating
    • Self-care
    • Sleep and exercise
    • Spirituality
    • Stress management
    • Time management