Frequently Asked Questions

When you initially call, you will usually schedule a brief phone consultation, or triage appointment, on the same day or within a few days. Assignment to an ongoing counselor tends to happen about a week later except during busy times of the year. The earlier in the year that you schedule with the Counseling Center, the less likely it is that you will have to wait to see a counselor. We do not have waiting lists. 

Your first individual counseling appointment is called an intake. Prior to this appointment, we will ask you to complete some paperwork, which will give us some general information about you. During the appointment, your provider will ask for detailed information about your background, complete a mental health screening, and discuss the reason(s) that brought you to the Counseling Center. After obtaining a fuller picture of your concerns, you and your provider will discuss treatment options and goals to address your concerns. 

During individual sessions, you will work with your provider to work toward the goals you identified during the intake appointment. This may involve exploring patterns, understanding relationships, or learning a new problem-solving or coping skill. 

Services at the Counseling Center is based on a short-term, brief model.

For students who need longer term, specialized treatment, referrals will be made to community providers; options are largely driven by insurance, but we have an updated list of community clinics and clinicians we can recommend. We can also help find referrals for those with limited or no insurance or desire out-of-pocket options. You can also search for providers on your own at Psychology Today or your health insurance web portal. 

There is no charge for Counseling Center services.  

If you are 18 years of age or older, unless you have signed a written release of information for the Counseling Center, our confidentiality policy does not permit the Counseling Center to disclose who is seen here without a client's permission. 

If you are worried about someone else's safety and want to know how to help them, please call us to consult.