The Counseling Center provides FREE short-term individual counseling to currently enrolled students. Students who present with concerns that may require longer or more intensive treatment, or expertise not available in the Counseling Center, are assisted with a referral to off-campus practitioners who are able to provide such care.
Individual counseling is an opportunity to talk confidentially with a counselor about personal concerns and to facilitate your holistic development and pursuit of academic and personal goals. The counselor and client collaborate to define personal concerns to discuss and to reach mutually agreed upon goals for counseling. Concerns addressed may include:
Depression
Anxiety
Stress Management
Relationship Concerns
Family Concerns
Sleep Difficulties
Adjustment to College
Eating Concerns/Body Image
Grief and Loss
Sexuality/Gender Identity Issues
Identity Development
Self-Esteem / Confidence
Substance Use and Abuse (If this is your primary or only concern, consider meeting with the specialist in Wellness and Prevention Services .)
Distress or trauma caused by discrimination, oppression, or harassment
Isolation and Loneliness
Sessions are typically 45 minutes every other week. Most students experience improvement within 1 - 5 sessions. If needed, a referral to a private therapist or community service will be made as early as possible.
If getting started seems a little daunting, try Let's Talk! It's a brief and informal drop-in option to help familiarize yourself with the process counseling process.
The first step to take part in any on-campus counseling is to schedule an Initial Consultation by phone.
Call 828-262-3180 during business hours (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm) to schedule an Initial Consultation by phone.
Bring your Banner ID and some upcoming available times in mind when you call.
You will be sent a link to fill out forms, like background information and history of concerns.
The phone consultation will be with a counselor and will last approximately 20 minutes.
They will discuss your concerns and next steps, either through the Counseling Center or off-campus.
Individual Counseling
45 minute sessions, hosted every other week.
Confidential conversations with a counselor.
Work together to form goals for your sessions.
Address a wide variety of topics, ex: anxiety, depression, stress management, adjusting to college, substance use/abuse, relationship concerns, etc.
Depending on your needs, referral to a private therapist or outside resources may be made.
Group Counseling
Full-semester therapy groups
Weekly meetings.
Connection with peers struggling with similar problems.
Multiple different topics offered each semester, ex: DBT skills, Food/ Mood, Trauma Recovery, LGBTQQ+, etc.
Half semester skills groups
Meet for 4-5 weeks.
Focus on connection while gaining useful skills.
Quick Access groups
Hosted like a workshop, so less time commitment.
50 minute sessions, hosted weekly.
Focus on common mental health concerns.
Drop-In Support
Let's Talk Consultations
Provided on a first-come, first-service basis. No appointment needed!
Does not replace counseling services, but a great started point to familiarize yourself with the counseling process.
Offered in multiple locations on different days, including in our building D.D. Dougherty
Individual Counseling
45 minute sessions, hosted every other week.
Confidential conversations with a counselor.
Work together to form goals for your sessions.
Address a wide variety of topics, ex: anxiety, depression, stress management, adjusting to college, substance use/abuse, relationship concerns, etc.
Depending on your needs, referral to a private therapist or outside resources may be made.
Group Counseling
Full-semester therapy groups
Weekly meetings.
Connection with peers struggling with similar problems.
Multiple different topics offered each semester, ex: DBT skills, Food/ Mood, Trauma Recovery, LGBTQQ+, etc.
Half semester skills groups
Meet for 4-5 weeks.
Focus on connection while gaining useful skills.
Quick Access groups
Hosted like a workshop, so less time commitment.
50 minute sessions, hosted weekly.
Focus on common mental health concerns.
Drop-In Support
Let's Talk Consultations
Provided on a first-come, first-service basis. No appointment needed!
Does not replace counseling services, but a great started point to familiarize yourself with the counseling process.
Offered in multiple locations on different days.
In D.D. Dougherty on ***Mondays 2-3?***
Being referred to off-campus counseling doesn't define you or your mental health concerns. There are many reasons that someone may be referred to off-campus counseling. It's okay if on-campus counseling doesn't work for you! There are many options in the community, online, and off-campus that can be affordable options for you.
When considering an office or provider for counseling or therapy, it may be important to consider your insurance.
Many ACCESS students have Medicaid or Student Blue insurance plans. Understanding your plan and what is available to you can help save you time, money and stress.
Some questions to ask yourself when looking at your insurance plan:
What's covered under your plan?
Copays? Deductibles?
Does this company take your insurance? Are they within your network?