What is Counseling Services?
Counseling Services is a department within the division of Student Affairs. We are staffed by professional psychologists and counselors trained to help you acquire more effective skills for coping with the challenges and problems of living. Our staff is committed to meeting the special needs of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including differences of culture, race, gender, ability and sexual orientation.
Counseling Services provides psychotherapy and counseling to students coping with educational, personal, and/or interpersonal issues; offers crisis intervention for residential students; and serves as a practicum site for students enrolled in masters-level clinical psychology and related programs.
The office provides sexual assault counseling and advocacy for students, and alcohol and drug information to the campus community. The counseling staff is committed to helping students adjust to living and learning in a university environment and to realize their worth and potential. Student counseling is conducted in a private setting, and all information remains confidential according to Illinois law.
Counseling Services is located in the Counseling and Health Services office suite on the garden level of the Student Success Center in Room 0220.
What is counseling?
Counseling can involve short-term problem resolution or longer, more intensive psychotherapy. It can be useful to those with mild difficulty in their lives as well as those with more serious or longstanding problems. A variety of concerns, such as relationships, self-image, depression, values, eating disorders, and alcohol or drug dependency can be discussed in counseling.
Who can use Counseling Services?
Services are available to all SIUE students currently enrolled in 3 or more credit hours who have paid tuition and student fees. Consultation and crisis services are available to students, faculty and staff at SIUE.
How do I know if I need counseling?
People seek counseling for a wide range of problems. For example, some people come to get help with a difficult decision and others come because they feel overwhelmed by the stressors in their lives. Some common reasons for coming to counseling include relationship problems, academic anxieties, feeling unusually sad, irritability, sleep problems, eating problems, having a hard time paying attention, feeling lonely, suicidal thoughts, and worrying too much. If you are not sure that you need counseling but think it might help, give us a call and try it out.
How do I get started?
Come in or call Counseling Services at 650-2197. We will ask you to fill out some paperwork and then we will schedule your first appointment. Please read our appointments information for more details.
How much does counseling cost?
Our services are free to students currently enrolled in 3 or more credit hours who have paid tuition and fees.
Where is the Counseling Services located?
We are located in the Student Success Center, Lower Level, in the Counseling and Health Services suite Room 0220. The Student Success Center is adjacent and connected to the Morris University Center. Please read our contact information for more details.
When is the Counseling Services open?
Our hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
How many sessions am I eligible for?
In general, counseling is limited to 15 sessions per academic year; however, adjustments may be made as needed. Counseling Services reserves the right to refer clients for counseling elsewhere as may be clinically indicated.
Is my spouse or partner eligible for services?
Your spouse or partner is eligible for services only if he/she is an enrolled student or if he/she is in couples counseling with a registered student.
Can I get medication if I need it?
Counseling Services has a part-time psychiatrist on staff to assist with the medication needs of our clients. Your counselor will decide whether or not to refer you to the psychiatrist. Our psychiatrist is available only to ongoing clients of Counseling Services; students who want medication but not counseling will be referred to other providers.
What about confidentiality?
Counseling services are confidential. We will not give any information to anyone without your written consent. This includes your parents and other offices or departments in the university. Our records are defined as confidential medical records by both state and federal law. We keep records for seven years, and then they are shredded. There are a few exceptions to the rules of confidentiality. These include cases of child or elder abuse or neglect, court orders to release information, or situations where we believe the client is a serious and immediate danger to self or others. Please feel free to discuss your questions about privacy and confidentiality with your counselor. Please read our policies information for more details.
What services do we offer?
Our primary service is individual student counseling for a wide variety of problems and issues. We also offer couple counseling and consultation services. Through our campus outreach program we offer a variety of workshops and presentations. We also have a sexual assault prevention program.
What if I have an drug or alcohol problem?
Personal problems related to substance use are frequently addressed in counseling. For more information, please see the Alcohol and Drug Policy.
What do I do if there is a mental health emergency?
Counseling Services provides crisis intervention for students who are experiencing a mental health crisis. During normal working hours, students may call 650-2197 to request a same day appointment to discuss urgent situations. Our staff is available for emergencies and consultations from 8:00 to 4:30 M-F during the regular school year. For assistance after normal working hours, call SIUE Campus Police at 911. Please read our emergency information for more details.
What if I have to cancel or reschedule an appointment?
Call 650-2197 to cancel or reschedule. We require that you call 24 hours in advance so that we can schedule someone else for that hour. Your active participation in the counseling process is necessary for progress to be made. Repeatedly missed or cancelled appointments may result in a discontinuation of services and a referral to a more appropriate health service provider.
Q: Can I get medication for mental health issues at Counseling Services?
A: Maybe. Students with mental health concerns are eligible to speak with a counselor at Counseling Services. After a counselor has established an ongoing therapeutic relationship with a student and has thoroughly assessed his or her situation, the counselor will decide whether medication may be an appropriate treatment option. Counseling Services has a part-time psychiatrist on staff to address the medication needs of current clients. The psychiatrist provides services only to eligible clients referred by a counselor at Counseling Services.
Q: What should I do if I’d like to speak with a counselor about my concerns and my interest in medication?
A: If you are not currently working with a counselor at Counseling Services and you would like to set up an appointment, the first step is to complete the intake forms by either:
Coming by our office between 9am and 3pm to fill it out and set up an appointment. We are located near the stop light by the entrance to Cougar Village. For directions, please call our office at (618) 650-2197.
Download the intake paperwork from our website here. Please print the intake forms and fill them out in blue or black ink. Please bring them when you come to Counseling Services office to schedule your first appointment. To protect confidentiality, please do not e-mail or fax the forms to Counseling Services.
Q: What should I do if I’m already working with a counselor at Counseling Services?
A: If you are already working with a therapist at Counseling Services, discuss your interest in medication with your counselor. Your counselor will decide whether or not to refer you to the psychiatrist for a psychiatric assessment.
Q: Can I get psychiatric medication at SIUE without seeing a counselor?
A: No. Students who want medication are not eligible to see the psychiatrist at Counseling Services unless they are ongoing clients at Counseling Services.
Q: Where can I get psychiatric medication if I don’t want to see a counselor?
A: Many family doctors are willing to prescribe basic psychiatric medications. There are also a number of local psychiatrists in the Edwardsville area. We will be happy to refer you to anyone of them.
Q: What should I do if I run out of my psychiatric medication?
A: Please contact your previous provider. In the case of an emergency, please go to the nearest emergency room.