FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
THE COUNSELING PROCESS
Call us at 256-765-5215 to schedule an appointment for a day and time that works best with your schedule. Same-day appointments are available if you need to be seen that day!
SCS is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm during the Fall and Spring Semesters (Monday through Thursday from 7:30am to 4:30pm and Friday from 7:30am to 11:30am during Summer).
- Adjustment/transition
- Alcohol & other drug use
- Anger management
- Mood
- Eating & body-image
- Self-esteem
- Grief & loss
- Gender identity & expression
- Relationship conflicts
- Sexual & affectional orientation
- Spirituality
- Suicidality & safety
The first session is used for assessment and information-gathering. Plan to arrive 15-minutes early and expect to complete paperwork before your session begins. Your counselor will suggest the most appropriate level of care based on your needs from there!
Remember, our counseling services are confidential. Your counselor will provide more information about confidentiality and answer any questions you have during the first session, so feel free to share openly and honestly about what is going on with your emotional and mental health.
YES! Keeping records of service is necessary to comply with standards of care and fulfill legal and ethical requirements. All counseling records are maintained in strict compliance with laws and guidelines related to confidentiality. No record of counseling is part of your academic or your university file.
The staff of SCS meets weekly to consult as a Treatment Team on individual case development to maintain best-practice and determine recommendations including the need for off-campus referrals.
Release of information requires your written authorization, except as required by law. This means no information about your counseling will be communicated to anyone – including your parents or professors – without your signature on a release, except under the following circumstances:
- If you are determined to be an immediate danger to yourself or to others;
- If you disclose that someone is harming children, the elderly, disabled persons, or others whom cannot care for themselves;
- If we receive a court order.
Your specific questions concerning confidentiality can be answered by your counselor at your first session!
SERVICES
YES! Same-day services are available to provide immediate support for urgent mental health concerns to ensure timely care when needed the most.
NOTE: If you or someone you know is in crisis or experiencing a mental health emergency, walk-in to SCS and request to be seen. For after-hour crisis/emergency care, contact the University Police at 256-765-HELP (4357) or dial 9-1-1. Additional crisis & emergency information can be found here.
Nope! SCS does not have waitlist, thanks to our Stepped Care Model, which allows us to promptly assess and prioritize students' needs, ensuring timely access to appropriate care and support.