Six Things To Know Before Your First Appointment
Whether you have already made an appointment or are just thinking about making one -- welcome!
Below are six things that students most often ask us about before their first appointment. If you have other questions, you'll probably find the answers by browzing this Web site, or you can ask a Counseling Center counselor. We look forward to meeting you!
ONE -- IS THIS CONFIDENTIAL?
Your conversations
with a Counseling Center counselor are confidential. To learn more about what
this means, visit our confidentiality
page.
TWO -- WHO WILL I MEET WITH?
First (or "intake")
counseling appointments
are available within a few days to a week of your call. Same-day emergency
appointments are available every day. When you come for a first appointment,
you will meet with a member of the core
staff. Please come on time so you can fill out some minimal paperwork
and have your full appointment with a counselor. You can discuss your concerns
with your counselor and explore your options for next steps. You will typically
not continue to meet with your initial counselor beyond a few sessions --
but he/she will help you connect with whatever ongoing support you need either
on-campus or off-campus.
THREE -- WHAT ABOUT ONGOING MENTAL HEALTH CARE?
Ongoing mental health care (such as psychotherapy or psychiatric care) is
considered a private health care responsibility, not a service generally
provided by the university. Ongoing treatment is readily available with private
practioners in the area, and a Counseling Center counselor can provide you
with referrals
and insurance information,
and help you get connected with an off-campus provider who is maximally appropriate,
accessible, and affordable for you. The availability of ongoing counseling
on campus is very limited and often provided by graduate clinical trainees.
On-campus counseling is assigned on a first-come basis only to full time AU
students who do not need more immediate, extensive, intensive, or specialized
services than can be provided at the Center. Psychiatric services are available
on campus at the Student Health
Center.
FOUR -- WHAT IS MY ELIGIBILITY FOR SERVICES?
FULL-TIME
AU STUDENTS
AU STUDENTS
(See item Three above)
N
Group participation requires prior consultation with the group leader, so call us for an appointment.
The "Be Your Best" workshops require no advance
registration -- just show up! .
FIVE -- WHAT ABOUT EMERGENCIES AND AFTER-HOURS SUPPORT?
Visit our web pages for
emergency contact
information and 24/7
support services.
SIX -- WHAT CAN I DO ON MY OWN? WHERE CAN I GET GOOD INFO?
The Counseling Center's
on-line Self Help site includes
a wealth of resources -- an on-line library, self assessments, advice columns,
and resource pages on specific topics. Please visit and browse!
revised01/15/04
