Initial Consults
During this appointment, students meet with a therapist to discuss their concerns and explore options. Based on this discussion and the therapists' review of the paperwork, the therapist will make recommendations for services. For example, self-help resources, workshops, brief goal-oriented individual, relationship, or group therapy, etc. Plan to arrive 20-30 minutes early to complete paperwork.
Crisis Consults
These are one-time appointments to help a student cope a mental health crisis (such as suicidal or homicidal thoughts, urges, plans: hallucinations or hearing voices; or an inability to cope with a recent crisis). There are therapists scheduled to be available for these appointments from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. M-F. However, if needed for emergency purposes, students may access a crisis consult between 8 a.m.-1 p.m. M-F. To initiate a crisis consult, please come to the center and complete the required paperwork.
Referral Consults
Students who are seeking and/or needing intensive or long-term treatment or who are interested in meeting with an off-campus therapist for others reasons, can meet with our Clinical Resources Coordinator, Erika McCullough-Simpson. During these 30-minute appointments, students will have an opportunity to briefly discuss their concerns and will be provided with a list of community-based providers that will match their needs. Students can use our referral database to find a local therapist or use Psychology Today for additional options.
Therapy
College can be a stressful time of transition and change. Concerns about relationships, depression, anxiety, sexuality, and family are all considered to be a natural part of these life changes. Sometimes talking things over with a therapist or in group therapy gives you a chance to benefit from another perspective as you determine how you might want to approach a difficult or challenging situation. Therapy can also support you in increasing self-awareness, self-confidence, and a wide variety of coping skills.
In order to start therapy, you must first have an Initial Consult. Like most university counseling centers, the UNCWCC typically provides short-term goal-oriented therapy, most commonly on an every-other-week basis for 50 minutes sessions. Therapy at the center is not recommended for students seeking or needing intensive or long-term treatment. If a student is not eligible or interested in therapy services, they can use our referral database to find a local therapist, use Psychology Today for additional options, or make a Referral Consult appointment to discuss options.
Outreach
We provide many mental health resources, programs, and events that reach students outside of the center. We have self-help resources that vary in topics and additional self-help information can be found at the Healthy Hawks website. We host a variety of virtual events that are posted on WaveLink. For a variety of helpful psychoeducational videos and meditations, please visit our YouTube channel.
