Your first visit, the initial consultation, will be with one of the staff counselors. During this session you will have an opportunity to discuss your present concerns. This session will help both you and the counselor decide how the Counseling & Consultation Center can best help you. These services may consist of individual, couples, or group counseling and possibly a referral to an on-campus or off-campus service that may be more appropriate for your needs .

All services are free for currently enrolled students.

All information and the simple fact that you are in counseling is kept confidential. No information leaves our office unless you make a written request for us to do so.

As long as you are currently enrolled at St. Edward's University, you can use our services. We provide short-term therapy based on your needs and goals. Group therapy sessions are unlimited. When psychotherapy needs exceed our campus resources, we provide referral assistance to locate appropriate and affordable community resources .

Psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed professional counselor, and licensed clinical social worker are trained in the treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral problems. There are some differences: Psychiatrists attend medical school and may prescribe medications. Psychologists have doctoral graduate degrees and their training typical focuses on psychotherapy, research, and assessment. Licensed counselors and social workers are generally master level therapists. The Counseling & Consultation Center has a highly trained and experienced staff that includes psychologists and advanced graduate students. We also have a consulting psychiatrist available for those students who may need an evaluation for medication in addition to counseling.

If you are asking yourself these questions then you are close enough to someone to realize they may be in need of some help. Even though that person may come to you with a problem and you are willing to help, there are circumstances which may indicate the need for professional guidance, especially if you feel like you are "in over your head" and unsure what to do for the person.

Some people accept a referral to a mental health professional more easily than others. It is generally best to be frank with the person about your concern for them and any limits of your ability to help - limits of time, energy, training, objectivity. It is often reassuring to a friend to hear that you respect their willingness to talk to you and that you want to see them get the best and most appropriate assistance available. Someone experiencing confusion may feel comforted to know that they don't necessarily have to know what's wrong before they can ask for help. Assure them that seeking help does not necessarily mean that they have serious problems. It is possible that their concern is one of the common reasons that college students seek help from the Counseling & Consultation Center .

If you are concerned about a student and want to refer them to the Counseling & Consultation Center , you can:

1. Inform them of our services and help them make an appointment by either calling 448-8538 or coming by Moody Hall #110.

2. In daytime emergency you can have the student come (or you can walk with them) to our office in Moody Hall, Room 110. All they have to do is identify that it is an emergency and they will be seen immediately. If possible, try to call ahead so we can be ready for them when they show up. After regular work hours, call the SEU police (448-8444) and they will summon a counselor on call or other emergency assistance.

We are also available to talk about your concern for the student and assist you in making the referral.

A strong commitment to diversity is at the core of our individual and departmental philosophy. It begins with a Director who is keenly aware of the importance of diversity, and spreads throughout the entire staff, both in word and in practice.

Recognizing that St. Edward's University has a diverse staff, faculty, and student body, recruitment of staff members emphasizes an applicant's personal commitment to valuing diversity by making it an explicit factor in the selection process. Our steadfast commitment has lead to the multi-dimensional makeup of the Counseling & Consultation Center staff, which all but guarantees that the population we serve will have an opportunity to work with individuals much like themselves. The availability of staff who not only seek to understand and honor the uniqueness of every individual, but who are also representative of the St. Edward's population as a whole, greatly increases the likelihood of a successful therapeutic experience.