Service Updates
Virtual Services
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We offer all of our initial consultations, group therapies, and workshops virtually to provide optimum accessibility and to assure health and safety.
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Our individual therapy services continue to be offered primarily virtually; however we also have a limited capacity for in-person individual therapy sessions. Please talk to your counselor if you are interested in meeting in person.
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Masks are strongly encouraged during in-person sessions and while in the Counseling Center.
Service Updates
Throughout the ever-changing landscape mental health service delivery, we at the Counseling Center remain committed to providing safe, accessible mental health resources for our UIC Community. We continue to strive to create safe and inclusive spaces for our students, to push ourselves to grow in our multicultural awareness, and to be strong allies and advocates for the diverse populations we serve.
Initial Consultation
To schedule an initial consultation, please call us at (312) 996-3490. On the day of your scheduled appointment, you will call this number again in order to access your initial paperwork. Once you submit your completed paperwork, our receptionist will alert your initial consultation counselor, who will send you link to a secure online video platform (Zoom PHI). This conversation typically lasts for for 30-45 minutes. Be sure to have a safe, private space for this conversation and for any future therapy appointments.
Single Session Appointments
Single-Session Appointments will continue to be offered virtually via Zoom PHI. These appointments can be scheduled online, typically within 24 hours.
Individual Therapy
Our individual therapy services continue to be offered primarily virtually; however we also have a limited capacity for in-person individual therapy sessions. Please talk to your counselor if you are interested in meeting in person. Masks are strongly encouraged during in-person sessions and while in the Counseling Center.
Sessions tend to last 45-50 minutes. All clients must be in the state of Illinois during all therapy sessions. Clients attending virtually are also encouraged to be in a private space during their session where they feel comfortable talking openly about mental health concerns. If you do not have a private space, please let us know and we will help you arrange one at the Counseling Center or another location on campus.
Group Therapy
The Counseling Center is continuing to provide all group therapy services using Zoom PHI to provide optimum accessibility and to assure health and safety. To participate in a remote group, please have a private space and access to online video platforms (as phone tends to be a difficult medium for groups). All clients must be in the state of Illinois, and in a private space, during all therapy sessions. If you do not have a private space, please let us know and we will help you arrange one at the Counseling Center or another location on campus.
Our peer-led support groups will not be available for Spring 2023.
Psychiatry Services
The Counseling Center continues to offer psychiatry services using Zoom PHI (preferred) or by phone. Prescriptions can typically be sent electronically to a pharmacy of your choice. Psychiatry services remain limited to students who are individual therapy clients at the Counseling Center, and students must be in the state of Illinois at the time of their appointment.
24/7 Crisis Services
As is always the case, we strongly encourage any student experiencing a mental health crisis to reach out for help. If you call the Counseling Center at 312-996-3490 during our 8:30-5 business hours, Monday through Friday, our receptionist will ask you a few questions and connect you to a counselor. If you call us before or after business hours, just press option “2” on the automated menu, and you will be connected to a crisis counselor. We also provide a list of additional crisis resources on and off campus; this has been updated to reflect current availability during COVID-19.
Crisis services are available 24/7, regardless of your current location.
Outreach, Workshops, & Consultation
The Counseling Center is continuing to offer outreach services remotely. Limited exceptions can be made for programs that require an in-person component (e.g., crisis intervention role-play training for RAs). We will also continue to offer a variety of remote workshops, including our popular Mindful Way, Self-Compassion, and Managing Your Mood workshops.
Faculty and staff who have concerns about a student may still contact their liaison or call our office during business hours to consult about how to support students in distress.
Service Limitations
Though we hope to be able to provide services to even more students than ever before using these remote means, we regret that due to state licensure limitations, we are not able to provide ongoing therapy services for students located outside of Illinois. If you are in need of counseling services but are residing out of state, we can still provide an initial consultation appointment to discuss appropriate types of treatment and to advise you on how to connect to therapy resources in your area (such as by calling your health insurance to find in-network providers).
Many of our services are available for all UIC students, regardless of their physical location, including: