Mental Health Counseling
The UTRGV Counseling Center has expanded its services to increase accessibility for students. The center is now offering mental health counseling online and in person (telemental health counseling) for students who are present in the state of Texas. We can make arrangements for those who are unable to participate in online counseling from home.
What's to know?
- Counseling Services are FREE
- Counseling Services are CONFIDENTIAL*
- Counseling can be effective in treating mental illness
- You do not need to have a mental illness to benefit from counseling
Benefits
Students being seen for counseling may work on a wide variety of issues. Examples include: Stress, Family Problems, Depression, Sexual Assault, Anxiety, Abuse, Eating Disorders, Grief/Loss, Self-Esteem, Anger Management, Sexuality, Parenting, Divorce, Academic Difficulties, Harassment, Partner/Relationship Problems, Suicidal Ideation, Domestic Violence, Health Issues, Post-Traumatic Stress, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. In some cases, such as with more severe or complex conditions, a student may be referred out for additional or more appropriate treatment options.
Making an Appointment
Appointments can be made either by calling the center or by walking in to one of our locations on the Edinburg or Brownsville campus. (Edinburg 956-665-2574; Brownsville 956-882-3897) You can also email us with any questions or concerns or to get the process started in making an appointment: counseling@utrgv.edu.
Process
The first appointment to initiate services is known as the "screening evaluation." Typically, this appointment includes approximately 20 minutes for the student to complete the online intake documents followed by a 20-minute interview session with one of our clinical therapists or interns. The goal of this appointment is to understand the nature and impact of the presenting concern and to provide options of what may be helpful in addressing it. In some cases, the screening appointment is sufficient in helping resolve the problem, whereas in other cases, the student may be referred to ongoing counseling or other resources.
Here are some things to keep in mind for your initial screening evaluation:
- Be on time for your appointment to avoid it having to be rescheduled.
- Please call the Counseling Center 24 hours in advance, when possible, if you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment.
Confidentiality
Laws and guidelines protect the privacy of your information from leaving the Counseling Center without your written permission. There are rare but important exceptions to this, mainly involving immediate safety concerns. Details on these exceptions are listed below.
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Note: The following exceptions to confidentiality do exist. (a) Client case records may be used for the purpose of supervision, professional development, and consultation within the Center. In such cases, all efforts will be made to hide any unnecessary identifying information. (b) It is determined that you are a danger to yourself or to someone else. (c) Abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children, the elderly, or disabled persons is suspected. (d) Sexual contact with another health professional is disclosed by the client. (e) The therapist is ordered by a court or otherwise required by law to disclose information. (f) You authorize in writing to release your information. |