Counseling Services at UH&CS includes group therapy, skills-based workshops, support spaces, prevention and recovery, psychiatric services, and individual counseling.
All students begin with a same-day appointment through myhealthconnect.case.edu or by calling (216) 368-5872. Students are seen the same or next day, and never wait days or weeks to establish care or address immediate concerns. In this initial session, the counselor will: explore their current issues and concerns, access for safety, and provide recommendations about services that may be good fit for them. Students leave same day appointments with an individualized plan of care that may include a course of brief individual counseling, group counseling, skill-based workshops, referrals to other types of health or mental health providers, or a combination of offerings.
A course of brief individual counseling usually consists of a counseling session once every few weeks. While there is no pre-set number of sessions allocated to each student, a course of individual counseling is generally meant to be problem-focused and brief. Students seeking longer-term therapy or more frequent sessions are assisted in locating appropriate community resources (see Healthcare home, below).
Students also have the option of connecting with TimelyCare for a course of brief individual counseling. In addition to daytime hours, CWRU Care offers evening and weekend appointments for students.
How do I get started with Counseling?
Students begin by scheduling a same-day appointment with a counselor through myhealthconnect.case.edu. Students can also call Counseling Services at (216) 368-5872 to schedule an appointment.
What happens during the first visit? Will I meet with a counselor?
Students meet with a counselor who will explore their current issues and concerns, assess for safety, and provide professional recommendations about services that may be a good fit for them. Students leave same day appointments with an individualized plan of care that may include a course of brief individual counseling, group counseling, skill-based workshops, referrals to other types of health or mental health providers, or a combination of offerings.
Counseling Services staff includes licensed counselors, social workers, and psychologists, as well as trainees in the same fields. All trainees are supervised by licensed counseling staff at UH&CS. Students are always notified when they are seeing a trainee and are welcome to request a different provider.
What happens during ongoing counseling sessions?
Counseling includes gathering information about your concern and establishing goals- what would you like to be different? Students collaborate with the counselor to create and implement strategies and tools to assist in achieving those goals. Students also collaborate with the counselor to discuss important aspects (such as, thoughts, behaviors, attitudes, and emotions, identities) related to the initial concern.
What kind of concerns are a good fit for a course of individual counseling?
All students are welcome to begin with Counseling Services. We do not expect students to figure out on their own what services they need. Professional staff are here to assess your individual needs and create a plan for you based on clinical recommendations. In general, students served best by UH&CS (including not only individual counseling, but also group counseling and workshops) are those wanting help with:
- Mild to moderate anxiety and depression
- Adjustment and development concerns
- Relationship concerns (with friends, family, roommates, romantic partners)
- Transition-related concerns (to college/graduate/professional school)
- Identity development related to sexual, racial, ethnic, religious, gender, and other identities.
- Mild to moderate eating concerns and/or body image issues
- Recent traumatic experiences and experiences of discrimination
Some students need more services or a different type of services that UH&CS provides. We work to connect those students to the appropriate care- and to make sure that they are getting what they need.
Will my counseling visits be virtual or in-person?
If you and the counselor decide that individual counseling at CWRU is the best fit for your needs, we offer both virtual and in-person options to give students more access. During your first visit- which will be a telecounseling visit- the counselor will ask about your preferences, including a preference for virtual or in-person appointments.
Please note that students who have symptoms of or exposures to COVID-19 will be asked to reschedule in-person appointments or be seen virtually.
How do I find a private quiet place on campus for my telecounseling visit?
If you need a private and confidential space for your counseling sessions, we have rooms available in our offices that you may use. Please let us know when you schedule your appointment so we can book this room for your use during that time.
What can I expect from my counselor?
Your counselor will:
- Listen, and take your concerns seriously
- Help you remove barriers to achieve your personal goals
- Maintain the highest ethical and legal standards of counseling practice
- Answer your questions directly and honestly
How can I maximize my counseling experience?
- Attend your sessions regularly and take an active part in them
- Be open to the process
- Be open to trying new or different approaches to dealing with your concerns
- Share at your own pace. You don't have to talk about everything and your boundaries will be respected.
- Think about what you want to talk about before sessions
- Practice strategies/ skills outside of session
- Ask for what you need
Can I get medication if I need it?
Students may discuss medication requests with their counselor and be referred to a psychiatrist or to a UH&CS primary care provider. A scheduled appointment is required to see a UH&CS psychiatrist; we are not able to offer walk-in visits for this service. In emergency situation, students may be referred to a local hospital for initial evaluation and stabilization.
For students who required long term, on-going mental health care, the psychiatrist or referral coordinator may assist students with a referral to a psychiatric provider in the community.
Why was I referred out for therapy or a different service? I want to be seen at UH&CS.
To promote student success, UH&CS is the healthcare home for students during their time at CWRU. In addition to providing the services above, UH&CS facilities care and can act as an advocate with other university offices and resources, as well as with health and counseling providers outside the university. We work with students to develop an individualized healthcare plan that supports their personal needs.
While we can meet most student needs at UH&CS, some students will need something UH&CS cannot or does not offer. Students who need a higher level of care, such as those who need a specialized service or those who may need ongoing or frequent treatment for a medical or mental health issue, will be referred and/or transitioned to one of the many excellent healthcare providers in the Cleveland-area. As part of this transition, students may meet with the UH&CS Care Team to review options and can receive regular check-ins as they are beginning their connection to their new providers.
Do you have session limits?
While there is no pre-set number of sessions allocated to each student, a course of individual counseling is generally meant to be problem-focused and brief. Students seeking longer-term therapy or more frequent sessions are assisted in locating appropriate community resources.
I want or need weekly therapy at Counseling Services- why can't I be accommodated?
University Health & Counseling Services is committed to ensuring that all students have they care they need so that they are ready to learn and participate in all that CWRU offers. For most students, the ideal treatment is group counseling, skills-based workshops, a brief course of individual counseling, or a combination of treatments. Students who need or want more services are connected to care that better meets their specific needs. While we wish we could meet every need of every student, that just is not possible. Providing weekly therapy for all students (or even most of them) would require unlimited staff and space and would limit the number of students who could receive regular services from UH&CS. We aim to serve as many students as possible.
Where can I get help in a crisis or emergency?
UH&CS provides 24/7 access to medical advice and a counselor on-call. Students can call (216) 368-5872 to speak with a counselor on-call, or (216) 368-2450 to speak with a nurse. In addition, students may speak with a counselor any time through the TalkNow feature of TimelyCare.
In an emergency, individuals should call (216) 368-3333 on campus or 911 off campus.
I have a doctor/therapist/counselor at home- should I continue to see them?
If you already have an established relationship, you may want to continue to see a provider at home, and this connection can be facilitated by telehealth opportunities. However, if desired, we welcome students to connect to UH&CS so we can be here if you have an urgent need or could benefit from coordination of care.