University Counseling Center

• You should receive an email or text appointment reminder 24 hours before your appointment, depending on the preferences you selected.
• Please arrive at least 5 minutes early to your appointment, whether meeting in-person or via Telehealth.
• Couples participating in counseling should both be present for each session.
• Your first appointment will last approximately 90 minutes, and each subsequent session will be 50 minutes.
• During your first session, your therapist will explain what to expect as a client, as well as ask questions about your life, reasons for coming to therapy, and goals you which to achieve in the counseling experience.

If you need to cancel your appointment, please contact your counselor by phone or via the Client Portal; we appreciate at least 24 hours notice, unless it’s an emergency.

Repeated cancellations and/or “no shows” may result in the UCC ending the counseling relationship. No further sessions will be scheduled until discussing your treatment readiness with your counselor.

Any interaction in a small, enclosed room for an extended period of time creates a higher risk of exposure. The UCC would like to decrease unnecessary exposure to our clients, staff, and counselors considering the multiple professional, academic, and personal contexts we all must continue to work in.
Maintaining telehealth services also provides a consistent format for our clients should there be any changes at the University level throughout the semester regarding face-to-face interactions.

While there can be an initial adjustment transitioning to telehealth, most clients find the experience as effective as in-person services. Telehealth has been established and used in multiple professions for many years and has demonstrated the ability to reach underserved populations effectively. Research shows there are generally no differences in outcomes between in-person and remote services in mental health. All counselors at the UCC receive training in telehealth before offering services; our clinical supervisors have received or are currently pursuing credentialing as Board Certified—TeleMental Health providers (BC-TMH).

If you are concerned about the privacy of your setting, please let the UCC know when you sign up for services and a counselor will discuss your concerns during the consultation and assist you in exploring options. The Student Life Office has also made rooms available in the dorms to reserve for any telehealth appointment. Contact your resident director or RA for additional information.

While most mental health concerns can be addressed via telehealth services, the UCC has limited capacity to provide a face-to-face evaluation during business hours. The UCC will take steps to decrease any unnecessary exposure while meeting face-to-face. If you are in immediate danger and are unable to maintain your safety, please call 911; your RA can also assist in arranging transportation to the closest emergency room.

The UCC primarily serves Johnson Tennessee residential students enrolled for credit in traditional programs. At times limited services are available to the surrounding community; please call for availability.

Faculty & staff can find resources here.

There are multiple benefits to counseling that include both personal development and growth, as well as addressing common concerns that have become problematic. Counseling can help provide support, improved coping, and problem-solving strategies that lead to a better understanding of self, improved relationships, and development in managing emotional distress. It may be appropriate to talk with a counselor if you are experiencing increased distress that is interfering with your normal life activities. Common areas to address in counseling include but are not limited to:

• Anxiety & Stress Management
• Depression
• Family Concerns
• Relational Concerns
• Sexuality
• Grief
• Addictive Behaviors
• Spiritual Issues
• Adjustment & Stage of Life Issues
• Personal Growth
• Premarital Counseling

Johnson University students are not charged for counseling services at the UCC. Community clients are charged on a sliding scale fee based on total household income.

Giving quality care and protecting your privacy is a primary concern of the UCC.  All counseling sessions remain confidential except where Tennessee State Law requires disclosure. Reasons for mandated reporting include disclosure of serious intentions of self-harm or harm towards others and evidence or reasonable suspicion of negligence or abuse of minors, elders, or dependent adults. All counseling records are maintained and secured to professional standards. No information can be shared with anyone aside from the client, including whether or not you requested or received services. If you have further questions about confidentiality and privacy, please discuss them with your counselor.

A Note for Parents:

Due to state and federal law, as well as professional counseling ethics, we can neither confirm nor deny whether any individual age 18 or older has interacted with the UCC at any level (appointment requests, session attendance, counseling progress, etc.). Clients are asked to provide emergency contact information and have the choice to grant written permission to their therapist to speak with other individuals on their behalf (medical professionals, previous mental health providers, parents, etc.).  We are happy to answer any questions about the services we provide to students at Johnson but, to reiterate, we cannot disclose anything that would identify a student’s interaction with our office for any reason.

If you are concerned about the wellbeing of your student, please reach out to the Student Life Office for further recommendations.

Please go to our Crisis Services page for more information or come directly to the UCC during business hours, Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

The UCC provides brief mental health services for a wide variety of general presenting concerns. We are primarily a training facility for graduate student therapists pursuing their requirements for state licensure in the professional mental health field and therefore do not typically provide specialty services. The UCC will assess any client needs and make appropriate recommendations in the local community as needed or as requested.

The UCC seeks to honor all requests as much as we are able to, but due to the high demand for services, we cannot meet all requests.

As a training center, our focus is on treatment rather than evaluation and assessment. As such, our office does not assess or make recommendations for Emotional Support Animals. If you are seeking to obtain documentation for an ESA, please check with your insurance carrier to find community providers who can provide this documentation.

The UCC is primarily comprised of graduate students who are completing their master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health or a related field.  These graduate therapist interns work directly under the supervision of Licensed Clinical Supervisors to ensure quality services and professional standards.

The best way to contact your counselor is by phone or secure messaging through the Client Portal. Your therapist will have provided their contact information at the first session, or you can call the front desk to be forwarded to your counselor. You should receive a response within 48 business hours.

Every student retains the right to seek counseling services where they choose.  Students may decline services at the UCC for different reasons, including a preference for off-campus services, flexibility in scheduling, more immediate assistance, etc. If you would like recommendations for local counselors in the area, please contact the UCC for a referral list. The Director of Clinical Services is also available to meet with you & discuss specific recommendations and financial questions.

Please note when seeking off-campus providers, there is generally a fee or co-pay due at the time of the appointment. Fees will vary depending on the provider and whether you choose to use your insurance or private pay.

When contacting a counselor, these questions may help you in finding a good fit:

• Are they taking new clients?
• Where are they located?
• Do they take insurance?
• Do they offer a sliding scale fee to students, and how much do they charge?
• What is their general style?
• Do they have areas of specialty, training, or experience? 

Student distress will look different from one person to another and it is important to note changes in light of the student’s typical behavior and patterns. Indications of distress may include:

Significant changes in academic performance
Drop in grades, distinct inconsistencies with previous work, increase in class absences without explanation, loss of motivation

Exaggerated emotional responses
Extreme irritability/anger, prolonged depressed mood, sudden or frequent tearfulness, intense anxiety

Physical indications
Decline in personal hygiene, disheveled appearance, lack of energy, significant weight loss or gain, complaints of headaches or nausea/indigestion

Social withdrawal
Retreating from friends or activities that are generally a source of support, a change in family interaction/contact, may include a sudden over-dependence on people

Disruptive or strange behaviors
Consistently disruptive behavior that is aggressive or disrespectful of others, bizarre speech or behaviors inappropriate to the situation, delusional thinking, agitation, hyperactivity

Suicidal gestures or intentions
Verbal or written preoccupation with themes of death or suicide, lack of interest or hope in the future, direct or indirect talk of suicide (“I’m not sure any of this is worth it anymore.” or “No one would notice if I wasn’t around”), cryptic statements suggesting a wish to self-harm.

*Any reference to suicide should be taken seriously and a referral to the UCC would be advised. Contact the Student Life Office if you are unsure how to handle any student concerns; immediate response is critical.

If appropriate, schedule a time to talk with the student in a secure, comfortable setting. Express your concern in a direct, specific manner.

Remember to:

• Listen with an open attitude and attentiveness to what might underlie the present distress. Provide safety and ask appropriate questions to gain understanding.
• Empathize and demonstrate concern and seek to understand from their perspective without judgment.
• Normalize the responses and reactions to the common challenges faced during their particular life stage. Seek to reduce stigma and shame around experiencing challenges or in reaching out for support.

You can refer students to seek services at the UCC or visit the resource list on the UCC website; if you are willing, offer to walk with them to the UCC. If you have questions or are unable to address your concerns with a student, contact the Student Life Office with your concern. For more imminent, life-threatening concerns please call 911 and then alert the Student Life Office.

The UCC works with several presenting issues that include but are not limited to anxiety, depression, interpersonal relationship issues, grief/loss, family of origin, transition/adjustment, identity and development. Students also seek services related to general wellness and personal development. Urgent concerns would indicate a more immediate referral.

The UCC may be a helpful resource for students experiencing a:

• noticeable difference in functioning
• significant change, transition, or loss
• significant change in sleeping or appetite
• lack of support and resources

It is important for faculty and staff to be aware of their own limitations in meeting with clients. Another indication of suggesting counseling services would be when your interactions with the student are no longer working or you begin to feel uncomfortable or exhausted in your support giving. Except for emergency situations, it should be left to the student’s decision in pursuing services.

Be honest and direct in your recommendation. Remind the student that UCC services are free and completely confidential. No information, written or verbal, can legally be shared with anyone outside of the counseling center unless the student provides written permission. If the student has questions or concerns about counseling, recommend they speak with the director of clinical services before making a decision. Seek to normalize and destigmatize the counseling process and the need for support. If comfortable, consider offering to walk with the student to the UCC; you will not be involved or need to remain present for the actual intake process. Except for emergency situations, it should be left to the student’s decision in pursuing services.

If a student is in imminent danger of harming themselves or others, call 911 immediately and then alert campus security at 2222 if the student is on campus.

When a student expresses safety concerns, or you are concerned about the safety or deterioration of a student’s mental health:

• Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m., contact the Student Life Office to discuss the appropriate steps for the student to be seen at the UCC. If further crisis support is needed the UCC can make direct referrals within the local community to decrease unnecessary delays and recommend the most appropriate level of care. This can help students receive the support they need much more quickly.
• Evenings & Weekends, contact the Student Life Office/resident directors so they can assist under their established protocols.

Due to the nature of the center, the UCC is unable to provide services to Johnson University’s faculty, staff, and dependents thereof. When requested, the director of clinical services is able to provide referral information for various mental health services in the area. Contact the director at ext 2163 or . You can also reference the Employee Behavioral Health Resources.