Q. Who is eligible for Counseling Center services?

A. All students who pay a registration fee are eligible for Counseling Center services. Sometimes other persons important in your life such as spouses, partners, parents, children or friends may be involved in counseling sessions with you. The decision to involve others will be determined by you and your counselor. Faculty and staff who are in crisis may be seen for one session or for a referral to counselors in the community.

Q. Do I have to pay a fee for Counseling Center services?

A. Students who are currently enrolled at UCR and have paid registration fees receive core Counseling Center services free of charge. When clinically indicated, sessions beyond the initial 8 may be provided and will include USHIP/GSHIP insurance and/or fee for service options.

Q. Aren’t most people who seeking counseling ‘sick’, ‘crazy’ or ‘disturbed’?

A. By no means! Students seek counseling for numerous reasons. They may seek counseling to explore personal growth issues in a safe and non-judgmental environment or simply want support to cope and respond to changes in their lives. Whatever the case may be, seeking counseling is a sign of personal strength.

Q. What are my counselor’s qualifications?

A. The Counseling Center staff is ethnically diverse and composed of licensed psychologists, marriage and family counselors, and pre-doctoral interns completing their counseling or clinical psychology doctoral training.

Q. How do I get started seeing a counselor?

A. Call (951) 827-5531 or stop by the Counseling Center. We are located in the Veitch Student Center. The initial appointment usually can be made within a week; same day appointments are available in crisis situations.

Q. Are my counseling sessions confidential?

A. All information gathered during the course of counseling is confidential and can be released only with the student’s written consent, within the limits of the law. Certain situations may dictate that we take steps to ensure your safety and the safety of others. Confidentiality may not be guaranteed for these specific circumstances. Examples include situations involving danger to self or others and child abuse or elderly abuse. Your counselor can discuss these issues and other concerns with you in more detail.

FAQs

Who is eligible for Counseling Center services?

Do I have to pay a fee for Counseling Center services?

Aren’t most people who seeking counseling ‘sick’, ‘crazy’ or ‘disturbed’?

What are my counselor’s qualifications?

How do I get started seeing a counselor?

Are my counseling sessions confidential?

What is an intake appointment?

What is brief therapy?

What happens if I’m not comfortable with a therapist?

What other resources are available at the Counseling Center?

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Q. What is an intake appointment?

A. Typically, the first visit to the Counseling Center is an Intake Appointment. The purpose of this appointment is for the counselor to evaluate issues that you are concerned with and to determine collaboratively with you on the best course of treatment. After this intake, the counselor will meet with the Center’s Treatment Team (which meets twice a week) to discuss issues relevant to your case including any counselor preferences you may have. Generally we ask that students call back after the treatment team has met in order to be informed of the appropriate course of treatment. The counseling center is a brief therapy center and so if long term treatment is the best course of treatment for you, then you may be provided with referrals for therapists in the community.

Q. What is brief therapy?

A. At the Counseling Center, students may be seen for up to 8 sessions per academic year. Brief therapy is short term and time limited with a focus on helping a person to resolve or effectively manage and cope with a problem(s) or challenge(s). It is important to identify and set goals early on in the treatment. The therapist may be more active in the process than compared to other traditional forms of psychotherapy. When clinically indicated, sessions beyond the initial 8 may be provided and will include USHIP/GSHIP insurance and/or fee for service options.

Q. What happens if I’m not comfortable with a therapist?

A. We strive to provide students with the best possible care at the Counseling Center. When students would like to change therapists, we ask that they talk to their therapist first to discuss a request for a change. In situations where a student is not comfortable addressing it directly with their therapist, they also have the option of contacting the Clinical Coordinator or Director of the Counseling Center.

Q. What other resources are available at the Counseling Center?

A. The center has many useful self-help booklets available on such topics as “Coping with Depression.” We also have relaxation tapes which may be purchased or borrowed for a nominal fee. Biofeedback is available to faculty and staff for $15 per person. The Counseling Center also offers psychiatric services when appropriate and in conjunction with ongoing counseling. Other services for students also include: biofeedback, groups, consultation and outreach, on-line resources and self-assessments.

Counseling Center
Veitch Student Center
North Wing
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521-0320
Phone: (951) 827-5531
Fax: (951) 827-2015