Confidential care. Real support. For every Demon.
What we offer
Individual & couples counseling
Crisis intervention and safety planning
Career counseling
Group counseling
Consultation & outreach for faculty, staff, classes, and organizations
Teletherapy options via WebEx, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or FaceTime when appropriate.
Who benefits from counseling?
Anyone seeking support for stress, anxiety, depression, relationships, adjustment to college, trauma, alcohol or drug concerns, identity development, or personal growth. If it affects your well-being or learning, we’re here to help.
Cost
Counseling is included for students who pay the Health Services fee; psychiatrist visits carry a $20 copay per appointment
Crisis Services and Referral
Members of the faculty and staff are often the first to notice changes in the mood, appearance and behavior of their students. If you are concerned about a student’s behavior, call the Office of Counseling and Career Services. We provide consultation services to all members of the Northwestern community.
Call the Office of Counseling and Career Services at 357-5621 during office hours 8 AM-5:00 PM when there is an emergency, and you must speak to a counselor. After 5:00 PM and on weekends call the University Police at 357-5431 and they will contact a counselor for you.
Questions about Counseling
Individual counseling, couples counseling, career counseling and crisis intervention services are provided. Group counseling services are offered on an as needed basis to satisfy the needs of the students each semester. All counseling services are confidential.
Students can expect to receive confidential counseling services and competent care provided by licensed professional counselors and supervised counseling interns. Counseling sessions usually last fifty minutes. Most students receive 8-10 sessions. It is normal to feel uncertain and nervous when attending your first counseling session, but after a few sessions you will become more comfortable with the counseling process.
If a student for some reason is uncomfortable with his/her assigned counselor it is that student’s right to request another counselor in the office or a referral to a community resource. The needs and requests of the students will be accommodated whenever possible.
Appropriate referrals are made to local health care professionals in cases where a counselor’s mental health assessment reflects the need for pharmaceutical treatment.
No one will be told that you are seeing a counselor unless you tell them. All counseling services are confidential. A consent form must be signed by you if it is nessecary to share information on your behalf with a third party. However there are four exceptions to confidentiality which include:
1. If a student reveals he/she has intentions to harm himself/herself or another.
2. Release of confidential information is requested through a court order.
3. Child abuse or neglect is suspected or evident.
4. Abuse, neglect or exploitation of adults who are vulnerable due to physical or mental impairment or advanced age is suspected.
Under any of these circumstances a counselor is ethically bound to take steps to protect the student or a victim of abuse by informing the proper authority, be it a parent, law enforcement officer, or child protection professional.
In cases in which a student’s needs reach beyond the scope of practice of our counseling services appropriate referrals will be made to outside sources who can better serve that individual.
Crisis Hotlines
Hours & Location
Mon–Thu: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Fri: 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Friedman Student Union, Room 305
To schedule: (318) 357-5621