What is the EKU Counseling Center (EKUCC)? 

EKUCC provides mental health psychotherapy and a host of other mental health services to support student emotional health and wellbeing. EKUCC professional staff are licensed psychologists and mental health clinicians who specialize in providing these services to college students. Therapy services are also provided by pre and/or post doctoral psychology students in training who are supervised by licensed EKUCC psychologists.

What does the EKUCC offer for students? 

Free short-term, psychotherapy and other mental health services to currently enrolled EKU students. These services are designed to address mental health issues, and to promote personal and academic success as an EKU student. Services include:

• Individual and couples psychotherapy (both members of the couple must be currently enrolled EKU students)
• Group therapy
• Drop-in support and mental health and wellness groups
• Psychoeducational workshops to improve mental thealth and emotional coping, and
• Outreach programs and events to promote physical and mental wellness

Who is eligible for services at EKUCC? 

Any currently enrolled EKU student is eligible to have an Initial Assessment to determine appropriateness for EKUCC services. However, if students have attended classes in the Spring semester and are enrolled for the Fall, they can still access services during the summer if they are within the state of KY.

How much does it cost? 

All EKUCC clinical and counseling services are free to students.

What are your office hours? 

Please see our Office Hours page.

Where is the EKUCC office located?

We are located in the Whitlock Building, Room 571. NOTE: EKUCC follows the university calendar regarding operating hours, EKU holidays, and semester breaks. EKUCC will also follow university inclement weather and/or cancellation schedule changes.

What happens in therapy? 

In counseling, your therapist will work with you to identify your personal goals for therapy. You can expect that your therapist will listen closely to understand your experiences, and will work with you to help achieve these goals. It often involves: getting a different perspective on your experiences, exploring, and discovering things about yourself, making changes in unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaving, processing difficult experiences which may include trauma, and learning healthy coping tools.

How is therapy helpful?  

Psychotherapy and mental health services can be helpful if:

• The distress in your life has reached a point where it is difficult or hard to function physically and/or mentally
• Your overall life satisfaction is not where you want it to be
• Your mood is negatively affecting your ability to go to class, manage school work, or enjoying your life

Students also meet with a clinician for a wide variety of other issues such as: homesickness, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, substance use and abuse, social anxiety, relationships concerns, sexual assault, current and/or past abuse or trauma, eating concerns, low self-esteem, grief or loss, sexual orientation, identity development, experiences with discrimination, etc.

Is there a limit to the number of sessions? 

No, EKUCC does not have a session limit for individual or group therapy.

If I receive treatment or therapy at EKUCC, can anyone find out about it? 

Meeting with a clinician is confidential. We will not release any information about you outside EKUCC without your permission. There are legal exceptions such as situations involving child or adult abuse or neglect, court orders or subpoena of records, or immediate and serious danger to self or others. See our Confidentiality Page for specific details.

How long do appointments last? 

Your first meeting at EKUCC (the Initial Assessment) typically lasts 30-60 minutes. This includes the 30 minutes it usually takes to complete the required information needed before you meet with the clinician on-call. Appointment-based group sessions last 90 minutes. Drop-in or support groups last 60 minutes. Individual or relationship therapy sessions last 45-50 minutes.

How do I start therapy? 

First, call the EKUCC office during office hours to schedule an Initial Assessment. At this brief meeting, the initial assessment clinician will ask some questions about what led you to seek therapy and counseling services. At the end of this meeting, the assessment clinician will discuss their recommendations with you.

What if I am in crisis? 

In any life-threatening situation, such as suicide attempt, alcohol or drug overdose, or serious mental health crisis, call 911 (from campus phone: 2-1111) or proceed immediately to the Baptist Health Emergency Room at Baptist Health Hospital located on the Eastern Bypass (phone: 859-623-3131).

EKUCC offers after hours urgent mental health support to an EKU student or any person concerned about an EKU student. This is an extension of EKUCC services and can assist a caller in any mental health crisis situation. When appropriate, EKUCC staff will follow up with the caller on the university’s next business day.

EKUCC After Hours service is available weekends, evenings, holidays, and during university closures. To access EKUCC After Hours Urgent Support, please call 859-622-1303.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IF CONTEMPLATING SUICIDE, PLEASE TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION. Call the SUICIDE HOTLINE at 988 or text . ALL ASSISTANCE IS FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL. For more information, visit EKU’s Suicide Prevention Clinic.

Does EKUCC provide assessments for things like an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) or ADHD? 

No, EKUCC does not provide the necessary testing and assessment for ESA, ADHD, or other accommodations as defined by the American Disabilities Act (ADA). If you are interested in documentation and/or testing for these accamodations, see our list of resources or visit the EKU Center for Student Accessibility for referral information.

Does EKUCC provide letters of support to withdraw from classes or to appeal to Big E Central or the Registrar’s Office? 

If you request a letter of support from EKUCC, a Request for Documentation form must be completed first. The Request for Documentation form is available at the front desk of our office (located in Whitlock Bldg, Room 571). Please note the following when requesting a letter or documentation regarding therapy services:

• Letters will be provided only in the event you have an established treatment plan and therapeutic relationship with your clinician. This is defined as attending multiple sessions during a treatment episode.
• All requests for letters much be made at least two (2) working days in advance of when they are needed.
• If you request documentation to be released to an agency or person other than yourself, a Release of Information form must be completed. This allows EKUCC to share your confidential information. Stop by EKUCC in Whitlock, Room 571 or call 859-622-1303 to discuss your request.

If I am a student who is deaf or hard of hearing can I receive services? 

Yes. Although we do not have clinicians on staff that are trained in ASL, you can request an interpreter. Visit the Center for Student Accessibility website for more information.

Does EKUCC provide therapy for EKU faculty and staff?

No, our services are limited to currently enrolled EKU students. Please see the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) on the Wellness website for faculty/staff mental health resources. If you are a faculty or staff and currently taking classes, you will be referred to your EAP program for mental health assistance.

What is community intervention and outreach? 

EKUCC is committed to providing and participating in programs, workshops, and events that promote mental health and wellness. Typical outreach programs and activities include providing information about our services and mental health through tablings, class presentation, sponsoring or co-sponsoring events with other departments, university functions, and larger scale events. Some of our university wide events have included: guided meditation events like Get on Uranus and Meditate (held at the Hummel Planetarium), Get On Your Grass and Meditate (held in the ravine), national mental health screening days (mental health, eating disorder, and substance abuse), and many other events and partnerships with other EKU departments. 

Do you offer any opportunities for graduate students or undergraduate students who want experience working in a counseling center? 

EKUCC does offer graduate training practicums and internships under the supervision of licensed EKUCC psychologists. Check our training programs page for more information.