Making an Initial Appointment : Welcome to the Counseling Center : Texas State University

Make an Initial Appointment

If you are interested in using Counseling Center services,
call 512-245-2208 or visit us in LBJ Student Center 5-4.1.

UPDATE:

For the health of all Bobcats, our preferred method of contact is via phone. If you need emergency support, want to initiate therapy, or would like to change a scheduled appointment, please call 512-245-2208 (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.). The Counseling Center is offering Telemental Health services for new and continuing clients. We are waiving our no show policy through May 15th.

If you feel you are in immediate danger or crisis, call 911 or seek medical assistance. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, interpersonal/domestic violence, or a recent sexual assault you can call the Counseling Center during normal business hours at 512-245-2208.

After-hours you can call the suicide prevention hotlines (please identify self as Texas State student) : Hill Country MHDD 1-877-466-0660 (San Marcos Campus) or Bluebonnet Trails 1-800-841-1255 (Round Rock Campus).

Please see our Crisis Information for an expansive list of crisis hotlines and chatlines for suicide prevention, interpersonal/domestic violence, and sexual assault survivors.

The Counseling Center has also compiled a list of COVID-19 resources and support materials. Therapy Assistance Online (TAO) self-help is available to provide support for anxiety, depression, and other common concerns. You can also find information about connecting with a Community Referral.

For the most updated information regarding COVID-19, please see the Texas State Coronavirus (COVID-19) Situation Summary. All official university-wide communication about COVID-19 will come via email.

The health of our clients and our staff is our priority. Each of us must act responsibly for the benefit of our entire community. If you are sick or become sick, you should stay home and avoid close contact with others. If you have any concerns that you have been exposed to the virus, you should call the Student Health Center or your medical provider immediately.

You can initiate a Counseling Center appointment through a NON-URGENT or EMERGENCY APPOINTMENT.

At your appointment the clinician will recommend appropriate sources of support. The recommendation may include scheduling brief individual (every 2-3 weeks) or group therapy at the Counseling Center. It may be using our on-line services. Or you may be referred to a more appropriate campus or community resource. This includes referrals for frequent, longer-term, or specialized therapy or a medication evaluation.

We understand your situation is unique and cannot be fully described. In our effort to best serve each student, we request that you read the common concerns listed below so that you can appropriately identify which appointment type you need.

*If you are seeking Group Counseling or Couples Counseling, please tell the front desk staff.

NON-URGENT APPOINTMENTS

These are same-day appointments. Calling earlier in the day provides you with more appointment times. If no appointments remain available, you will be asked to call a second time, on a day when your schedule is flexible. You will need at least 60 minutes for this appointment. You may want to try some of the ideas on the 'While you Wait for an Initial Appointment' page.

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Initial Appointment: The most common appointment type for students seeking to initiate therapy.

Common concerns include, but are not limited to:

I am having relationship(s) problems or recently experienced a break-up.
I am having panic attacks.
I am experiencing anxiety and/or stress.
I feel depressed and/or have low mood/energy.
I am concerned about my alcohol and/or drug use.
I am having difficulty adjusting to a recent change.
I am unsure about something significant in my future.

Please note that you will be rescheduled if you arrive more than 10 minutes late for your scheduled check-in time due to the heavy demand for this service.

Upon arrival, you will provide basic information and meet with a clinician for approximately 15 minutes to decide what is the best type of support. Various services may be recommended and scheduled including brief individual or group therapy, or on-line resources. You may also be referred to a more appropriate campus or community resource.

One-Time Appointments
If you are NOT interested in starting on-going therapy at the Counseling Center but want assistance please indicate the reason for the appointment when you call:
- I have a specific concern or question that can be resolved in a single appointment.
- I need to make a major decision in the next 2-3 days.
- I am concerned about someone else (a friend, roommate, etc.).
- I am seeking a referral for counseling in the community or medication elsewhere (not at the Student Health Center).

EMERGENCY APPOINTMENTS

Emergency appointments are for students experiencing a safety concern or have had a recent traumatic event (e.g., suicidal thoughts, thoughts of harming others, recent death of someone close, sexual or physical assault). Our dedicated team is available to provide safety support and planning. These appointments are available Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and students are seen as soon as a clinician is available. Our lobby provides a comfortable place to sit and wait.

EMERGENCY APPOINTMENT: This level is for students experiencing a safety concern who need to be seen the same-day.
I am currently concerned about my ability to keep myself or others safe.
- I have a current plan to attempt suicide.
- I have taken recent steps to end my life.
- I may physically hurt someone else.
- I have a strong desire to harm someone else.
Emergency appointments are same-day. When you call the Counseling Center you will be invited to come into the center as soon as possible. Upon arrival, you will provide basic information. Our waiting room provides a comfortable place to sit and wait until a clinician is available to meet with you.
URGENT APPOINTMENT: This level is for students who recently experienced a traumatic event.
- Someone close has recently received a serious diagnosis or died.
- I have recently been physically or sexually assaulted.
- I am hearing voices or seeing things other people do not.
- I have recently been discharged from a psychiatric hospital.

Be On Time for Appt

Initial appointments are rescheduled if more than 10 minutes late. Counseling appointments will be rescheduled or reduced if 20 minutes late.

No Backpack/Bag Policy

Lockers will be provided for Backpack/Bags during your session in order to provide our clients and staff with a safe and secure environment.

INITIAL APPOINTMENT

At your appointment you will be provided with information about scheduling /canceling appts, as well as confidentiality and privacy policies

Therapist Assistance Online

Therapist Assistance Online, an interactive, dynamic, and easy-to-access online program is available to the Texas State community and provides skill building exercises in support of anxiety, depression, and other common concerns.