Frequently Asked Questions

Please contact the Counseling Center at 502-852-6585
if you have further questions and/or concerns.

How do I know if I need counseling services?
If you notice you are having a difficult time or generally feel stuck, it may be helpful to work with a trained therapist at the Counseling Center in an individual or group setting. People come into the Counseling Center to discuss a range of topics, including relationships, family, identities, grief and loss, depression, stress, and many more experiences and concerns. Sometimes it may be hard to identify why you feel overwhelmed or "not like yourself," and a therapist will collaborate with you to build a better understanding of what you are experiencing.

Will other people know I’m using the counseling services?
All communication exchanged in the Counseling Center is confidential. Because information is confidential, in order to release information from a session or n assessment, a client must provide written permission. The exceptions to this policy include: if information relates to clear and imminent danger to an individual (client or others), if state law mandates reporting of information (threats of violence, abuse or neglect to children or a vulnerable adult population, violence between domestic partners), or if information is requested by court order.

What is the difference between individual and group counseling?
During individual counseling, a person works one-on-one with a therapist; whereas, in group counseling, a small group of people meet to interact and process together with a therapist. To find out more information about group counseling, check out the Groups tab.

What types of providers are available at the Counseling Center?
The center has Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (PsyD, PhD) and Counselors and Therapists (ATR, LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, LPA); please review the staff page for further details. The Counseling Center is also a training site for students in the Educational and Counseling Psychology (ECPY) programs at the University of Louisville, the Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville, and the Clinical Psychology doctoral program at Spalding University.

How do I make an appointment?
If you'd like to begin services at the Counseling Center, you can call us M-F from (9:00 am-5:00 pm) to schedule a brief 30 minute triage. From there, you and your clinician will decide next steps, which may include scheduling an Initial Assessment, referral to one or more of our groups, other on or off campus resources, and/or adding you to our waitlist (if applicable). If you have questions about this process, please contact the Counseling Center at 502-852-6585 or email coping@louisville.edu.

Please note that urgent consultation services are provided on a first come, first served basis. Our busiest time is 3-4:00pm. Please plan to call us as early as possible to allow time to complete paperwork and receive a callback from a clinician. We may have to call you back the following day if there are several students ahead of you.

What is the length of time of counseling appointments?
The length of a typical counseling appointment is 45-50 minutes. Triages and urgent consultations last approximately 30 minutes.

What should I expect on my first visit to the Counseling Center?
Prior to your first appointment, we will ask you to complete electronic paperwork. If we are operating in-person, you may complete the forms on a tablet in our waiting room. For telehealth (online) sessions, we will send you a link to complete paperwork on your own device. Please allow 10-15 minutes to complete paperwork. During your first visit (triage) to the Counseling Center, you will meet with a therapist to discuss your present concerns. The therapist will collaborate with you to discuss goals and the process of counseling. You may be referred to group, to off-campus services, you may be scheduled for an initial assessment, or added to our waitlist. You may or may not meet with the same therapist for your initial assessment as you did for your triage, but typically you will continue to meet with the therapist who did your initial assessment for subsequent visits to the Counseling Center. Although therapists often take different approaches to this process, the initial assessment is generally a time for them to get to know you. If you feel as though that particular person is not a good fit for you, it is possible to transfer to another therapist.

What should I do if I have an urgent need or an emergency?
If you have an urgent situation during Counseling Center hours, please contact the Counseling Center at 852-6585 or come to the office.

For emergencies, please call 911, or contact a hotline or service provider listed in the emergency information section. Some of these resources are available 24/7.

How much does it cost to use the services offered by the Counseling Center?
Services provided to currently enrolled students are covered by student fees and do not require additional payment. These services include: individual counseling, group counseling, workshops, couples therapy, urgent consultation, and referrals. Learning Disability and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Assessments are offered to currently enrolled students on a sliding fee scale. Please contact the Counseling Center for further information about assessments.

Does the Counseling Center provide medication?
The Counseling Center does not offer medication evaluations on-site. However, the Counseling Center does provide psychiatric referrals to Campus Health Services when appropriate. You can also contact your primary care provider for a referral to Campus Health.