Frequently Asked Questions
Who can use Counseling Services and how much does it cost?
How do I know counseling is for me?
What will happen at the first appointment?
Where are you located and when are you open?
Will my parents or professors find out if I come to counseling?
What if I’m just worried about a friend or family member?
How many counseling sessions will it take to feel better?
Answers:
Who can use Counseling Services and how much does it cost?
Any currently registered student can use counseling services free of charge. Students can also bring a non-student romantic partner for couples counseling or other family members at the student’s discretion.How do I know counseling is for me?
Check out this brief guide to learn more. Also see Who Visits Counseling Services?How do I make an appointment?
The appointment desk is open Monday through Friday during the following hours:
9 a.m. - Noon
1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Call us at 863-1252 or come by our office on the 1st floor of the Robertson Center to speak with our staff secretary and schedule an appointment with one of the counselors.What will happen at the first appointment?
When you come in to talk with a counselor for the first time, you will be asked to complete an information sheet that provides your counselor with background information about you. Then you'll sit down and start a conversation to explore the problems you are facing and ways to make things better. Sessions usually last 50 minutes.Where are you located and when are you open?
We’re located on the 1st floor of the Robertson Center (in the entryway before the rec center front desk). We’re the same office as Health Services. The appointment desk is open from 9 a.m. to Noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.What about confidentiality?
The confidentiality of what you tell your counselor is protected by Texas law, and no record of your counseling is made on academic records or job placement files. SU Counseling Services will not share information (including if students have visited Counseling Services) with faculty, staff, parents, or other students on campus without your written permission. In rare circumstances (involving physical safety) there are a few limits to confidentiality. The details are provided to students in writing during their first visit to Counseling Services.Will my parents or professors find out if I come to counseling?
SU Counseling Services will not share information with faculty, staff, parents, or other students on campus without your written permission. This includes revealing whether or not a student has even visited Counseling Services.What if I’m just worried about a friend or family member?
If you are concerned about someone (including a fellow student) who's facing a problem, you can talk confidentially with a counselor about how you might help that individual. Counseling Services will not reveal information about the consultation (including your identity or that you have visited with a counselor) without your written permission.How many counseling sessions will it take to feel better?
Counseling Services offers short-term counseling, but try to be flexible since everyone will have different concerns and needs. Some students feel better after one session, while additional appointments are more helpful for other students. Counseling Services collaborates with students during the first session to determine what will work best for each individual given his or her current concerns. When it appears that a student's needs would be best met by an off-campus agency, counselors also provide referrals.