Southwestern University

Counseling Center

The Counseling Center provides confidential, short-term individual and group counseling.

Contact

Counseling Center

Phone

512.863.1252

Location

Prothro 200

Counseling Center

Call

Counseling and Health Center Team

 

Welcome to the Counseling Center!

We are so glad you are here.

It can be vulnerable to consider coming to therapy and we understand that. The Counseling Center staff is here to support you.

Students may seek counseling for a wide variety of concerns including, but not limited to, adjustment to college, motivation, depression, anxiety, relationships with peers or family, sexuality, alcohol or drug use, body image, racial trauma, oppression, suicidal thoughts, self-esteem, mood swings, disordered eating and stress.

The Counseling Center also provides educational outreach programs on topics such as stress management, mindfulness, eating disorder prevention, alcohol education, sexual assault risk reduction, perfectionism and relationship skills. Referrals to off-campus professionals are available for psychiatric care and for long-term counseling. 

Current COVID-19 Protocol: 
As a result of the recent indoor mask mandates on the SU campus, the Counseling Center COVID-19 protocol is as follows:
 
- Masks are required at all times while in the Counseling and Health Center. 
- Social distancing is required in the lobby. Please be mindful that students will be regularly coming into the center for COVID testing. 
- Telehealth and limited in-person sessions will be offered for students at the discretion of the clinician.
- All counseling sessions that are held in-person will require masks.
- If you are unvaccinated, telehealth is the safest option for you and our clinicians. Other options may be limited and will be at the discretion of the clinician. 
Our Philosophy

We believe that the capacity to explore personal concerns or feelings, whether large or small, is a sign of strength. Our services are dedicated to helping students clarify the nature of their concerns and explore more effective ways of handling them.

Statement of Diversity and Inclusivity 

We value and celebrate diversity of our students. We stand with students who may identify with marginalized identities including but not limited to LBGTQ+, BIPOC, and students with disabilities. We also recognize systems of power, privilege, and oppression impact our students lives, mental health, and academic success. We strive to provide a space where students can share and process these experiences and encourage students to bring all their identities into the therapeutic space. 

Appointments

Call us or come by our office at the Charles and Elizabeth Prothro Center for Lifelong Learning, Suite 200. The appointment desk is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.–5.p.m. 

SU Counseling Center at 512.863.1252 

After Hours

If an immediate crisis is happening and you need to talk to someone from our office, they can be reached through Southwestern University Police (512) 863-1944), or the campus operator (512) 863-6511). If the crisis is life threatening, please call your local emergency services (911).

What’s the First Visit Like?

Our office is observing strict social distancing protocols and the majority of sessions will be conducted virtually. Before your session, 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. The initial session will be around 25 minutes and therapy sessions usually last 50 minutes. All paperwork is to be completed on our patient portal:

LINK TO PATIENT PORTAL