Brief Assessment and Consultation Appointment (BAC)

 This is the first step for most UC students seeking services at the Counseling Center.  The BAC (15 minutes) is conducted by phone.  The counselor will ask a series of questions regarding your situation and concerns, and discuss various options that may be appropriate for you.  These include: scheduling an intake interview with a counselor or referring you to one of our group therapy programs, another UC Office/Service, or a community mental health provider.  There is no charge for the BAC.

Call the Counseling Center at 513-556-0648 or stop by 1216 Crosley Tower to schedule a  BAC.

Intake Interview

This appointment (50 minutes) gives us the opportunity to learn about you and your concerns in more depth, and lets you learn about how we operate.  You will need to complete some paperwork prior to your appointment and read some important information; you can either download the forms from our website and complete them before you arrive, or come 15 minutes early and complete them in our office.  Please bring your insurance card as well so we can verify your coverage.  The interview covers a broad array of topics, including your present concerns and past experiences, so that we can make a recommendation to you regarding a course of action to address your needs.  This recommendation may include one or more of the following:  refer you for a physical medical workup; refer you to a community provider; refer you to one of our psychiatry residents for a psychiatric evaluation for possible medication treatment; or refer you to one of our groups as an adjunct treatment in addition to your individual therapy.

In some cases we may refer you to another professional setting.  We may do so if your situation requires specialized services (e.g. frequent or multiple appointments weekly; treatment for significant drug or alcohol abuse/dependence, a severe eating disorder; on-going social services) for which our treatment model is not the standard of care in our profession.  We do not provide treatment or assessments that are court ordered or otherwise required by the legal system. 

Psychotherapy

The primary services at the Counseling Center are individual and group psychotherapy.  Psychotherapy is not easily described in general statements. At its core is a collaborative relationship that develops between you and the therapist (and members of a group).  Psychotherapy is not like a medical doctor visit. Instead, it requires a very active effort on your part. In order for the therapy to be most successful, you will need to work on things discussed in your sessions at other times as well. 

Many students use individual therapy to address personal concerns. Students typically seek services for help with adjusting to new situations, managing stress, difficulties in relationships, anxiety, depression, anger, grief, family problems and personal identity. Sometimes academic difficulties may reflect an underlying problem in one of these areas.

Individual Therapy

The intake interview and first few sessions focus on clarifying your needs and goals.  After the first few sessions, you and your therapist will develop a treatment plan based on a focal problem that you want to address.  Most problems can be addressed in 20 or fewer sessions of therapy.  In fact, most therapy lasts 6-8 sessions.  Your therapist and you will probably schedule a regular meeting that lasts about 45-50 minutes. 

When you have reached your goals, a termination session is scheduled in order to discuss progress made and further areas you may wish to explore through other methods.  Your therapist will begin to talk with you about this termination at the appropriate time.  Please make every effort to attend this final stage of therapy, as it can be just as important to you as other sessions.

Once you have ended your treatment it is possible that you may want to return to therapy in the future when you are experiencing similar symptoms or additional stresses.  This is a normal and positive response to having a satisfying therapeutic experience. 

Group Therapy

The Counseling Center offers groups to assist students in their personal and academic functioning at the University.  Groups provide supportive and effective treatment for addressing students’ concerns, from treatment for specific problems to personal growth and development.  Different types of group therapy address different concerns: personal growth group; substance use group; and therapy group.  Aspects of groups that are believed to be helpful include setting aside a time and place to address specific concerns, learning new information and skills, sharing one’s experiences with others who have been in similar situations, and providing support to others.  Most groups include three to eight members in addition to the leader(s).  Groups are most effective when participants attend all the group meetings.  All members are expected to maintain confidentiality regarding others in the group and all material disclosed and discussed.  There is no charge for groups at the Counseling Center.  For a more detailed description, go to Groups.

Psychiatry

Medication is an effective treatment for depression, mood swings, anxiety, sleep problems, attention deficit disorders and other conditions. It may be used alone or in combination with counseling. For many conditions, people benefit most when they receive both counseling and medication.

We have psychiatric residents available at the Counseling Center to prescribe and monitor medication for our clients who are in active treatment with one of our counselors.  It is your choice whether to use medication.  If we believe medication may be helpful, we will refer you to one of our psychiatric residents for evaluation and medication management.  You will have follow-up sessions with the psychiatric resident in order to monitor your progress.  Since every person is different, it may take some time to know what the best regimen is for you.

The first appointment, psychiatric evaluation, is one hour in length.   Subsequent medication management appointments are a half hour.  Our psychiatric residents have limited time at the Counseling Center. It is very important that you keep your scheduled appointments.
If you do not give us at least 48 hours notice of a cancellation, we must charge a $20 missed appointment fee.

To be eligible for our psychiatric services, you must also be seen in regular therapy sessions here.   

When you have reached your goals, a termination session is scheduled in order to discuss progress made and further areas you may wish to explore through other methods.  Your therapist will begin to talk with you about this termination at the appropriate time.  Please make every effort to attend this final stage of therapy, as it can be just as important to you as other sessions. Once you have ended your treatment it is possible that you may want to return to therapy in the future when you are experiencing similar symptoms or additional stresses.  This is a normal and positive response to having a satisfying therapeutic experience. 

Substance Use Psycho-Educational Program

The Counseling Center (CC) offers a two-part psycho-educational program about alcohol and other substance use.  Please note that this is a psycho-educational activity and not clinical assessment or treatment.   The program is for UC students only. Although any interested student may attend, this program is intended primarily for those who have been mandated by University Judicial Affairs at UC or a court system.  

Program Content

The first segment of the program consists of a private, individual interview and completion of a questionnaire and other materials for gathering information. This component focuses on screening and personalized feedback about a person’s self-reported substance use, related consequences and risks, daily psychological and social functioning, and recommendations for follow up including treatment when indicated. The second component consists of a discussion class that includes a brief video, review of the effects of substance use on the brain, and other topics to assist people in contemplating their use and change. Together, the components typically involve a total of 3 hours (1.5 hours each).

Requirements

The program will often meet the requirements of University Judicial Affairs, Hamilton County Diversion Program, and programs from other court systems but students are responsible for checking with the referring organization to determine if this program satisfies the requirement.  The CC provides the student with a single-page memorandum of recommendations for follow-up and a certificate of completion after participating fully in both components. The student may provide this information to others as needed.

Fee

There is a $155.00 charge for this program with no exceptions or refunds. All fees must be paid in full by cash before the beginning of the first component.  ATM machines are located on campus in Tangeman University Center.

Scheduling

The screening and personalized feedback component is scheduled for Mondays  from 9-10:30 am. The discussion class is scheduled for the third Thursday of every month from 3-4:30pm. Tardiness is considered an automatic failure and payment will not be refunded.

 Registration

Students who are interested in participating in this program should call the Counseling Center and state clearly that they wish to enroll in the Substance Use Psycho-Educational Program. They will be given a tentative appointment time for the first component and information about the meeting time for the second component.  We are unable to tailor the scheduling to individuals

Students in Crisis

We provide onsite emergent services on Monday through Friday from 1 – 4pm. You may walk in or call our office between those hours to let us know that you need to see someone immediately. 

Evenings, weekends, and other times when we are closed, you may use these outside resources for immediate assistance:

• Crisis Care: 513-281-2273 (voice and tdd)
• Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE
• Psychiatric Emergency Services, University Hospital: 513-584-8577
• Mobile Crisis Team (for residents of Hamilton County): 513-584-8577

·         You can also call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room.

UC's Sexual Assault Response Coordinator is available 24 hours to assist students, faculty, staff and visitors to the campus who have been sexually assaulted. She can be reached at 513-218-9531.

Case Management

For clients who have other needs, we provide case management services, helping them identify on-campus or community resources.  This may include financial, legal, academic, or housing issues.   

UC has many offices that assist students with academic and personal needs. These include Educational Services, Women's Center, Ethnic Programs and Services, Center for Access and Transition, Career Development Center, Campus Ministry, Financial Aid, University Health Services, Impact Solutions, Disability Services, Judicial Affairs, and others.