I’m in crisis, what should I do?
Who is eligible for services?
How much do services cost?
How do I schedule an appointment?
What will happen when I call to schedule an appointment?
What will happen at my first appointment?
What is group therapy and what are its benefits?
If my clinician suggests group therapy, do I have to take this as an option?
What concerns do you typically work with?
Who can generally benefit from therapy at the Counseling Center?
Are there difficulties you do not work with?
What happens if my difficulties are outside your scope of service?
Is there a limit to the number of sessions I can receive?
How long do sessions last?
Do I have a say in my counseling?
What if I’m already in counseling or have recently been in counseling?
Can I get medication at the Counseling Center?
Who will know I’ve been to the Counseling Center?
What are the exceptions to confidentiality?
What will happen if you are required to disclose my information?
Who will be providing my counseling?
What if I don’t like my counselor?
What happens over the holidays?
What happens in cases of bad weather?
I’m in crisis, what should I do?
In an Immediately Life-threatening Emergency, Call:
On campus: 812/492-7777 (Office of Public Safety)
Off campus: 911 or go the nearest Emergency Room
The Counseling Center is available to all students during a crisis (even if a student has already been referred to community resources). If you have an urgent or life-threatening situation, please come to or call the Counseling Center and inform front office personnel that you have an emergency situation. DO NOT send an e-mail or leave a message – we want to talk with you!
After normal business hours, please use one of the following resources in an emergency. Unless otherwise noted, all these resources are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Suicide Prevention
Domestic/Intimate Partner Violence
Sexual Assault
Who is eligible for services?
Services are available to all currently enrolled USI students (services for faculty and staff are available through the University’s EAP provider, Deaconess Concern). Students needing extensive or specialized services may be referred to community resources.
Incoming students, prior to the beginning of their first term, and graduate students who are not currently taking classes, are not eligible for services.
How much do services cost?
All services are supported by tuition and student fees, and students do not need to pay extra to access counseling services. However, students found responsible for certain violations of the Code of Student Behavior may be charged an additional administrative fee for a Substance Use Assessment.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Appointments can be scheduled during regular business hours (Monday - Friday: 8am - 4:30pm) by telephone (812/464-1867) or in person (Orr Center, room 1051). Appointments must be made by the student and cannot be made by a family member or friend.
What will happen when I call to schedule an appointment?
When an individual calls about an appointment, front office personnel will obtain your contact information and ask you a few questions about your reasons for seeking assistance. Based on your availability, we will attempt to schedule an intake appointment for you as soon as possible. During certain times of the year there is a high demand for services, so the earlier you call the better. If you are experiencing a high level of distress and do not feel you can wait, please communicate this to our front office personnel who will take your concerns to our professional staff.
What will happen at my first appointment?
Initial appointments typically last about 90 minutes. For the first 30 minutes you will read about our services and will complete documents that inform us about your current difficulties and needs. After completing these forms, you will meet with one of our professionally trained counselors where you will discuss your presenting concerns and other aspects of your life that will help us to better understand you and your particular situation. Toward the end of your initial appointment, the counselor will discuss with you his/her initial thoughts and recommendations for treatment.
What is group therapy and what are its benefits?
For many issues/problems, group therapy is the treatment of choice. While group therapy can be scary at first, when individuals give it a try, they often find the support of fellow group members, who have similar difficulties, to be invaluable. Individuals who participate in group therapy learn to address their difficulties and learn new skills in a trusting and therapeutic environment. Clients not only benefit from the help of the therapists, but also from the experiences of fellow group members. Clients often develop a sense of empowerment as their personal experiences and insights help their fellow group members.
If my clinician suggests group therapy, do I have to take this as an option?
Please know that if the counselor suggests that you participate in group therapy, it is his/her professional opinion that this is a good option to meet your needs. However, we strongly believe that you should be an active participant in the ongoing decision-making process. Therefore, if you have any concerns about group therapy, please discuss these with the counselor so that a mutual decision about your treatment can be reached.
What concerns do you typically work with?
Students seek our assistance for any number of reasons. Some typical issues, include:
• Transitioning to college
• Loneliness or isolation
• Unhealthy relationships
• Sexual assault, relationship violence, or stalking
• Low mood/depression
• Anxiety/worry
• Sexuality or gender identity
• The loss of a loved one
• Traumatic events
• Alcohol or drug use
• The experience of discrimination and prejudice
• Body-image and/or eating disorders
• High levels of stress
This is not an exhaustive list, and if your difficulty or concern is not listed above, that is okay; we are still here to help!
Who can generally benefit from therapy at the Counseling Center?
To benefit from our short-term counseling model, a student should generally be able to identify their current areas of difficulty, develop goals for treatment, engage in self-exploration, and be able to tolerate some negative feelings. Further, the student should be motivated for change and be able to share personal information in a positive and trusting environment.
Are there difficulties you do not work with?
While the vast majority of USI students can benefit from treatment at the Counseling Center, some students are best served through treatment in the community. Students that have frequent emergencies, have a history of multiple psychiatric hospitalizations, or engage in behaviors that are likely to cause significant physical injury or even death, are likely to require treatment from a facility where more extensive and/or specialized care is available. Alternative treatment should also be considered when a student requires frequent, intensive, and/or long-term treatment to address their needs. When it is determined that a student is better served by community resources, an appropriate referral will be made. However, Counseling Center personnel may work with the student on a temporary basis as appropriate.
What happens if my difficulties are outside your scope of service?
Several factors (including the student’s preferences) are considered when deciding whether to provide treatment. However, when it is determined that a student is better served by community resources, an appropriate referral will be made. In those situations where a student has an emergency, but their needs are better addressed in the community, Counseling Center personnel may work with the student on a temporary basis, as appropriate, until community support has been established or the crisis has passed.
Is there a limit to the number of sessions I can receive?
Due to the high demand for our services and our desire to help as many students as possible, services are delivered according to a short-term counseling model. Most students typically remain in individual counseling for about 5 sessions; the exact number of session you receive will be determined by you and your counselor. Students may remain in group counseling indefinitely if their needs are deemed appropriate to group.
How long do sessions last?
The initial intake appointment typically lasts 80-90 minutes, which includes 30 minutes for paperwork. Subsequent individual therapy sessions typically last 50 minutes. Group therapy sessions typically last 75-90 minutes
Do I have a say in my counseling?
We want you to be an active participant in the counseling process; therefore, we will inform you of your options, as well as the likely benefits and negative consequences of each option. Services are intended to help, and while they do help many people, it is important for you to know that even with everyone's best effort, no particular result can be guaranteed. While all negative consequences cannot be anticipated, one common occurrence is the experience of emotional discomfort. We believe that the benefits of counseling are worth such risks, and that working through uncomfortable feelings and/or other difficulties can be a necessary part of feeling better. Please discuss this with your counselor on an ongoing basis since you must be the judge about the services you receive based on the benefits and risks that counseling holds for you.
What if I’m already in counseling or have recently been in counseling?
If you are already in counseling but would like to receive services at the USI Counseling Center instead, we would like to discuss your situation with your current provider so that we can determine the appropriate setting and level of care needed to address your needs. This will often require you to sign a release of information with us or your current provider.
Can I get medication at the Counseling Center?
Currently, the Counseling Center does not offer psychiatric (i.e., medication) services. However, should you or the counselor feel that medication, either alone or in conjunction with ongoing therapy, is indicated, we are happy to facilitate a referral to the University Health Center or community resources.
Who will know I’ve been to the Counseling Center?
All communications, including your decision to even seek counseling, are kept confidential. We will not release information about you to anyone outside the Counseling Center without your written consent, except for certain exceptions that are required by law. Additionally, should you be assessed to be a danger to yourself or others, or if hospitalization is pursued (either voluntarily or involuntarily), information about the situation will be disclosed to appropriate university personnel, your parents or guardians (as appropriate), and other essential third parties. Any required disclosure will be made to the appropriate authority and will be limited to material relevant to the issues involved.
What are the exceptions to confidentiality?
Exceptions to confidentiality include, but are not limited to the following:
• If we believe you are in imminent danger of self-harm.
• If there is reason to believe that child, elder, or dependent abuse has
occurred.
• If you report being sexually assaulted and are under the age of 18.
• If you express threats of violence towards another person.
• If federal law enforcement officials request your information under
the United States Patriot Act.
• If hospitalization is pursued (either voluntarily or involuntarily).
• Under court order, subpoena or as otherwise required by law.
What will happen if you are required to disclose my information?
Please know that exceptions to confidentiality are rare. However, if this should occur, it is the Counseling Center’s policy that, whenever possible, we will discuss with you any action that is being considered. Any required disclosure in these situations will be made to the appropriate authority and will be limited to material directly relevant to the issue(s) involved.
Who will be providing my counseling?
All members of the Counseling Center staff have a master's degree or doctoral degree in one of the helping professions (Psychology, Social Work, etc.). All staff members have a wide variety of experiences working with university students and have completed supervised experience(s) as a part of their training. With your permission, you may also be asked to work with one of our “clinicians working toward licensure.” These individuals are no longer students and have a wealth of experience.
What if I don’t like my counselor?
It is our goal to find the best possible fit between you and the members of our staff. If at any time during the counseling process you have concerns about your working relationship, you are encouraged to share them with the counselor assisting you. You have the right to refuse treatment recommendations, request to see a different counselor, or end services at any time. You also may, at any time, ask for a referral to an outside professional. Likewise, we reserve the right to terminate services if we do not believe you can benefit from our services, or if we determine that our particular services are no longer helpful.
What happens over the holidays?
The Counseling Centers’ days and hours of operation are taken directly from the official University schedule; thus, the Counseling Center will be open and/or closed according to this schedule.
What happens in cases of bad weather?
If the university closes due to inclement weather, the Counseling Center will also be closed and we will contact you as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is a SAFE ZONE for individuals of all ethnicities, abilities, religions, sexual orientations, physical appearances/sizes, and gender identities.
Contact Information
Location: OC 1051
Phone: 812-464-1867
Email: usi.caps@usi.edu
Hours: M - F, 8am - 4:30pm
Request an Appointment
Click here to request an appointment. After your request is submitted, we will contact you to schedule an appointment.
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