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Get Started | Counseling Center
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href="/clinical-services" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/217">Clinical Services</a> </li> <li> <a href="/outreach-consultation" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/264">Outreach & Consultation</a> </li> <li> <a href="/resources" title="Resources" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/122">Resources</a> </li> <li> <a href="/diversity" title="Celebrating Human Diversity" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/103">Celebrating Diversity</a> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div class="col-800-9"> <nav aria-label="Breadcrumb"> <ol class="breadcrumb"> <li class="breadcrumb-item"><a href="/">Home</a></li> <li class="breadcrumb-item breadcrumb--active" aria-current="page">Get Started</li> </ol> </nav> <div data-history-node-id="104"> <div class="editor-content"> <h1>Get Started</h1> <p>The Counseling Center is here for any UMD students who are interested in taking the first step to seeking help. The first step begins with a <strong>Brief Assessment</strong>. Please review the information below to learn how to get started.</p> </div> </div> <div class="section section-umd_terp_basic_page section-ut_divider"> <div> <hr class="divider spacing-xlarge rule-none" id="umd_terp_paragraph--2402"> </div> </div> <div class="section section-umd_terp_basic_page section-ut_accordion"> <div class="accordion" id="accordion-988"> <!-- test comment --> <div class="card"> <div class="card-header" id="accordion-988-header-16"> <button class="btn" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#accordion-988-content-16" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="accordion-988-content-16"> How do I get started? </button> </div> <div id="accordion-988-content-16" class="collapse" aria-labelledby="accordion-988-header-16" data-parent="#accordion-988" > <div class="card-body"> <div> <div class="editor-content" id="umd_terp_paragraph--2411"> <p>Services at the Counseling Center begin with an initial appointment called a <strong>Brief Assessment</strong>, in which a student will meet with a counselor to discuss their needs and reasons for seeking services. The goal of this initial meeting is to determine the nature and impact of the student鈥檚 concerns and discuss options for addressing these issues. This appointment typically lasts 30 minutes. </p><p><strong>To schedule a brief assessment, call </strong><a href="tel:301-314-7651" title="Schedule brief assessment"><strong>(301) 314-7651</strong></a> or stop by the Counseling Center reception desk on the main level of the Shoemaker Building during our <a href="https://counseling.umd.edu/aboutus/hours-contact-info" title="Hours & contact info">hours of operation</a>. If you are experiencing an urgent crisis, please let the reception staff know so they can help you get seen for a same-day urgent visit. </p><p>Prior to meeting with a counselor, you will be asked to complete a set of online forms, including consent to receive treatment. At the end of the brief assessment appointment, the counselor will make recommendations about which of the variety of services or referral resources available will best address your concerns.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card"> <div class="card-header" id="accordion-988-header-17"> <button class="btn" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#accordion-988-content-17" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="accordion-988-content-17"> What if I need urgent help now? </button> </div> <div id="accordion-988-content-17" class="collapse" aria-labelledby="accordion-988-header-17" data-parent="#accordion-988" > <div class="card-body"> <div> <div class="editor-content" id="umd_terp_paragraph--2413"> <p style="background-color:#efefef;padding:20px;"><span><strong>If you or someone you know is experiencing a life-threatening mental health emergency, </strong></span><a href="tel:911" title="call 911"><span><strong>call 911</strong></span></a><span><strong> or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. </strong></span></p> </div> </div> <div> <hr class="divider spacing-small rule-none" id="umd_terp_paragraph--2414"> </div> <div> <div class="editor-content" id="umd_terp_paragraph--2415"> <p>In-person crisis response is available during business hours by stopping by the Counseling Center reception desk in the Shoemaker Building. Crisis response is available by phone outside of business hours by calling <a href="tel: 301-314-7651" title="Crisis response phone">(301) 314-7651</a>. </p> </div> </div> <div> <hr class="divider spacing-small rule-none" id="umd_terp_paragraph--2416"> </div> <a href="/get-help-now" class="btn btn-primary" target="_self"> Urgent Resources </a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card"> <div class="card-header" id="accordion-988-header-18"> <button class="btn" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#accordion-988-content-18" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="accordion-988-content-18"> Who is eligible for Counseling Center services? </button> </div> <div id="accordion-988-content-18" class="collapse" aria-labelledby="accordion-988-header-18" data-parent="#accordion-988" > <div class="card-body"> <div> <div class="editor-content" id="umd_terp_paragraph--983"> <p><span>All registered UMD students are eligible for mental health services through the Counseling Center. The type and amount of services that are recommended is different for every student and based on a thorough evaluation of each student鈥檚 concerns, needs, and experiences.</span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card"> <div class="card-header" id="accordion-988-header-19"> <button class="btn" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#accordion-988-content-19" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="accordion-988-content-19"> What do Counseling Center services cost? </button> </div> <div id="accordion-988-content-19" class="collapse" aria-labelledby="accordion-988-header-19" data-parent="#accordion-988" > <div class="card-body"> <div> <div class="editor-content" id="umd_terp_paragraph--989"> <p dir="ltr"><span>Counseling Center services are </span><strong>free</strong><span> to registered UMD students. </span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card"> <div class="card-header" id="accordion-988-header-20"> <button class="btn" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#accordion-988-content-20" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="accordion-988-content-20"> Will my visit be confidential? </button> </div> <div id="accordion-988-content-20" class="collapse" aria-labelledby="accordion-988-header-20" data-parent="#accordion-988" > <div class="card-body"> <div> <div class="editor-content" id="umd_terp_paragraph--2245"> <p>The Counseling Center keeps information about your visits and the content of your sessions confidential. </p><p>Specifically, the therapeutic relationship and what is discussed by a therapist and client are considered private and protected under state and federal law. The Counseling Center adheres to professional, legal, and ethical guidelines established by the State of Maryland and the American Psychological Association. Information about any aspect of your mental health services, including your appointments, records, and information you share, will not be disclosed to anyone outside of the Counseling Center鈥檚 professional staff without your written permission. Please note that clinical records are completely separate from educational records and cannot be accessed by parents, faculty, staff, university administrators, or others without your written permission or court order. </p><p>Please note that, in order to protect the client and/or the public, the state of Maryland requires that disclosure of certain information occur, even without the permission of the client, under the following circumstances:</p><ul><li>You are considered at immediate risk for harming yourself</li><li>You are considered at immediate risk for harming others</li><li>Previous or current child abuse</li><li>Abuse of elderly persons or persons with disabilities</li><li>A court order</li></ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="card"> <div class="card-header" id="accordion-988-header-21"> <button class="btn" data-toggle="collapse" data-target="#accordion-988-content-21" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="accordion-988-content-21"> What are the drop-in hours for underrepresented students? </button> </div> <div id="accordion-988-content-21" class="collapse" aria-labelledby="accordion-988-header-21" data-parent="#accordion-988" > <div class="card-body"> <div> <div class="editor-content" id="umd_terp_paragraph--2247"> <p><span>We recognize that cultural stigma about seeking help and unfamiliarity about the counseling process can prevent some students from getting the help they need. The Counseling Center provides </span><strong>drop-in hours for underrepresented students</strong><span> to make it easier for specific student populations to request time with a counselor in a safe and inclusive environment.</span></p><p><strong>During the fall and spring semesters</strong><span>, students from the following communities are welcome to drop-in to the Counseling Center on </span><strong>weekdays between 3:00-4:00 p.m.</strong><span> for an unscheduled visit:</span></p><ul><li><span>International students</span></li><li><span>Students of color</span></li><li><span>LGBTQ+ students*</span></li><li><span>Students part of the U.S. military (active duty or veterans)</span></li></ul><p><span>Students will meet with a counselor who is either an ally to their community or a member of their community. If you hold more than one marginalized identity, please choose the space that feels most relevant to your concerns at the time of the appointment.</span></p> </div> </div> <div> <hr class="divider spacing-small rule-small" id="umd_terp_paragraph--2248"> </div> <div> <div class="editor-content" id="umd_terp_paragraph--2251"> <p><span>* Therapists who identify as LGBTQ+ are available to meet with students on Mondays and Fridays. Therapists who identify as LGBTQ+ allies are available to meet with students on Tuesdays through Thursdays.</span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> <footer class="site-footer" aria-label="Main"> <div class="site-footer-main"> <div class="max-bound"> <nav class="site-footer-nav" aria-label="Footer"> <ul> <li> <a href="/aboutus" title="About the Counseling Center" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/56">About Us</a> </li> <li> <a href="/get-help-now" title="Get Help Now" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/129">Get Help Now</a> </li> <li> <a href="/aboutus/hours-contact-info" title="Contact the Counseling Center" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/262">Hours & Contact Information</a> </li> <li> <a href="/aboutus/make-gift" title="Make a Gift to the Counseling Center Scholarships" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/119">Make a Gift</a> </li> <li> <a href="/site-map" data-drupal-link-system-path="node/208">Site Map</a> </li> </ul> </nav> <div class="site-footer-about"> <div class="site-footer-logo"> <img src="/sites/default/files/dsa-ucc-logo.png" alt="Counseling Center footer logo"> </div> <div class="site-footer-address"> <strong>Counseling Center</strong><br> <span>1101 Shoemaker Building, 4281 Chapel Lane, College Park, MD</span><br> <a aria-label="13013147651" href="tel:+13013147651">1 (301) 314-7651</a> </div> <div class="site-footer-social"> <ul> <li> <a href="https://twitter.com/UMCounselingCtr" target="_blank"> <span class="sr-only">Visit our Twitter</span> <span class="icon icon-twitter" aria-hidden="true"></span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/UMDCounselingCenter/" target="_blank"> <span class="sr-only">Visit our Facebook</span> <span class="icon icon-facebook" aria-hidden="true"></span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/umdcounseling/" target="_blank"> <span class="sr-only">Visit our Instagram</span> <span class="icon icon-instagram" aria-hidden="true"></span> </a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQMydnSFOr6mZq5Qul2xTww" target="_blank"> <span class="sr-only">Visit our Youtube</span> <span class="icon icon-youtube" aria-hidden="true"></span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="site-footer-legal"> <div class="max-bound"> <ul> <li> <a href="https://umd.edu" target="_blank">UMD.edu</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.umd.edu/web-accessibility">Web Accessibility</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.umd.edu/privacy-notice" target="_blank">Privacy Notice</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </footer> <a href="#" class="back-to-top">Back to Top</a> </div> <script type="application/json" data-drupal-selector="drupal-settings-json">{"path":{"baseUrl":"\/","pathPrefix":"","currentPath":"node\/104","currentPathIsAdmin":false,"isFront":false,"currentLanguage":"en"},"pluralDelimiter":"\u0003","user":{"uid":0,"permissionsHash":"7ae8a1485786023de7cd311ab3c53a2fcf670d888297d81efdd1a2a913d2d532"}}</script> <script src="/sites/default/files/js/js_xNBBGcrBkdE_3gxdSKAkHrvuHYySyhG7-rXtVVB40sg.js?scope=footer&delta=0&language=en&theme=umd_terp&include=eJwrzU2JL0ktKtBPz8lPSszRKQXyi5Mz8vNzyjNTUuMzUhNTUov0QaIQJgDTjxMI"></script> <script src="https://umd-header.umd.edu/build/bundle.js?search=1&search_domain=counseling&events=0&news=0&schools=0&admissions=0&support=0&support_url=&wrapper=&sticky=0"></script> </body> </html>