The Counseling Center provides a variety of free brief and time-limited services for currently enrolled CMU students. Services include confidential individual counseling, group counseling, or referral for: personal issues such as an urgent situation or crisis, anxiety, depression, homesickness, loneliness, identity concerns, alcohol/drug abuse, eating concerns, college transitions, stress management, relationship concerns, couples concerns, family stress, grief/loss, relapse prevention, sexual orientation, strengthening coping skills, and personal growth and development; improving academic success by reducing stress and focused anxiety (e.g., test, math, speech), and learning study and time management skills; primary and secondary survivors of sexual and domestic violence, stalking, and harassment.
Mission Statement
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The information you share in counseling is privileged and confidential. Counselors consult with one another as needed to assist students. A signed Consent for Release of Privileged Information form is required to disclose to a third party any information about the counseling you have received. There are exceptions to confidentiality. If you are under 18, discuss with your counselor how this may impact some aspects of confidentiality. Your counselor is required to report disclosed information to the appropriate authorities:
- When serious and foreseeable harm to you or others is evident;
- When release of confidential information is required by court order or requested by you;
- When child abuse or neglect is evident or suspected;
- When abuse, neglect or exploitation of adults who are vulnerable due to physical or mental impairment or advanced age is evident or suspected.
Some confidential client information is stored on Counseling Center computers. No individual data or information is reported outside of the center. Computers are password protected and access limited to professional counselors and office professionals. Client notes which may be stored on a counselor's computer are password protected. Because email, cellular and cordless phones, and fax machines are not secure means to transmit confidential information we discourage using them for this purpose.
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Types of Services
Individual Therapy: Individual counseling is offered to help individuals solve problems and enhance their personal growth and development. Your progress will depend primarily upon the nature of your problems and how hard you work to solve them.
Group Therapy: Group counseling helps people solve problems and enhance their personal growth and development. Your progress will depend primarily upon the nature of your problems and how hard you work to solve them.
Information You Should Know About Group Counseling:
- Group counseling involves personal, academic, or career concerns with group members.
- There is no fee.
- Discussions within the group are confidential except when the counselor believes a person might act on the idea of harming him/herself or someone else, when child abuse or neglect is reported, or when information is requested by court order. If you are receiving individual counseling within the center, the group leader may choose to communicate with your individual counselor. If this is a concern to you please discuss it with your counselor.
- The number of sessions the group meets is determined by the counselor.
- Some of the groups will close or not accept new members after a few weeks. If members need to miss a session, contact with the counselor prior to the session will be appreciated. If at any time you wish to stop attending the group tell your counselor. This will allow us to serve students best.
- If you are uncomfortable with your attending the group, please discuss this with your counselor and/or the group. Decisions to stop group or switch to individual counseling often are appropriate choices and will be respected. On occasion, counselors will make referrals to appropriate resources in the community.
- Feel free to discuss questions or concerns you might have about the Counseling Center with any of our counselors.
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Support Groups/Workshops
Is Your Family Driving You Crazy??? Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families Group: Learn coping skills to deal with the negative emotional and social effects of growing up in a dysfunctional family. Every Friday, starting February 15 - April 12; 1:00p - 1:50p, Foust Hall, Room 103. Facilitated by Sharon Tilmann, MA, LMSW, LPC. To register call the CMU Counseling Center at 774-3381. Questions? Contact Sharon Tilmann at 774-3381 or tilma1s@cmich.edu.
Grief and Loss Support Group Are you dealing with the pain of losing someone or something that you love? This group will give you an opportunity to share, explore, and work through your grief with others who have experienced loss. This group will be held in Foust Hall, Room 103 starting Friday, February 22 - April 19, 2013; 11:00 - 11:50 a.m. Please contact Counseling Center Interns Julie Wellman at wellm2ja@cmich.edu or Jackie Johnston at johns29j@cmich.edu or call 989-774-3381 if interested.
Labyrinth Workshops The Counseling Center has a 24-foot diameter canvas labyrinth. Labyrinth workshops are available for classes and RSOs. The labyrinth path is a symbol for one's life journey and can be walked individually or collectively. The walk offers opportunities for reflection, relaxation, creativity, problem solving, and team building. Please contact Michelle Bigard at bigar1mf@cmich.edu or by calling 774-3381.
For more information about group services, please call 989-774-3381.
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Eligibility for Services
Counseling Center services are available to currently enrolled CMU students (full or part-time).
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Counseling Risks and Benefits
Sometimes, as you change, the relationships around you change. Counseling often involves talking about and expressing intense and possibly painful emotions, facing and dealing with difficult situations in the present, or recalling frightening or challenging parts of your personal history. Counseling may result in feeling better about oneself and others, strengthening coping skills, reaching or making progress on one's counseling goals, improving interpersonal relationships, solving problems, improved academic performance, determining a major/career direction, having a safe place to express emotions, or building on one's strengths. Discuss questions or concerns you have about the possible risks and benefits of counseling with your counselor.
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Rights and Responsibilities of Clients
Your Rights as a Client
- The right of confidentiality, as defined on the previous page.
- The right to ask questions and be informed about the nature of counseling and the Counseling center's services. If you do not agree with some part of the services you are receiving, you have the right to withdraw your consent to receive services at any time.
- The right to be treated with respect for your personal dignity, autonomy, and privacy. Counseling Center faculty and staff members strive to protect and promote the basic human dignity to which you are entitled.
- The right not to be discriminated against because of your age, gender, race ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or socioeconomic status.
- The right to request a different counselor than the one assigned to you.
- The right to terminate counseling at any time.
- The right to a defined counseling goal mutually decided upon by you and your counselor.
- The right to be informed, if at all possible before your scheduled appointment time, if your counselor is ill or for other reasons unable to meet with you.
- The right to be referred to another helping professional if you desire or could benefit from long term counseling, or if your concerns go beyond our expertise or Scope of Practice.
Your Responsibilities as a Client
- To inform the administrative secretary by phone AT LEAST 24 hours in advance or as soon as possible if you cannot meet your appointment time.
- To be on time for appointments with your counselor.
- To be honest with your counselor, to let him/her know what you like or do not like about what is happening in counseling, or if you feel counseling is not meeting your needs.
- To be actively involved in the counseling process by stating your counseling goals, helping to determine session direction and focus, discussing issues that are important to you, using time outside of each session to work on your counseling goals, attempting to change when this is relevant, and learning how one's growth and development can continue following counseling.
- To tell your counselor if you wish to terminate the counseling relationship or wish to request a different counselor.
Please discuss any questions or concerns about your counseling or the Counseling Center with your counselor, other CMU counselors, the Counseling Center Director Dr. Ross Rapaport, or the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, Mr. Tony Voisin (774-3346). The Counseling Center welcomes your comments and suggestions concerning the services we provide. Formal complaints about a counselor may be made to the State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Health Professions, Allegation Section, P.O. Box 30670, Lansing, MI 48909-8170, phone: 517-373-9196
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Scope of Practice
Scope of Practice
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Office Information
Office Hours The office is open from 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday when the university is open.
Phone 989-774-3381
Fax 989-774-1124
E-mail counsel@cmich.edu
Location The Counseling Center is located on the first floor of Foust Hall, Room 102. Foust Hall is situated on Preston Street across from the Health Professions Building.
Fees None for individual or group counseling. A modest fee is charged to cover our expenses for some testing.
Staff Decription/Bios All counseling services are provided by licensed or limited licensed mental health professionals, such as counselors, social workers, and psychologists. The staff also includes mental health trainees that are being directly supervised by a licensed mental health provider. Your counselor will provide you with a Professional Disclosure Statement to inform you about his/her training and practice. Copies of all counselor Professional Disclosure Statements are available in the reception area. At times, your initial counselor may transfer you to another counselor because of scheduling or expertise reasons. If you are uncomfortable with your counselor, discuss this with him/her if possible. You may request to be seen by another counselor. Decisions to change counselors or stop counseling are respected. Click HERE for staff bios.
Employment & Training Opportunities
Employment & Training Opportunities
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Making an Appointment
Students need to schedule an appointment to be seen. However, emergency and urgent appointments are available throughout the day. Tell the receptionist if you need to be seen immediately and we will make every effort to ensure you will be seen the same day you call. Please call as early in the day as possible to schedule an urgent or emergency appointment.
How to Make an Appointment
Appointments may be made by calling (989) 774-3381, or by stopping by the Counseling Center in 102 Foust Hall between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - noon or between 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. The Counseling Center is open Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. when the university is open. At other times if an emergency, contact counselors by calling CMU Police at 989-774-3081.
Individual counseling sessions are 45 to 50 minutes in length. Same day or next day initial appointments with counselors are generally available throughout the academic year. Students with EMERGENCY or URGENT concerns will be given priority. Please inform the receptionist if your situation is an emergency or urgent and you need to be seen today.
Paperwork for First Appointment
You can print these documents, complete them, and bring them to your first appointment. Click HERE to open forms. If you decide to complete the paperwork at the counseling center, please come about 15 minutes before your appointment time to complete the forms. Click HERE for some suggestions and tips on self-care and what to do while you are waiting for your counseling appointment.
Cancellations and Not Showing for Appointments
Counseling services are in high demand. In order to accommodate all students requesting appointments, we require that you notify the Counseling Center AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE of canceling an appointment. You may be taken off your counselor's calendar if you "no show" for an appointment without calling to cancel or repeatedly cancel appointments.
Wait List
You may be placed on a wait list following your initial appointment if all counselors' schedules are filled. You will be notified as soon as an opening occurs that fits your schedule. Feel free to contact us regarding your wait list status. While on the wait list you may request a single session if you believe that you need to be seen immediately. Click HERE for some suggestions and tips on self-care and what to do while you are waiting for your counseling appointment.
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Emergencies
If there is concern about immediate or imminent violence by the student to himself / herself or others, call 911.
For counseling emergency or urgent situations that occur during regular office hours (8:00 a.m.-noon and 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.), contact the Counseling Center at 989-774-3381.
After Hours Emergencies
Counselors and/or crisis center staff are available 24 hours/365 days a year to help with serious after-hour mental health emergencies. Call the CMU police (off-campus: dial 989-774-3081; on-campus: dial 911) to reach a counselor/crisis center staff after hours. These after hour resources are only available for CMU personnel or enrolled students. You can also call Listening Ear Crisis & Referral Helpline (open 24 hours/day) at 989-772-2918.
Various community emergency services are available:
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Self-Help Resources
On-Line Self-Help Library This links to informational articles about general mental health, specific mental health conditions, self-care practices, college/academic issues, financial issues, social/relationship concerns, career development, cultural diversity, and helping others.
Virtual Toolbox This links to on-line videos, MP3s, podcasts, electronic workbooks, and virtual workshops. All of these tools are designed to help you relax, laugh, find a healthy perspective, learn about ways of coping with specific problems, and participate in workbooks/workshops about common student issues.
Helpful_Web_Sites This links to other websites that may be helpful for your concerns and questions.
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Referral Information
Other CMU Services/Resources
Counseling Services in the Mt Pleasant Community
* Disclaimer * The following resource information includes agency and individual providers of mental health services and links to additional educational information. We do not guarantee or assure provider quality or the outcome of treatment with a specific service provider, or the accuracy of educational information provided by a specific web site. We encourage individuals to carefully check out providers for compatibility and price range. If your first choice does not meet your needs, we encourage you to try another provider. Additional listings of mental health services can be found in the Human Services and Public Awareness Services listings in area local phone books. Also see yellow page listings under counselors; psychologists; psychotherapists; marriage, family and child counselors; mental health services; and physicians (for psychiatrists). Lastly, you can click HERE in order to access Listening Ear’s On-Line Resource Directory, which provides additional referral information.
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Screenings
Mental Health Screenings
*PLEASE NOTE* This screening program will refer to resources and services that are offered through CMU for currently enrolled CMU students. For Mt. Pleasant area community resource information see the "Referral Information" section of the Counseling Center's website https://go.cmich.edu/support_services/health_medical/CounselingCenter/Pages/default.aspx
Military Mental Health Screening
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Other Services
- Referral assistance for students, parents, faculty and staff
- Referral to appropriate off-campus agencies and other CMU services and resources
- Consultation with students, parents, faculty and staff
- Outreach programs (may be available upon request)
- For after-hours help: Counselors and/or crisis center staff are available 24 hours/365 days a year to help with serious after-hour mental health emergencies. Call the CMU police (off-campus: dial 989-774-3081; on-campus: dial 911) to reach a counselor/crisis center staff after hours. These after hour resources are only available for CMU personnel or enrolled students. You can also call Listening Ear Crisis & Referral Helpline (open 24 hours/day) at 989-772-2918.
- McLaren Free Clinic Website Information http://www.mclaren.org/CentralMichigan/FreeCliniccm.aspx
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