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EKU Counseling Center (EKUCC)

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EKU Counseling Center (EKUCC)

The EKU Counseling Center provides a wide range of mental health services to support student emotional health and wellbeing. These services include brief individual therapy, therapy and support groups, mental health skill-building workshops, crisis support services, wellness spaces, and much more. Our services are confidential, following Kentucky laws and ethical guidelines, and we are committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and affirming environment for all persons who seek our services.

EKUCC offers mental health support and crisis services to EKU students, or those concerned about a student, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week including weekends, evenings, holidays, and during university closures. To access EKUCC after-hours mental health support and crisis services, please call 859-622-1303.

Crisis Services

General External Resources

Additional Services

Eligibility for Services

Any currently enrolled EKU student is eligible to have an Initial Assessment to determine appropriateness for EKUCC services. However, if students have attended classes in the spring semester and are enrolled for the fall, they can still access services during the summer if they are within the state of Kentucky. All EKUCC clinical and counseling services are free to students.

How to Make An Appointment: Call 859-622-1303, or stop by the office at Room 571 Whitlock Building to schedule an initial assessment during office hours.

Crisis Services: EKUCC offers 24/7 mental health support and crisis services to any EKU student or any person concerned about an EKU student. This service is available weekends, evenings, holidays, and during university closures. When appropriate, EKUCC staff will follow up with the caller on the university’s next business day.

To access EKUCC After Hours Urgent Support, please call 859-622-1303. If you need emergency assistance, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Services Provided

The EKU Counseling Center is part of an integrated behavioral health approach to providing mental health services to EKU students. As such, the Center values a team approach with Student Health Services and the EKU Psychology Clinic to provide mental health and wellness services.

EKU Student Health Services
Psychiatry services are provided by EKU Student Health Services. To inquire about the prescribing of medications for mental health concerns contact the EKU Student Health Services at 859-622-1761 or visit their website at Student Health Services.

EKU Psychology Clinic
The EKU Psychology Clinic provides a range of specialty clinics including assessment services such as psychological testing and evaluations. Currently enrolled EKU students are not charged for therapy or assessment services. A referral from the EKU Counseling Center is required to initiate services at the Psychology Clinic. To determine appropriateness for a referral, students must complete an Initial Assessment with the Counseling Center. To schedule an Initial Assessment, call the Center at 859-622-1303. For more information about the clinic, visit their website at EKU Psychology Clinic.

Reasons for Referral
A student may need to secure services at another on-campus location or in the greater community for various reasons, such as:

  • When you are interested in long-term treatment
  • When you want psychological testing and formal assessment for accommodations, litigation, and other situations outside the role and scope of EKUCC services
  • When you would like to get connected with services and resources on campus or the community but are unsure which resource is matching your needs
  • When you want to locate psychological services closer to home
  • When students are out of state or returning home for a break, and need support prior to returning to EKU

If you are unsure about which resource on or off campus is best for your needs, come to the EKUCC and request to complete an Initial Assessment. Once you complete the necessary paperwork, you will then meet with a clinician, discuss your needs, and receive a recommendation.

College life can be filled with challenges. It is typically a time of tremendous change and growth, with many new experiences. While valuable, all of this can be stressful. These changes and stresses can also lead to a variety of mental health-related symptoms and concerns. The Counseling Center staff is available to help students with any problems they may be experiencing, large or small, as they navigate this complex territory.

Here are few examples of the types of help available:

  • Stress management and relaxation training
  • Treatment for anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues
  • Relationship therapy (both partners must be currently enrolled EKU students)
  • Family of origin issues
  • Gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender affirmative therapy
    Treatment for trauma experiences (current and/or past abuse; trauma-related events)
  • Multicultural affirmative counseling
  • Treatment for eating disorders
Individual and Relationship Therapy Guidelines

Therapy services are typically brief in nature, and students will be evaluated to determine if their concerns are within the role and scope of EKUCC. Referrals to other agencies/practitioners may be made for concerns that require specialized care. These referrals may be made following an Initial Assessment, upon completion of therapy at the Counseling Center, or anytime during the course of treatment.

EKUCC offers group therapy, drop-in supportive spaces, and drop-in mental health and wellness groups. All therapy groups and drop-in spaces meet weekly at a specific time and location.

Drop-in supportive spaces provide an affirming and safe space for students who have similar life experiences or shared identities. Members often feel validated, understood, and encouraged by connecting with other students. Examples of these similar experiences or shared identities are: being a first generation college student, living life as a student with a health disability, being an international student, being an LGBTQ+ student, etc. These support groups meet the same time and day every week for 1 hour and are facilitated by a EKUCC licensed clinician. Attend all or as many as fits your schedule! All supportive spaces are led by licensed EKUCC mental health clinicians.

Balancing Act: Student Parent Support Workshop
A supportive space for a community of parents coming together to share experiences, discuss challenges, seek guidance, and celebrate successes. This group will also provide guidance in conscious parenting techniques.

TUESDAYS, 2:00 -3:00 PM Sep 3 – Nov 22
Center for Student Parents, Turley House

Beyond Labels (LGBTQIA+ Support Group)
Beyond Labels is an affirming supportive space for students who have and/or are questioning having LGBTQIA* identities. This support group meets weekly on Mondays in Room 568 of the Whitlock Building and is provided by the EKU Counseling Center. For more information, contact Dr. Camala (Cam) Steele (they/she) at Camala.Steele@eku.edu or 859-622-1303 for more information.

THURSDAYS, 11AM-12PM
Powell Building, Room 013 CIEGE Office (bottom floor Powell)

Students with Health or Other Disabilities Support Group
This supportive space is for students managing a chronic health condition as part of their college adventure. This DROP-IN support group meets weekly and is provided by the EKU Counseling Center. For more information, contact Michalle Rice at michalle.rice@eku.edu or call 859-622-1303.

THURSDAYS, 2:00 – 3:00 PM
Whitlock Building, Room 568

The focus in group therapy is increasing self-awareness, identifying patterns in interpersonal relationships, and trying out new strategies to cope with the common experiences, and increase comfort in applying these strategies outside the group room. Think of group as a “laboratory” to try new patterns of interactions, skills, and strategies to alter/change these patterns in a safe space. Group therapy is tailored to help students with certain concerns or experiences therefore are often more effective, and preferred, over individual therapy. All therapy groups are led by licensed EKUCC mental health clinicians.

Groups accept approximately 8-10 students with similar issues, interests and/or experiences who meet WEEKLY for 90 minutes at the Counseling Center. Group provides a safe space where students often feel empowered and validated when in a room with others who can relate to shared concerns and experiences-they “get it.” What former EKUCC group members had to say about their group experience:

  • “The sense of inclusion within the group made me fell like I was normal and that a lot of people go through the same things.”
  • “It taught me how to better express and better control my emotions.”
  • “Hearing others’ stories inspired me and encouraged me to continue my own personal journey.”
  • “This group helped me not only accept myself more but others as well.”
How Do I Join A Therapy Group?

All therapy groups require students to be a client at the Counseling Center. Students are asked to complete an Initial Assessment. These can be scheduled by calling the EKUCC at (859) 622-1303 or dropping by Whitlock Bldg. Room 571. A recommendation from the assessment can be a referral to group therapy. A group orientation meeting will be scheduled with the group leader to learn details about the group.

Questions? Feel free to contact the group leader via email or by calling the Counseling Center at (859) 622-1303.

Current Groups

Grief is a normal and natural response to loss. It can also feel overwhelming, lonely, and complicated. Grief Group is safe space to receive support, learn to cope, and to connect with other students who are also adjusting to the death of a friend, family member, or loved one. This weekly in-person group is provided by the EKU Counseling Center. Interested? Please email Michalle Rice at michalle.rice@eku.edu or call 859-622-1303 for more information.

THURSDAYS: 2:30pm – 4pm

This group is for individuals that have been negatively impacted by growing up in an alcoholic, drug addicted or otherwise unpredictable family environment. Topics often discussed include understanding the impact of these family patterns, learning how to recognize and develop healthy relationships, and addressing negative beliefs about oneself. This weekly in-person group is provided by the EKU Counseling Center. A group orientation is required to join this group. Please email Kevin Stanley at kevin.stanley@eku.edu or call 859-622-1303 for more information.

THURSDAYS: 2:30pm – 4pm

Start from Now is a group to support those dealing with body image issues and/or disordered eating patterns through a blend of education and discussion. This weekly in-person group is provided by the EKU Counseling Center. A group orientation is required to join this group. Please contact Melissa Cozart at melissa.cozart@eku.edu or call 859-622-1303 for more information.

WEDNESDAYS: 2:30pm – 4pm

Integrate to Regulate is a group designed to promote healing for trauma survivors. This group incorporates specific, concrete skills combined with expressive arts to support the process of trauma integration. This weekly group is provided by the EKU Counseling Center. A group orientation is required to join this group. Please email Andri Yennari at andri.yennari@eku.edu or call 859-622-1303 for more information.

THURSDAYS: 3pm – 4pm

Understanding Self and Others is a group that supports participants as they create healthy relationships with others and with themselves. This group promotes authentic interactions as well as learning from others’ experiences. In a time of isolation and loneliness, this group can help create a sense of connection and belonging. This weekly in-person group is provided by the EKU Counseling Center. A group orientation is required to join this group. Please email Michalle Rice at michalle.rice@eku.edu or call 859-622-1303 for more information.

FRIDAYS: 2pm – 3:30pm

Leveling Up is a group that provides interpersonal support as participants navigate D&D campaigns together. This weekly in-person group is provided by the EKU Counseling Center. A group orientation is required to join this group. Please email Paul Morgan at paul.morgan@eku.edu or call 859-622-1303 for more information.

FRIDAYS: 2pm – 4pm

Men’s group is a supportive space for male students to connect, grow, and discuss topics like self-esteem, stress, relationships, gender roles, body image, and masculinity. Our focus is on personal development, community values, diversity, and mutual respect. This weekly therapy group is provided by the EKU Counseling Center. A group orientation is required to join this group. Please email Paul Morgan at paul.morgan@eku.edu or call 859-622-1303 for more information.

MONDAYS: 3pm – 4:30pm

What Is Outreach?
Outreach is about increasing college student mental health awareness through prevention, awareness, education, and stigma reduction. Through outreach, EKUCC staff and Mental Health Peer Advocate students (MHPAs) are able to connect with the larger EKU community

Outreach topics provided (but are not limited to):

  • Stress Management
  • Meditation and Relaxation Techniques
  • Counseling Center Services
  • QPR: Suicide Prevention Training (more info below)
  • Additional outreach topics are available upon request

We can all save lives. Just like CPR, QPR – Question, Persuade, Refer-is an emergency response to someone in crisis. The Counseling Center is offering training to ALL in the campus community: student groups, student organizations, departments, faculty, staff, and any other campus group interested in this leading suicide prevention program. QPR is listed in the SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-based Practices and Policies. For more information about this specific program, visit the QPR website.

Open QPR Registration (EKU Students Only)
We will conduct all of our Open QPR presentations through the SLATE portal. If you are interested in signing up, please follow the link below to register. Due to the structure of the training, each section is limited to 30 participants. This training is 1 hour in length.

New Employee QPR Registration
The QPR New Employee Registration Form lists the dates and times for the New Employee QPR Trainings. Please select one time slot to attend, and complete all required information. Due to the structure of the training, each section is limited to 30 participants.

Counseling Center Mission & Accreditation

Mission & Accreditation
The mission of the EKU Counseling Center (EKUCC) is to foster the psychological development and emotional wellbeing of students through psychotherapy, prevention and educational programming, consultation, and outreach, as well as contributions to the field of mental health care. EKUCC is accredited by the International Association of Counseling Services.

Counseling Center FAQs

In counseling, your therapist will work with you to identify your personal goals for therapy. You can expect that your therapist will listen closely to understand your experiences, and will work with you to help achieve these goals. It often involves: getting a different perspective on your experiences, exploring, and discovering things about yourself, making changes in unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaving, processing difficult experiences which may include trauma, and learning healthy coping tools.

Psychotherapy and mental health services can be helpful if:

  • The distress in your life has reached a point where it is difficult or hard to function physically and/or mentally
  • Your overall life satisfaction is not where you want it to be
  • Your mood is negatively affecting your ability to go to class, manage school work, or enjoying your life

Students also meet with a clinician for a wide variety of other issues such as: homesickness, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, substance use and abuse, social anxiety, relationships concerns, sexual assault, current and/or past abuse or trauma, eating concerns, low self-esteem, grief or loss, sexual orientation, identity development, experiences with discrimination, etc.

No, EKUCC does not have a session limit for individual or group therapy.

Meeting with a clinician is confidential. We will not release any information about you outside EKUCC without your permission. There are legal exceptions such as situations involving child or adult abuse or neglect, court orders or subpoena of records, or immediate and serious danger to self or others. See our Confidentiality Page for specific details.

Your first meeting at EKUCC (the Initial Assessment) typically lasts 30-60 minutes. This includes the 30 minutes it usually takes to complete the required information needed before you meet with the clinician on-call. Appointment-based group sessions last 90 minutes. Drop-in or support groups last 60 minutes. Individual or relationship therapy sessions last 45-50 minutes.

First, call the EKUCC office during office hours to schedule an Initial Assessment. At this brief meeting, the initial assessment clinician will ask some questions about what led you to seek therapy and counseling services. At the end of this meeting, the assessment clinician will discuss their recommendations with you.

No, EKUCC does not provide the necessary testing and assessment for ESA, ADHD, or other accommodations as defined by the American Disabilities Act (ADA). If you are interested in documentation and/or testing for these accommodations, see our list of resources or visit the EKU Center for Student Accessibility for referral information.

If you request a letter of support from EKUCC, a Request for Documentation form must be completed first. The Request for Documentation form is available at the front desk of our office (located in Whitlock Bldg, Room 571). Please note the following when requesting a letter or documentation regarding therapy services:

  • Letters will be provided only in the event you have an established treatment plan and therapeutic relationship with your clinician. This is defined as attending multiple sessions during a treatment episode.
  • All requests for letters much be made at least two (2) working days in advance of when they are needed.
  • If you request documentation to be released to an agency or person other than yourself, a Release of Information form must be completed. This allows EKUCC to share your confidential information. Stop by EKUCC in Whitlock, Room 571 or call 859-622-1303 to discuss your request.

Yes. Although we do not have clinicians on staff that are trained in ASL, you can request an interpreter. Visit the Center for Student Accessibility website for more information.

EKUCC does offer graduate training practicums and internships under the supervision of licensed EKUCC psychologists.

Guides & Resources

EKUCC Events

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Contact Information

Counseling Center

Whitlock Building
Room 571

Hours – Fall & Spring Semesters:
Mon-Fri: 8 am – 4:30 pm

Hours – Summer Semesters:
Mon-Thurs: 7:30 am – 5 pm
CLOSED Fridays

859-622-1303

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