Oglethorpe University Counseling Center

Oglethorpe University Counseling Center offers mental health, wellness, and consultation services to support the campus community and current students’ pursuit of their academic and personal goals. Programs are designed to empower and motivate students to think and promote change about issues relating to health and wellness.

Initial Assessments and Attendance Guidelines:

To schedule your initial assessment, select from the open time slots according to your availability. Provide your accurate OU email address when you sign up for an initial assessment to receive important information from our office. Please plan for your virtual appointment to take 90 minutes. The first 30 minutes will involve completing initial paperwork online, followed by meeting with the counselor.

We understand unanticipated situations can arise. If you are unable to attend your initial assessment due to an illness or emergency, please notify us as far in advance as possible, at least 24 hours prior to your appointment. By responsibly rescheduling or canceling your appointment, you give the opportunity for that time to be offered to a fellow student who would benefit from an earlier appointment.

Our goal is to meet the high demand for services and allow for access of services by all students. As such, if you have two cancellations or no-shows for an intake appointment, you will be asked to consult with the Director or designee, before scheduling subsequent appointments. Please keep in mind counseling appointments should be viewed as important as any other medical appointments. Ongoing services may be terminated if you have repeated cancellations or no shows.

Schedule an Initial Assessment

 

Walk-In Brief Consultation:

The Oglethorpe Counseling Center is offering walk-in, informal, and confidential consultations this semester. The brief consultations are not formal psychotherapy and will last up to 30 minutes. During the consultation, the counselor will listen and provide you with feedback, support, and recommendations for resources.

A Walk-In Brief Consultation is a good option for students who:

• Have a concern about a friend and want feedback on what to do next (if an emergency call 911)
• Are not interested in ongoing counseling but want support and a counselor’s perspective
• Are unsure about counseling and if it is a good fit for them
• Have a specific problem (i.e., academic concerns) and would like to talk with a counselor

Additional Notes:

• We are not able to provide supportive documentation for Accessibility Services or other departments during the brief consultation.

Limits of Confidentiality: 

There are some situations in which Counseling Center staff are legally obligated to take action to protect others from harm. If we have reason to believe that a child, elderly person, or a disabled adult is being abused, we are required by law to report this. If there is a serious threat of harm to you or another person, we are required by law to take protective actions.

Virtual Care – Telehealth

 

Phone: ‪470-231-5836

Email: [email protected]

We encourage students to contact us to discuss counseling needs as soon as possible, especially freshmen who have been receiving services in high school.

Supporting Student Growth and Life Satisfaction

What is counseling?

The generic term “counseling” often refers to individual therapy, when a client meets with a trained professional to get help with problems. Sometimes, that is what counseling is about.

Counseling is not just about problems. The Counseling Center provides a confidential space for you to discuss whatever is on your mind. It is a place where you can speak to a caring adult with special training and experience in assisting others and be assured the conversations will be private. Your counselor will not speak to other faculty, staff, or students about your participation in counseling. If you are at least 18 years old, your counselor will not speak to your parents without your permission.

Eligibility

All students enrolled at Oglethorpe and currently residing in Georgia may use Counseling Center services.

Consultation

Consultation is available for faculty, staff, and parents who are concerned about a currently enrolled Oglethorpe student.

Cost

All Counseling Center services are free.

Common concerns that students bring to counseling

• Relationship issues
• Personal growth
• Identity exploration
• Body image issues
• Low self-confidence
• Depression and anxiety
• Controlling the use of alcohol and other drugs
• Adjustment to college
• Academic difficulties and career indecision
• Grief
• Assault/rape or other trauma

Celebrating Diversity

Oglethorpe University Counseling Center is dedicated to providing culturally affirming services to the OU community, serving all students in a manner that supports their inherent dignity, worth, and value. We strive to create an atmosphere of openness and safety, where diverse attitudes, beliefs and values can be explored. We work to educate ourselves on issues related to power, privilege, institutionalized oppression and discrimination. We recognize that issues related to diversity influence students’ mental health and personal growth and we strive to help students grow and flourish in an inclusive environment where diversity is embraced and celebrated. As professional mental health therapists, we take active steps to be culturally self-aware and to challenge our own biases. We embrace this learning as an ongoing, ever-evolving process and welcome feedback individually and to the Counseling Center as a whole when we are not living up to these ideals.

Black Lives Matter!

The Counseling Center supports undocumented students!

The Counseling Center supports LBGTQ students!