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Where to Start

A page within Counseling & Testing

Emergency Resources

  • Off-Campus EMERGENCY: 911
  • On Campus EMERGENCY: 608.789.9999 (UWL Police)
  • Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
    (veterans and other service members: press 1)
  • UW Mental Health Support 24/7: Call 608.785.8073 & press 1
    • UWL Mental Health Crisis and Emotional Support for UWL Students

Notice

Counseling services, including Urgent Care, will not be available Thursday, April 24th and Friday the 25th.

The office will be open for the testing center and pre-scheduled proctored tests or for placement test questions. 

For students experiencing a mental health crisis please utilize the 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Support line by calling 608.785.8073 and press 1.

Visit our Urgent Care page for more resources 

Information on Our Counseling Services

The UWL Counseling &Testing Center (CTC) utilizes a brief, solution-focused and strengths-based counseling model founded in our staff’s diverse theoretical orientations and disciplines. Therapy is focused on helping students resolve or effectively manage a specific problem or challenge, or to make a desired change. You can find out more about the services we do and do not provide here.

Please review the below appointment types to learn more about common ways students first access CTC counseling services.

Click on any item below to get more information.
Don't know where to begin? Click on "Where to Start".

Urgent Care: In Immediate Crisis

What it is: immediate-term strategies focusing on assessing a student's safety and their needs over the next few hours and/or days. Often includes recommendations for further treatment at CTC or elsewhere.

Who should access: Students who are experiencing a mental health crisis, such as suicidal ideation or thoughts of harming others, a recent trauma, a situation that endangers their life or safety, distress that has significantly impaired their ability to meet their daily needs.

How to access: Drop-in to the CTC office at 2106 Centennial Hall between 12 p.m to 4 p.m. and ask for an urgent care appointment.

When: Monday - Friday  from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Please note that students in crisis may contact CTC at other times during regular business hours, but may have to wait for a provider to become available, and when CTC is not open, resources are available here.

Single Session Clinic: Not in Crisis

What it is: an intentional single meeting with a counselor, focusing on a single issue or specific goal, and resulting in support, resources, and/or coping strategies for a student to start implementing right away.

Who should access: Students who are not currently engaged in counseling, not currently interested in ongoing counseling services, and identify that they are interested in a one-time counseling session.

How to access: Call (608.785.8073) and ask for a Single Session Clinic appointment, or schedule online through your online Patient Portal.  

When: A limited number of appointments are available weekly, and are scheduled up to two weeks in advance.

Triage: Not In Crisis

What it is: A short appointment to assess a student's needs and make recommendations for their care, and to establish them with one of a few types of counseling/treatment at CTC, if we are the best fit for their needs.  

Who should access: Students who would like to work with a counselor or join a group, and, though they are ready for treatment, can wait for a routine appointment.

How to access: Call 608.785.8073, stop in the CTC office at 2106 Centennial Hall, or schedule online by visiting the Patient Portal.

When: Appointments are available every day, but during high-demand periods of the semester, can require several days' wait.

 

Let's Talk: Not in Crisis

What it is: a brief, confidential, individual consultation with a counselor to explore whether or not they should try counseling, to have a single brief conversation about a specific issue, to ask a question, or to express concern about a friend.  Let's Talk is not a substitute for counseling or urgent care but is a great place to start.

Who should access: Students who are not sure what they might need or are hesitant about counseling or CTC, students who would like to consult a counselor while being anonymous, and students who have a concern about someone else.

When & Where: Mondays 2:30 to 4 p.m. Student Union 3220 & Fridays 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Center for Civil Dialogue & Civic Engagement - Centennial Hall 1120. View the Let's Talk page for full schedule.

How: Drop-in consultations are in-person and first-come, first-serve. 

Where to Start

Are you...

  • Currently experiencing a mental health crisis? Click here.
  • Unsure of the severity of your mental health concerns? Click here.
  • Looking for a one-time counseling visit to get help on a specific issue? Click here. 
  • Wanting to talk with a counselor about your options for mental health treatment? Click on "triage".
  • Not sure if counseling is what you need or concerned about a friend?  Click here.
  • Interested in joining a group? Click here. 
  • Wanting to talk with a provider about medication options? Click here.
  • Pursuing academic accommodations? Click here.
  • Seeking self-help resources? Click here.
  • Looking for a referral to a community mental health professional? Click here.
  • Faculty/staff looking to help a student? Click here. 
  • Requesting an outreach program from our office? Click here.
  • A parent/caregiver looking to help your student? Click here.