Crisis Care
For Life Threatening Emergencies:
Call 911
Or go to your nearest Emergency Room
_________________________________
For other crisis needs 24/7:
- Call UCI Counseling Center at (949) 824-6457
♦ Or 1-866-817-9842
♦ Text “Home” to 741741
- Call or text 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8
- Call UCI Campus Police at
(949) 824-5223
Parent and Family FAQ
What services are offered at the Counseling Center?
The Counseling Center offers a variety of mental health services. These services include short-term individual therapy, single-session therapy appointments, daytime and evening Crisis Care, group therapy, couples therapy, and drop-in workshops. Students can visit our UCI Counseling Center website: https://counseling.uci.edu/ to learn more about our services.
How can my student access Counseling Center services?
Your student can access services at the Counseling Center once they are fully enrolled and have paid their university registration fees. They can schedule appointments by calling our office at 949-824-6457.
What are some reasons students come to counseling?
While college is often an exciting time, it can also be stressful to adjust to this new environment. There may be several reasons a student may come to the Counseling Center for therapy. Some of these reasons include anxiety, depression, difficulty with adjusting to college, interpersonal conflicts, relationship concerns, academic distress, concerns about the pandemic, or mental health crises. This is not an exhaustive list, but can provide you with an idea of some common concerns that students seek support for.
Can I make an appointment for my student?
No, students will need to make appointments on their own. They can call our office at 949-824-6457 to schedule an appointment.
I know my student is seeing a therapist at the Counseling Center. Can I make sure they went to their session, and can the therapist tell me what happened during their sessions?
Due to current California law regarding confidentiality and privacy, we cannot confirm or deny if a student is seeking services at the Counseling Center. The only times that confidentiality is able to be breached is due to a client reporting imminent risk to themselves or another party. A student can sign a Release of Information (ROI) indicating that they want their records, appointment information, and/or treatment information to be released to a third party. If you are wanting to be a part of your student’s treatment process we encourage you to speak with your student about signing a Release of Information that would allow the Counseling Center staff to communicate with you. Even with a release of information signed, Counseling Center staff only try to release information that is relevant to the student’s safety and coordination of care; otherwise we try to preserve the student’s right to confidentiality. If you are concerned about your UCI student or family member, you can call us at 949-824-6457 and relay your concerns to a Counseling Center staff member. The Counseling Center staff can provide you with general information and support; however, without a signed consent to disclose information to a third party, specific client information will not be released.
Please keep in mind that if a student is under the age of 18, Counseling Center staff will reach out to guardians for consent for care when appropriate.
Can I have access to my student’s records?
No, you will not be given access to your students records unless a Release of Information (ROI) form has been signed indicating that we have consent to share records.
Will my student’s mental health concerns become part of their academic record?
No, our records at the Counseling Center are confidential and are completely separate from a student’s academic records.
Can I call the Counseling Center to consult with a therapist?
Yes, as a concerned family member you are more than welcome to call the Counseling Center to consult with one of our staff members. We can help you brainstorm ideas for speaking to your student, and also let you know about our services and other resources that may be helpful. Please keep in mind that we will not be able to confirm or deny if your student has accessed care at our Center. You may call us during our open office hours at 949-824-6457; at any time the Counseling Center is closed, this same number connects to our support and crisis line by dialing the phone number and selecting option number “2”.
I am worried about my student. Who can I call if my student is having a crisis?
We know it can be hard when your student is having a mental health crisis. We are here to help the best we can. If your student is in imminent danger, please call 911 or UCI PD at 949-824-5223. If your student is in a non-life threatening crisis the UCI Counseling Center has daytime Crisis Care services available to students Monday through Friday 8am-5pm. Students experiencing a crisis can call our main number (949-824-6457) during our office hours and speak to the Crisis Care clinician for support. A student can call the same number after hours and select option number “2” and be connected to a mental health professional.
What if my child needs longer-term counseling support?
Some concerns students bring to the Counseling Center warrant more time and attention than we can offer. Deciding whether short-term therapy is appropriate for your student’s situation is a clinical decision that’s made on a case-by-case basis by a trained mental health professional. Part of our Initial Assessment includes recommending a therapy process that is in the client’s best interest. Therefore, at times we may recommend that an individual start treatment with an off-campus provider who can offer open-ended therapy and we will provide assistance with the referral process if desired.
What should I do if my child is reluctant to seek counseling?
While counseling is a personal decision, sometimes it can be helpful to encourage a student to talk to a counselor about their concerns. It is important to remember that it’s ultimately the student’s decision to seek help, but the following strategies might help persuade an ambivalent student to consider counseling:
- Inform your child that information shared during counseling is confidential to the extent permitted by state law and will not be disclosed without written permission.
- Remind your child that they can meet with a counselor for one session without committing to ongoing counseling.
- Reduce the stigma associated with counseling. Tell your child that our counseling services are regularly used by many students for a variety of concerns and that utilizing counseling services reflects good use of one’s resources. Just as it is common to visit a doctor when one has a medical problem, there should be no shame in meeting with a counselor to discuss a personal issue or concern.