University Counseling Service

3223 Westlawn
(319) 335-7294

Welcome to the UCS

During our lives we all experience change. At times this change is orderly and understandable. At other times it can be rapid and chaotic. Understanding, coping, and planning for changes in our lives is not always easy. Our staff welcomes you to our center with the hope that our services can be of help to you.

Who We Are

The UCS is comprised of licensed psychologists, graduate student interns, and practicum students in psychology and human service programs. Our training and interests span a broad range of counseling approaches. Each staff member has training and experience working with college students.

Our Services

The UCS offers a variety of counseling services. All of the services are available to currently registered students. Nonstudents are eligible for a one-session consultation and possibly referral. Nonstudents are also welcome to use our program groups on a space available basis. Except for selected tests, our services are provided without charge. The purpose of your initial interview with a UCS staff member will be to determine which service(s) best suit your individual needs. Our staff represents many aspects of the diversity of the campus and has a commitment to meeting the special needs of individuals from various backgrounds. We welcome students from all cultures, languages, races, religions, gender, ability, and sexual/affectional orientation. Our approach leads us to offer the following services:

• Individual Counseling and Psychotherapy
• Couple or Relationship Counseling
• Career Counseling
• Evaluation for Learning Disabilities
• Group Counseling and Psychotherapy
• Workshops
• Training
• Consultation
• Outreach
• Psychological Testing
• Referral

Initial Contacts

During your initial consultation, you and the UCS staff member with whom you meet will decide which UCS services would be appropriate for you, or whether referral to an outside resource would be helpful. Students who are intaken to become UCS clients are generally limited to one course of short-term counseling per year. If you receive services at the UCS, counselor assignment will be made on the basis of four variables:

1. Counselor availability—each counselor has a specific number of client openings.
2. Client preference—each client may have a preference for a particular type of counselor (e.g., gender). We try to be responsive to client preferences.
3. Counselor expertise—each counselor has various areas of expertise. We try to match your concern with the counselor most able to help you.
4. Wait list—due to the large number of students who wish to use our services, we sometimes have to use a wait list when all counselor openings are full. You will be contacted by a counselor as soon as an opening is available.

Groups

Group therapy is the most beneficial form of therapy for many issues. Groups can be especially helpful for people who have relationship concerns. They are good places to experiment with new behaviors, improve communication skills, and receive feedback from other members with similar concerns. Leaders and members work together to provide supportive environments where members feel safe to explore their feelings and get honest feedback. Many people are relieved to learn that they are not alone in facing their struggles and challenges.

The UCS offers theme-oriented groups as well as general therapy groups. Themes of groups have included eating problems, sexual abuse, family-of-origin issues, and gender issues. Support groups have included groups for single mothers, persons working on dissertations, and gay, lesbian, and bisexual people. Most groups meet weekly while the University is in session. Groups usually consist of six members and one or two professionals who serve as group facilitators. Group information is confidential; all members are asked to commit to follow group rules regarding confidentiality. Regular attendance is required for membership in many of the groups; some are drop-in groups for which regular attendance is optional. Most groups require prospective members to meet individually with a group leader prior to joining the group. During the meeting, the interested student discusses his or her needs and gathers information about the group. The leader and the student will work together to reach a decision about the match between the student’s needs and the opportunities available in the particular group.

Your Counseling Sessions

Initially, your sessions involve talking about your concerns and getting to know your counselor or group members. Both of these processes help increase your self-understanding. We will help you define realistic goals, explore options, and make responsible decisions.

A trusting relationship with your counselor or group members will be important for you in exploring your concerns openly and honestly. If you are feeling uncomfortable, consider discussing these issues. Often, addressing these apparent conflicts can make your counseling experience much more worthwhile.

The UCS provides primarily short-term counseling. Most clients are seen for around five sessions although this varies on an individual basis.

Your Responsibility

1. Keep or cancel appointments. If you are unable to keep an appointment, please call at least one day in advance to cancel it.
2. Be prompt. If you are going to be late, please call to notify us, so that the time will be kept open for you. If you are more than 15 minutes late without notification, your time may be used otherwise.
3. Be an active participant. This is your counseling process, so take an active part in deciding how you want to use the time; give feedback to your counselor; and be honest with yourself and your counselor. Remember, you need to make the most of sessions available to you.
4. Concerning your first scheduled appointment after your initial interview: If you do not give the UCS prior notice of cancellation it will be assumed that you do not wish to use the UCS at this time. You may reapply for UCS service at any time.

Some Answers to Questions About the Counseling Service

Q: What kinds of services are people who become clients most interested in?

A: For the most part, people who use our services are interested in their personal growth and adjustment to the world around them. Many students face normal developmental concerns and academic pressures while at the University and, at times, they may feel acute anxiety, anger, sadness, or depression. For these problems, as well as for more serious crises, it is helpful to gain the perspective of an unbiased person. The Counseling Service staff are trained to help you think about alternatives or options to your behavior and ways of dealing with the world.

Q: What if I start feeling suicidal or very upset or as if I can’t cope?

A: If you feel this way, please call 335-7294 and ask to speak with a counselor right away. If the UCS is not open, call the Crisis Line at 351-0140 or the Department of Public Safety at 335-5022.

Q: If I decide to use the services of the Counseling Service, what types of time commitments do I need to make?

A: The amount of time you spend in counseling is determined by your own needs. In general, individual counseling is short-term and group counseling has no limit on the number of sessions you may receive in any academic year. Decisions about the use of UCS services are made with the short-term model in mind.

Confidentiality

Your discussions with your counselor, any paperwork you complete, and test results are treated confidentially by the UCS. If you would like us to release any information to another person or agency, you must sign a written request permitting us to do so. Releasing information without your written consent would occur only as a safeguard against imminent danger to yourself or others, including child abuse—these are extremely rare situations. Your records are NOT part of your academic or administrative records. Your records and personal history are available to no one including parents, family, police, employers, faculty, or administrators unless you provide written consent.

UCS staff adhere to the ethical principles and code of conduct for psychologists of the American Psychological Association.

Taping and Supervision

Occasionally counseling sessions are audiotaped, videotaped, or observed for supervisory and/or training purposes. Your participation in any taping or observation is voluntary and always requires your written permission. All recordings are erased after a brief period of time. If you decide not to participate, it will not affect your eligibility for services in any way.

Requests for Information

The UCS may ask you for information about yourself or your counseling experience in order to evaluate our service, conduct research, or assist us in providing you services. Your responses to these requests are voluntary and do not affect your eligibility for services. If you have questions, ask your counselor or the receptionist.

Workshops

The UCS can design workshops for specific groups. Staff members make presentations to classes and student groups on topics such as conflict management, stress management, assertiveness, sexuality, career concerns, study skills, etc. Workshops usually last one hour.

The UCS provides training workshops for student leaders, paraprofessional counselors, advisors, program developers, student staff in residence halls, and other campus groups. In addition, the UCS can provide staff development workshops to faculty and staff groups. Given sufficient time and available staff, we will plan and deliver programs of interest to classes, residence living groups, campus offices, or organizations.

A more extensive list of workshop offerings is available from the UCS. If you have other topics that you would like addressed, please let us know.

Consultation

Faculty, staff, parents, spouses, and friends often are concerned about a student. Professional counselors assist the concerned individuals in helping the student obtain counseling or in referring him or her to appropriate resources.

In addition, UCS staff consult with student groups, and with offices that work primarily with students. Our activities include assessment of group strengths and weaknesses as well as development of programs to promote student development. Anyone interested in discussing this type of consultation should contact the UCS at 335-7294.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate, please contact the University Counseling Service in advance to discuss your needs.