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Frequently Asked Questions
Where Is CPS Located?
We are on the third floor of Hudson Health Center, located on North Green. A campus map is available, where Hudson Health Center can be found between coordinates H-3 and I-3. Hudson Health Center is marked as #35 on the map. You may call us at (740) 593-1616 for further directions and parking information.
What Services Are Available?
If you're a registered full-time undergraduate or graduate student, CPS provides the following services at no charge:
- Individual counseling and psychotherapy
- Group counseling and psychotherapy
- Marriage and couples counseling -- at least one member of the couple must be a registered OU student.
- Crisis intervention
- Special testing
- Consultation -- that is, talking with you when you are worried about others.
- Topical workshops
- 24/7 Crisis Intervention Service: 740-593-1616
We can offer you a maximum of 13 sessions per academic year (fall, winter and spring quarter). The session limit does not apply during breaks or during the summer. Please note that there are fees for special and student-requested tests. You can talk to a counselor over the course of the academic year, as well as during breaks and summer. Your counselor also may recommend that you participate in group counseling instead of, or along with, your individual sessions. In addition, CPS maintains contact with various community mental health resources so we can arrange referrals for additional help if necessary.
How Do I Make an Appointment?
You can schedule an appointment in person - CPS is located on the third floor of Hudson Health Center - or you can call us at (740) 593-1616. We are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5p.m. If you have an emergency situation, let the receptionist know so that an appointment can be arranged as soon as possible. If you are trying to reach a counselor during an Emergency or want to talk to someone immediately, please call CPS (740) 593-1616 or OUPD (740) 593-1911 at any time.
What If My Concerns Are Urgent?
Anyone contacting CPS for counseling will be asked about the urgency of the situation. If your situation is an emergency, you need to let the person scheduling appointments know that you need the earliest available appointment. You will usually be given an emergency appointment the same day you request services. During an emergency consultation, the counselor will spend time helping you decide on a plan of action to help you resolve the immediate crisis. Should you require emergency care when CPS is not open, please CPS at 593-1616, or please go to your local emergency room or call the Ohio University Police Department (740)593-1911.
What Will Happen During My First Session?
Most situations are not emergencies. Under these circumstances, an initial intake is scheduled that lasts about 50 minutes. The receptionist will ask you to complete an intake form before your appointment in order to provide the counselor with information about your concerns. During this intake session your counselor can answer any questions about us as well as provide information about our policy on confidentiality. The counselor will ask questions about your reasons for seeking counseling, the circumstances involved in your concerns, and your previous experiences.
What Happens After My First Session?
If you and your intake counselor decide that continued counseling at CPS would be beneficial, you might continue meeting with that individual, or be assigned to a counselor from either our permanent staff or our advanced graduate students. Your intake counselor will explain how to schedule your appointments with your assigned counselor. If you have any strong preference as to whom you would like to see, you need to inform your intake counselor. Your counselor may recommend that you try couples or group counseling. If you need services that are beyond and/or different from what we can provide, we will help you find the most appropriate source of help and facilitate a referral.
Are Services Confidential?
Information shared in counseling is regarded by law as privileged communication, and with rare exceptions it cannot be disclosed to others without your explicit permission. In other words, no one outside CPS, including faculty, parents, and administrators, has access to your records or what you discuss with your counselor. Nothing appears on your records elsewhere in the university, nor is information you disclose to a counselor disclosed to anyone unless you request and authorize it. In addition, what you talk about with your counselor will not be made a part of any of your record elsewhere in the University unless you request or authorize it.
All of our counseling services are confidential with the rare exception of situations where a person poses an immediate and serious risk to the well-being of himself or herselfor to others. Also, Ohio state law requires that therapists report suspected cases of child or elder abuse, or the abuse of a disabled person. There may also be situations in which CPS is required to release records in order to comply with a court order. If you have concerns or questions about confidentiality or any other matter, please bring them up with your counselor. As of April 13, 2003, CPS is compliant with federal HIPAA regulations. All clients will be provided with a copy of our HIPAA-compliant privacy policy. You may view this policy online via this link.
Do You Provide Medication?
Psychiatric consultation for medication is available on referral from professional staff and student health services.
When Is CPS Open?
During the academic year we are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays. Should you require emergency care when we are not open, please call CPS number 593-1616 and a counselor will assist you. During an emergnecy you can also go to your local emergency room or call OUPD, 593-1911. |
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