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Overview

Counseling therapy can be helpful in many powerful and transformative ways. Whether students are experiencing significant distress, or just need someone to talk to, our counselors are here to offer non-judgmental, professional support. You don’t have to be experiencing major problems or mental health concerns or have a diagnosis to seek therapy. Counseling is a dynamic process offering a safe space for healing, growth, and development of self-identity, which can include gaining effective coping strategies for stress management and improving problem-solving and interpersonal relationship skills.

Students commonly seek services for support with:

• Adjusting to a new environment or change
• Dealing with stress and anxiety
• Feeling sad, overwhelmed, or depressed
• Increasing self-confidence
• Processing trauma and grief experiences
• Addressing body image and/or eating concerns 
• Confronting alcohol or drug use
• Improving academic performance
• Navigating identity development and acceptance
• Understanding and improving relationships
• Receiving consultation, resources, and referral

The Counseling Services team takes an integrated, holistic approach to mental health, focusing on the interconnectedness of emotional and physical health and lifestyle on overall wellbeing. Counselors offer humanistic, strength-based care and utilize effective best practice treatment strategies to support individual students' needs and promote overall wellbeing.

How can I make the best use of counseling?

• When you meet with your counselor, be as specific and descriptive as you can about your needs, hopes, focus for counseling.
• Arrive on time to get the benefit of a full appointment.
• Ask questions that come up during the counseling process. 
• Take time to reflect on the topics discussed with your therapist between sessions. 
• Practice any skills or strategies discussed with your therapist. 
• Be patient. Symptom improvement and recognizing the impact of counseling therapy can take time. 
• Understand that there may be times counselors may ethically need to recommend additional resources, assessment/diagnosis or specialized treatment support for your presenting concerns or behavior. See Scope of Practice for Counseling Services for more information.

There is no charge for appointments with one of our mental health counselors. Please call the Center at 815-836-5455 for an appointment or complete the online meeting request form.

Request for Information

Counseling Services are also at no charge and insurance is not billed. Students can meet in person in the Student Wellness Center or if appropriate, through telehealth, using a confidential, HIPPA compliant Zoom or Microsoft Teams platform.

Students can also reserve a private space if they are concerned about having a private space to meet for their counseling session. Students will provide their own device (phone, laptop). A noise-cancelling sound machine is provided, and signage will indicate that the room is in use to best ensure privacy. Students can state their interest in utilizing the privacy room to their counselor or administrative staff when scheduling appointments.

If this is a more urgent matter, you can call 815.836.5455 during the Center’s hours.

Students or staff experiencing a life-threatening emergency should call 911 or LUPD at 815.836.5911.  For non-emergencies or other urgent matters after hours, please call LUPD at 815.836.5222 

Wellness education presentations and outreach programs are also offered in person or on virtual platforms. In-person training and classroom presentations are available as well. Requests can be made here, and response will be dependent on staff availability.

APPOINTMENTS

To schedule an appointment, call the Student Wellness Center at 815-836-5455.

If students are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or Â鶹ԭ´´ Police at 815-836-5911. 988 suicide and crisis lifeline if having thoughts of suicide. TalkNow through TimelyCare app can also be accessed if not life-threatening but in need of urgent care support.

HOURS FOR COUNSELING SERVICES by appointment or urgent care

August to May	Monday through Friday: 8:30am - 5pm
June and July	Tuesday & Wednesday: 8:30am - 5pm

The Student Wellness Center is closed during Â鶹ԭ´´ holidays and winter break (December 24 through January 1).

CONTACT

Counseling Services can be reached at 815-836-5455 or by fax at 815-836-5344.

LOCATION

The Student Wellness Center is in Mother Teresa Hall Lower Level (LL), across from Brother James Gaffney Student Center, north/street entrance, and stairwell down to LL. For elevator access, enter in east entrance, elevator to B for lower level.

telehealth services with timelycare

For 24/7, 365 days per year access to mental health and medical care via telehealth (phone or video) – go to   or download the TimelyCare app to access care. Use your Â鶹ԭ´´ email to sign on to log in.

TimelyCare Overview

Mental Health Screenings for awareness and recommendations.

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