FAQ

The main number for the Counseling Center is 817-257-7863.

There is a 24/7 Phone Counseling Helpline specifically for TCU students, 817-257-SAFE (7233).

If there is an after-hours emergency please contact TCU Police at 817-257-7777.

Monday – Wednesday 8:00am – 8:00pm

Thursday – Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm

Appointments are not scheduled each day from 12:00pm – 1:00pm

All non-crisis appointments will be scheduled appointments. You can call our main office at 817-257-7863 or visit https://counseling.tcu.edu/ to schedule an appointment.

A crisis counselor is available for students experiencing a mental health crisis from 9:00am-4:00pm, Students can call our main office to speak with a crisis counselor.

 

 

Parents and guardians of TCU students can contact the Center during regular business hours to discuss any relevant concerns about a student. We can provide advice on how to approach a student in need, discuss any appropriate plans of action, and give information about possible referrals.

Due to state and federal law, we may not disclose whether a student (over the age 18) is a client of ours without a signed release of information. If you want information about a student’s progress in therapy, we suggest you speak with that student directly, or ask them to sign a release of information. In addition, we do not have the authority to mandate that students seek our services or solicit individuals to seek counseling.

If you are interested in speaking with a counselor, please call our office at 817-257-7863. If there is an emergency after hours, please call the Campus police at 817-257-7777 or dial 911.

Please review the top questions the Counseling & Mental Health Center receives from families for more information.

 

 

Services are covered by the cost of tuition. Every client who receives services from our Center, including requests for couples and/or family therapy, must be a fully enrolled TCU student and eligible for other tuition benefits. The only exception being our satellite site at the Medical School, where enrolled students of the Medical School can receive couples counseling on a limited basis.

The Counseling Center has also partnered with a local treatment center to host an Intensive Outpatient Program on campus. Tuition does not cover the cost of this program and most students use their insurance to cover this cost.

Some TCU students are full-time employees of the University and receive health care benefits. These students are directed to the Employee Assistant Program to utilize their employee benefits.

Counseling records are confidential, and we adhere to State and Federal Law, as well as professional ethics, in maintaining the confidentiality of records. Counseling records are also separate and not part of the student’s educational records.

We have a 24/7 counseling line that offers telephone counseling to all TCU students anytime, day or night, and even during semester breaks. Students can call 817-257-7233 to reach one of our phone counselors.

Campus Police can be reached at 817-257-7777 if there is a concern about imminent safety.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK(8255)

National Crisis Text Line: Text 741741

Our psychiatric providers do not provide services for students who are only seeking ADHD medication. However, the TCU pharmacy is certified to fill prescriptions for ADHD medication prescribed by out-of-state providers. Please contact the pharmacy in the Health Center for more information.

Grief is a normal reaction to loss. Grieving individuals usually undergo a process that may have some common stages or characteristics; however, people vary in their expression of grief and its duration. They may feel disbelief, anger, hopelessness, sadness, and/or guilt at various times while grieving. Sometimes individuals who are grieving will experience symptoms similar to those of depression such as sadness, crying spells, poor appetite and difficulty sleeping.

Common Reactions to Grief 

Emotional & Psychological Reactions:

  • Shock, numbness, and detachment
  • Denial
  • Apathy
  • Anger, moodiness, frustration, or irritability
  • Anxiety, fear, or worry
  • Guilt or blame
  • Sadness, helplessness, or hopelessness
  • Easily discouraged
  • Re-experience of the illness or events around the death

Cognitive Reactions

  • Difficulty concentrating or getting work done
  • Confusion, distraction, slower thoughts than usual
  • Difficulty making decisions
  • Dulled senses
  • Forgetfulness
  • Negative self-talk, overly critical
  • Preoccupation with the life of the person who died

Behavioral Reactions

  • Restlessness, agitation, increased activity
  • Emotional outbursts or lashing out at others
  • Withdrawal or social isolation
  • Avoidance
  • Loss of interest in activities
  • Caretaking
  • Nagging
  • Increased use of alcohol or drugs
  • Strong need to talk about the loss

Physical Reactions

  • Headaches or dizziness
  • Nausea or upset stomach
  • Fatigue, exhaustion, or feeling slowed down
  • Changes in appetite
  • Changes in sleep patterns, such as insomnia or nightmares

How to Help A Loved One

  • Talk openly to the bereaved person about his/her loss and feelings. Don’t try to offer false cheer or minimize the loss. Allow the grieved time to talk without being judgmental.
  • Be availableCall, stop by to talk, share a meal or activity. Your presence and companionship are important.
  • Listen/be patient. Listening is an often overlooked gift of yourself. Allow the bereaved person to vent feelings. Don’t judge the person’s thoughts or feelings. Don’t feel you need to offer advice. Listening itself is very powerful.  You don’t need to have the answers.
  • Encourage self-careEncourage your friend to care for himself or herself physically, emotionally, and socially. Encourage your friend to seek out support and/or professional help, if appropriate.
  • Accept your own limitations. Accept that you cannot eliminate the pain your friend is experiencing. Grief is a natural, expected response to loss and each person must work through it in his/heown way and at his/her own pace. Be supportive, but care for yourself too.

When might counseling be needed?

Counseling can help facilitate the process of grieving by providing support and education, and helping work through feelings associated with loss. Counseling may also be helpful to the student in negotiating other life demands. The appearance of any of the following warning signs may indicate that a student is in distress.

Listed below are some possible warning signs that indicate students may benefit from assistance.

  • An expressed need for help
  • Thoughts or statements of death or suicide
  • Prolonged sadness or depressed mood
  • Change in sleep or eating patterns (too much or too little)
  • Alcohol or drug abuse
  • A change in appearance (e.g., poor hygiene)
  • Increased irritability or agitation
  • Consistently inappropriate, illogical, or unrelated questions
  • Withdrawal from social interactions with peers, family, and significant others, frequent class absences, and expressions of loneliness

If any of these signs are observed, especially on a repeated basis within a short period of time (two to three weeks), consider visiting the TCU Counseling Center.

24/7 Counseling Helpline – 817-257-7233                               

TCU Counseling Center – 817-257-7863

Available for Walk-ins, Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

 

Students can schedule an appointment by calling 817-257-7863. During the Fall 2020 semester, there will also be a “request an appointment” feature on our website.

During business hours (8am-5pm), students experiencing a mental health emergency that includes possible danger to self or others can contact our office at 817-257-7863 to speak with a crisis counselor.  Students can also call the 24/7 phone counseling helpline at 817-257-7233.  If there are immediate safety concerns, please call Campus Police at 817-257-7777, or dial 911.

If you are worried about the well-being of a fellow TCU student, please submit a Report of Student Concern with the Dean of Students Office in Campus Life. These reports can be submitted at https://campuslife.tcu.edu/.