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 18) is our client 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 want to speak 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.
Top questions the Counseling & Mental Health Center receives from families.
You can encourage your student to call us at 817-257-7863 or come by during our drop-in clinic hours. For 1st appointments (non-crisis), students can come Monday-Friday from 9-11:30 am and 1-3:30 pm. Students are assigned to a counselor after they attend an initial session. In an emergency, a crisis counselor is available Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4:00 pm. If there is an emergency after hours, please call Campus Police at 817-257-7777 or dial 911. We do not have the authority to mandate that any student seek our services, and we cannot solicit individuals to seek counseling.
There are no fees for students to visit with a counselor or psychiatrist; the cost of tuition covers services.
Students over the age of 18 must sign a release of information before mental health professionals can discuss confidential information such as attendance and treatment progress. If you want information about a student’s therapy, we suggest you speak with that student directly or ask him/her to sign a release of information. Proper authorities will be contacted if a student appears in danger of harm to self or others.
You can call the Dean of Students office at 817-257-7926. A Dean of Students office staff member will be able to assist your student in getting the support they need through the Counseling & Mental Health Center or other support services on campus.
- low motivation
- weight loss
- weight gain
- insomnia
- fatigue
- low energy
- low self-esteem
- feeling hopeless
- poor concentration
- guilt
- indecisiveness
- mood swings
- thoughts and/or attempts of self-harm
- abrupt changes in normal behavior
- apprehensions
- obsessions
- worries
- fear of losing control
- fear of dying
- dissociative responses
- shortness of breath
- increased heart rate
- chills
- chest pains or discomfort
- smothering sensations
- trembling or shaking
- nausea or abdominal distresses
- numbness
- agoraphobia
- eating behaviors that are different from friends and family
- panic about gaining weight
- body image concerns
- menstrual periods that do not occur regularly
- obsessive thoughts about food
- weight gain or loss
- uncontrollable binges of eating large amounts of food
- a habit of vomiting after eating
- using laxatives / diuretics / diet pills to control weight
- playing games with food and food rituals
- focus on controlling food or weight
- obsessive food and activity tracking
- feeling guilty about eating food
- fasting to control weight
- competition about body size
- obsessive focus on healthy eating
- lying about eating
You can contact our office at 817-257-7863, and we can provide names of providers in the community whose offices are near TCU.
Grief is a normal reaction to loss. Grieving individuals usually undergo a process that may have some standard stages or characteristics; however, people vary in their expression of grief and its duration. While grieving, they may feel disbelief, anger, hopelessness, sadness, and/or guilt at various times. 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 available. Call or stop by to talk or share a meal or activity. Your presence and companionship are essential.
- 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-care. Encourage your friend to care for himself or herself physically, emotionally, and socially. Encourage your friend to seek support and/or professional help if appropriate.
- Accept your limitations. Accept that you cannot eliminate your friend’s pain. Grief is a natural, expected response to loss, and each person must work through it in his/her own way and at his/her own pace. Be supportive, but care for yourself, too.
When might counseling be needed?
Counseling can help facilitate the grieving process by providing support and education and helping the student work through feelings associated with loss. It 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.
Below are some possible warning signs indicating 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 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 am-5 pm
- The Jed Foundation works nationally to reduce the rate of suicide and the prevalence of emotional distress among college and university students.
- TCU Parent & Family Programs provides general information specifically for parents and families of TCU students.