Whether you are seeking individual or group counseling, want a referral for community therapist, or need a specialized assessment, you will first need to schedule an initial appointment at the Counseling Center. The Counseling Center is dedicated to providing accessibility and support services to our students. Here's an overview about making your first appointment and what you can expect.
What is an initial appointment?
The initial appointment is a one-hour in-person appointment that will provide you with an opportunity to talk confidentially with a counselor about your immediate concerns. Your counselor will talk with you about some of the reasons you scheduled the appointment and will work with you to evaluate what services and campus resources will be most helpful for you. Some students find that this initial appointment is sufficient to resolve the immediate concern. Others require ongoing support. If further services would be beneficial, your counselor will talk with you about why this recommendation is being suggested and work with you to answer any questions you may have. These additional services may include resources offered by the Counseling Center or referral to another campus or community resource.
How do I make an appointment?
Our initial appointments are offered on a same-day basis, by calling the Counseling Center at 217-333-3704. Generally, all initial appointments are in-person. In addition, we offer the ability to schedule in-person appointments through our online portal. Appointments can be scheduled online up to seven days in advance. Please read the instructions below to decide which appointment would better fit your needs.
If you are interested in scheduling an appointment online, please answer the following pre-screening questions:
- Have you been seen at the Counseling Center in the last six months?
- Are you enrolled in a completely online academic program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
- Are you currently located outside of Champaign/Urbana?
- Are you seeking couples counseling services?
If you answered no to all these questions, online scheduling is a good option for you, or you can also call the Counseling Center at 217-333-3704.
If you answered yes to any of these questions, please call the Counseling Center at 217-333-3704 to make an appointment rather than attempting to schedule online.
You can use our online scheduling tool 24/7, or you can call to make an appointment between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. If you're having a mental health emergency, you always have the option of speaking to a triage counselor when you call the Counseling Center or visit us at on the second floor of the Turner Student Services Building during the hours we are open.
If you need to talk to someone after hours, please call the Rosecrance Crisis Line at 217-359-4141.
After I have made an appointment what do I need to do?
Step 1: Complete Paperwork
On the day of your appointment, a Counseling Center staff member will send your appointment confirmation and initial appointment paperwork via the email address you provide. Please fill out all paperwork in its entirety at least one hour in advance of your appointment time.
Step 2: Arrive to Your Appointment
Please arrive to your in-person initial appointment no more than ten minutes in advance (after you have completed and submitted all your paperwork in its entirety). The Counseling Center is located at 610 E. John St. in the Turner Student Services Building. Please note in accordance with national and university guidelines, you’ll need to check in with the Wellness Associate upon entering the building, and face masks are required while you are in the the Counseling Center. The Counseling Center check-in area is located on the second floor.
What if I need to come to the Counseling Center immediately?
The Counseling Center provides emergency consultations to students with urgent mental health concerns between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. These consultations are focused on stabilizing the current crisis/emergency and providing immediate support to the student while assisting them in linking to our services.
What if I need to talk to someone after 5 p.m.?
The Counseling Center collaborates with the Rosecrance Crisis Line to provide support and referrals for individuals needing mental health support after 5 p.m. on weekends and observed University holidays. Please call the Crisis Line at 217-359-4141 to speak with a counselor.