Making the Initial Appointment


During Fall 2020, we will offer appointments via Zoom PHI to protect the health and privacy of students and staff. Please call with questions rather than physically coming to the Counseling Center.

The Counseling Center provides a same-day appointment system. We ask that students call on the same day they would like to meet with a counselor. We use “same-day scheduling” for first-time appointments because we believe this allows us to reach students at the point of their greatest need. This approach allows us to offer support to as many students as possible each day. We are dedicated to providing accessibility and support services to our students.

How do I make an appointment?


To schedule an initial appointment please dial 217-333-3704 any time after 7:50 a.m, Monday through Friday.* To ensure that you will have opportunity to schedule at a time that is convenient with your schedule, we encourage you to call early, since times available for initial appointments are provided to students in the order that their calls are received.

*Special note: Please stay on the line until your call is picked up. You will hear ringing until your call is answered; if you hang up, your call will be moved to the order in which it was received.

What should I expect?


This video explains what you can expect. Your first appointment 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, while 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.

What if I need to come to the Counseling Center immediately?


The Counseling Center also 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. Please note that during Fall 2020, we encourage you to call us at 217-333-3704 rather than physically coming to the Counseling Center. We can offer the support you need via phone.

What if I need to talk to someone after 5:00 pm?


The Counseling Center collaborates with the Champaign County Crisis Line to provide support and referrals for individuals needing mental health support after 5 p.m. and on weekends. Please contact the Crisis Line at 217-359-4141 to speak with a counselor.