If you have never talked with a mental health professional, you may have some questions about the process. Please review the frequently asked questions (FAQs) below to familiarize yourself with our services.
The Counseling Center is a campus department from which currently enrolled NCCU students can receive counseling services and support. The Center is located in the Student Health Building and is a part of the Division of Student Affairs.
The Center is staffed by licensed mental health professionals. They provide individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, workshops and presentations, prevention and education programs and faculty and staff consultations. Counselors provide services that are non-judgmental and confidential, driven by the student's overall goals. There are no additional fees for NC Central students to use counseling services or programs.
Your therapist will work with you to identify your personal goals for counseling and then tailor counseling to you and your goals. You can expect that your therapist will listen closely to understand your experience and then find ways to assist you in moving towards your goals.
Therapy is a personalized experience, so how it helps differs from person to person. Therapy will often involve things such as getting a different perspective on your experiences, exploring and discovering things about yourself, making changes in unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaving, processing difficult experiences and learning healthy coping tools.
Students come to the Counseling Center with a wide range of presenting concerns. Students may want to talk about normal developmental issues such as identity, academic stress or relationship concerns. Other students might be dealing with more specific concerns such as depression, anxiety, sleep disruption, body and eating concerns, trauma and post-traumatic stress symptoms, substance abuse, grief or suicidal thoughts. Other times students are not sure what brings them into counseling other than they have not been feeling like themselves or might notice they are having difficulty keeping up academically or having trouble sleeping. A therapist can help identify the concern and provide ways of coping and increase self-awareness.
A counselor is available, during the times we are open (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.), to meet with students who are in crisis (i.e., experiencing suicidality, having difficulties functioning, etc.). Outside of normal business hours, students who are in crisis can speak to a counselor with our crisis response service by calling our main number, 919-530-7646, after business hours. The crisis counselor will respond and connect the student in crisis with emergency mental health services as needed. Students in crisis may also call Campus Police at 919-530-6106.
The initial session is called an intake appointment. You will be sent initial forms to complete electronically before your scheduled appointment. You can expect to meet with a therapist, and they will spend time gathering some additional information regarding the main concerns for coming in. You will then discuss the next steps, including:
We may recommend an off-campus treatment provider if that seems most appropriate.
The Counseling Center does not have an explicit session limit for individual therapy. Although counseling is typically expected to be short-term and solution-focused, session frequency and length vary depending on the Center’s demand and the needs of the individual. Many students report feeling better after a handful of sessions, while other students might need to be seen longer. You and your therapist will discuss the course and length of treatment throughout your care.
The counseling process is confidential, which means that we cannot release any information about you except under certain legally prescribed conditions. If you have concerns or questions about confidentiality, please discuss them with your intake counselor.
If a student wishes to switch therapists, we believe it is best to speak directly with your current therapist first and let them know you would like to change therapists. We do not get angry or offended when students want to change therapists, though we do find it is helpful to talk about the reasons you want to change counselors. Explaining your reasons to your therapist will help us to figure out how to best suit your needs. The therapist will then determine the best course of action needed to transition the student to a different therapist.
Providing letters of documentation is a service that must occur within the context of an ongoing therapeutic relationship. The Counseling Center at NCCU does not provide letters based solely on an intake or initial visit. There are occasions in which a letter of support that details the student's mental health concerns can be provided. This decision depends on the nature of the requested letter, the time frame of therapy and concerns relevant to the letter, and your therapist’s professional opinion. There are some types of letters that are outside the scope of our services, including disability or accommodation assessments and letters related to service or support animals.
Yes, it offers the following:
Center Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Phone: 919-530-7646
Email: [email protected] (This email is for non-emergency contact only and is monitored during business hours.)
Location: 2nd Floor, Student Health Building
For emergency and crisis response assistance after hours, please contact 919-530-7646 to speak to a counselor with our crisis response service "ProtoCall." You may also call the Campus Police at 919-530-6106.