First Appointment

The first appointment with a counselor each academic year is referred to as an initial clinical assessment. Clinical assessment appointments typically last 45-50 minutes. During this appointment, the counselor will review the paperwork you submit, listen to understand the reason for your visit, and gather information about your personal history and current goals. In consideration of this information, you and the counselor will discuss next steps to best address your concerns, this may include one or more of the following referrals: 1) services available through our office (e.g., group or individual counseling, workshops, etc.), 2) resources available through another campus office, and/or 3) an off-campus resource or provider.

In most instances, a recommendation for off-campus services for clinical needs beyond the Scope of Clinical Care means the student will not be able to access clinical services at the counseling center within the same semester as the assessment and referral recommendation. If you have questions about the recommendations, discuss them with the counselor. If you are not interested in pursuing these recommendations, you may decline.

Follow-up Appointments

Individual counseling appointments typically last 30-45 minutes. The frequency of individual therapy appointments will be determined by your counselor with consideration of your clinical needs and appointment availability. Some students may only need one visit, others may work with a counselor for multiple sessions. Group counseling appointments may last 60-90 minutes. Groups meet at a regular frequency over a specified period. Counseling Services does not implement session limits; we do operate within our defined Scope of Clinical Care and with a brief therapy approach.

Off-Campus Referrals

Counseling Services is committed to ensuring students have access to the services that would best address your emotional health needs. If your needs are outside of our Scope of Clinical Care, we will offer care coordination services to help you navigate the process of connecting with provider options off-campus. If you are specifically seeking an off-campus referral, call the office to request a Care Coordination appointment. While staff can provide some guidance in the referral process, Counseling Services does not endorse or promote any community agency or provider routinely. See Resources page for community provider databases.

Virtual Mental Health Appointments

Counseling Services uses Zoom as a HIPAA compliant video-conferencing tool. There is no cost to the student to access Zoom. You simply need a device with a camera and secure internet access. To utilize our virtual mental health services, we will also need your permission to contact you via phone and email.

To participate in virtual mental health services with an Elon provider, the student must:

  • be physically located in North Carolina
  • have use of a personal device (laptop, tablet, phone etc.) with a camera
  • have access to a secure internet connection
  • be alone in a private location for appointments
Private Meeting Spaces

Students seeking a private meeting space for virtual mental health appointments are encouraged to request a reservation of available rooms in designated areas across campus including, including but not limited to:

  • Belk Library study rooms
  • Numen Lumen Pavilion, Room 214
  • R.N. Ellington Center for Health and Wellness, Counseling Services flex office

Please note that these spaces are available on a first-come, first-serve basis so you should be mindful to secure a space well in advance of the scheduled appointment time.