Parent & Student FAQs

Counseling Services offers solution-focused clinical services that are free for all Elon students. Clinical services include individual and group therapy.

Counseling Services is committed to supporting the emotional health of all our students- there is no concern “too big” or “too small” to seek help.

Concerns that may be well addressed within the counseling center’s brief therapy model include, but are not limited to:
• Mild to moderate anxiety (stress, worry, guilt) and depression symptoms (sadness, irritability, anger)
• Adjustment and phase of life (adjustment to college, graduation, life transition)
• Identity development (e.g., personal, racial/cultural, sexual, gender, spirituality)
• Interpersonal concerns (family, friends, romantic partners, roommates)
• Grief or loss
• Academic performance or motivation
• Effects of trauma or interpersonal violence
• Mild to moderate substance use concerns
• Some body image and eating concerns

Elon University has also partnered with TimelyCare to extend mental health services. TimelyCare offers on-demand, 24/7 mental health support through TalkNow and scheduled virtual sessions with extended evening and weekend hours. TimelyCare services are available at NO COST to students. Click here to learn more about TimelyCare.

Counseling Services professional staff is comprised licensed and experienced mental health clinician. Our team includes licensed clinical social workers, licensed clinical mental health counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, and psychologists who all practice as generalist and are equally qualified to provider mental health care to students according to our center Scope of Clinical Care. See our Meet the Staff page to learn more about our providers.

Elon Counseling Services does not have a psychiatric provider on staff. Our office will we typically refer to  community-based resources unless the student has barriers to access. Community-based providers are included on the Referral Database.

For students currently under the care of a psychiatric provider, we recommend consulting with that provider to explore options to have adequate supply of medication during months away at school and refills made via mail order or when the student returns home over academic breaks (i.e., Thanksgiving or Winter break).

Students who have financial or familial barriers to access, are encouraged to request a consultation appointment  to explore their options.

Services must be initiated by the student. As young adults/emerging adults, students must begin to make their own decisions and only they can decide if counseling is a service they wish to access.

Students can request first appointments via our online appointment scheduling system. Students will have to log into the system using their Elon username and password. Student can also call the office with scheduling questions or come into the office; we are located on South Campus in the Ellington Center for Health & Wellness, 301 S. O’Kelly Ave.

See Schedule an Appointment for more information.

In general, unless your student lets you know that they are utilizing services, you will not know. In accordance with ethical and legal standards, information about a student’s participation in counseling cannot be disclosed to anyone outside of this office without the student’s expressed written permission.

There are circumstances where mental health professionals have a legal responsibility to disclose information without a student’s consent. These exceptions include:

• If the student poses imminent danger to harm themselves or others.
• If there is suspicion or disclosure of abuse or neglect of a child, the elderly, or vulnerable adult.
• If ordered by a judge or court.
• If the student is under 18 years of age, the student’s parents or legal guardian(s) may have access to their mental health records.

If you feel like your student may benefit from counseling, talk to them about your concerns or observations. Let them know about the resources available and how they can access them.

It is a good idea to first reach out to your student directly. If you are not able to reach them and are concerned about their well-being, consider contacting Residence Life staff, if they live on campus. If you are seriously concerned about their welfare, contact Campus Safety 336.278.5555 to request a welfare. If your student lives off campus, you can contact the local police department to request a welfare check.

You may also choose to submit a Care Referral to Student Care and Outreach for administrative support and reach out to your student. To learn more, please visit the Student Care and Outreach website.

Dial 9-1-1 first for emergency response if there is an imminent danger to self or others.

A 24/7 Crisis Counselor on Call is available to address urgent mental health crises. To access this resource, simply call 336-278-2222.The Counselor-on-Call who will complete a brief risk assessment of the situation and recommend steps for additional support or follow-up to ensure safety.

If your concern is not a crisis, contact the office during regular business hours to speak with a counselor and/or schedule an appointment.

Additional options for in person crisis support include:

• Cone Health Alamance Regional Medical Center, 1240 Huffman Mill Rd, Burlington, NC 27215
• RHA Health Services, 2732 Anne Elizabeth Drive, Burlington, NC 27215, 8am-12am for Same-Day Access & Walk-in Crisis Services

Non-crisis mental health concerns that are urgent in nature, on demand mental health support is available 24/7 through TimelyCare virtual services.

Counseling Services provides mental health services for all eligible undergraduate and graduate students at NO cost.

Eligibility for all services begins when students arrive on campus to begin their educational role at Elon even if this occurs prior to the start of class for their first enrolled semester (e.g., student athletes arriving on campus prior to the semester for pre-season training). Incoming students who are visiting campus or seeking to begin therapy before their arrival to campus for the start of the academic term are not eligible.

For most students, eligibility for services ends on the day of graduation or during a period of non-enrollment (e.g., “approved hiatus” during medical leave of absence, medical withdrawal, etc.).

Eligibility for Elon Law students ends on the final testing date of the first NC bar exam following graduation (e.g., typically the end of February following December graduation).

Students may schedule a first appointment online or by calling our office at (336) 278-7280. Appointments are available during normal business hours. To request an appointment online, please visit Schedule an Appointment.

Follow up appointments are typically scheduled by the counselor at the end of each session or by calling the main office. The length and frequency of follow up appointments will be determined in consultation with your counselor.

Your first appointment is referred to as a clinical assessment. This appointment takes about 45-50 minutes. During this appointment, the counselor will review first appointment forms, listen to understand the reason for your visit, and gather information about personal history and current goals. The counselor will then make recommendations for treatment and/or resources to best address your concerns. This may include services available through our office, resources available through other offices on campus, and/or referral to off-campus providers. If you have questions or concerns about the recommendations, discuss them with the counselor. If you are not interested in pursuing these recommendations, you may decline. In most instances, a recommendation for off-campus services for those whose needs do not fit within the Scope of Clinical Care may be ineligible for clinical services in the counseling center within the same academic semester.

Please refer to our Scope of Clinical Care to better understand our range of services.

We do not have session limits. Consistent with national data for university counseling centers, students typically average about 4-5 individual therapy sessions over the course of an academic year. Some students may only need one visit, others may be seen over a longer period of time based on need. The length and frequency of follow up individual therapy appointments are based on clinical need and appointment availability. Students participating in group therapy will generally meet weekly for the duration of a semester.

If a student is seeking or requiring services beyond our Scope of Clinical Care, a Care Coordination appointment may be scheduled with the Referral Coordinator for assistance with identifying an appropriate off-campus provider or resource. An online Referral Database is also available.

Counseling Services is committed to supporting the emotional health of all our students- there is no concern “too big” or “too small” to seek help.

Concerns that may be well addressed within the counseling center’s brief therapy model include, but are not limited to:
• Mild to moderate anxiety (stress, worry, guilt) and depression symptoms (sadness, irritability, anger)
• Adjustment and phase of life (adjustment to college, graduation, life transition)
• Identity development (e.g., personal, racial/cultural, sexual, gender, spirituality)
• Interpersonal concerns (family, friends, romantic partners, roommates)
• Grief or loss
• Academic performance or motivation
• Effects of trauma or interpersonal violence
• Mild to moderate substance use concerns
• Some body image and eating concerns

Some students question whether their concerns warrant a visit to the counseling center. If there is any area of your life that you find is disrupting your healthy functioning (eating, sleeping, studying, concentration, relationships, mood, or general sense of well-being), then it is important, and we encourage you to come in to discuss it with us.

Yes, all communication you share within Counseling Services is confidential and protected by the law if you are 18 or older. Information about your attendance at Counseling Services and any information you reveal in sessions cannot be discussed with others (including all Elon faculty, staff, students, or parents) unless you have given written consent.

By law, there are exceptions to this rule. Exceptions include the following:

• If you present a clear and present danger to yourself or someone else
• If there is abuse of a child or vulnerable adult
• If ordered by a judge or court under appropriate state and federal laws

Counselors sometimes function in other roles on campus, including the classroom. To protect your confidentiality, we will not acknowledge any clinical relationship with you should we see you or interact with you outside of Counseling Services.

All providers are trained and licensed mental health professionals.  Our providers use a variety of counseling styles and techniques. See our Meet the Staff page to learn more about our providers.

We believe a “good fit” with your counselor is vitally important to the therapeutic process and to your healing and growth. If you feel your counselor is not a good fit after the first session, we would encourage you to consider meeting with them again for a second session. If you are able, voice your concerns to your counselor. We love to have honest and direct conversations and more than anything, want your counseling experience to be helpful. If you would like to try a different counselor, you are welcome to do so. You can either let your counselor know and they will help facilitate a transfer to another provider, or contact the main office to indicate that you would like to transfer to another counselor.

Elon Counseling Services does not have a psychiatric provider on staff. Our office will we typically refer to  community-based resources unless the student has barriers to access. Community-based providers are included on the Referral Database.

For students currently under the care of a psychiatric provider, we recommend consulting with that provider to explore options to have adequate supply of medication during months away at school and refills made via mail order or when the student returns home over academic breaks (i.e., Thanksgiving or Winter break).

Students who have financial or familial barriers to access, are encouraged to request a consultation appointment to  explore their options.

Students have several resources to access if they are worried about a friend.

1. Counseling Services providers are available for consultations by appointment during regular business hours by calling (336) 278-7280.
2. Student Care and Outreach allows for anyone who has a concern for a student’s health, well-being, or behavior to share these concerns through an online care referral. The information shared may be used to help link a student with resources and/or respond if a student’s behavior is creating a situation that is potentially unsafe for themselves or others. These reporting forms are for non-emergency reporting only. If any person may be in danger, call 9-1-1 immediately. Care referrals are typically reviewed within 1-2 business days of submission and should not be utilized if there is a crisis or mental health emergency. Submit a care referral online.
3. Campus Safety & Police are available to conduct a welfare check if there is an urgent concern about someone’s safety or well-being.
4. Training is also available to help know how to support a student who may be struggling with mental health concerns. Kognito At-Risk is a free, online simulation program that lets you practice conversations with a virtual student, so you’ll know what to say in real life.

Counseling Services staff members’ professional licenses are maintained in the state jurisdiction of North Carolina, and as such, Counseling Services staff members are only qualified to practice in North Carolina. The Global Education Program and the current students studying abroad are encouraged to be aware of mental health and emergency services prior to their departure.