Counseling Services utilizes a brief therapy approach to provide goal-focused therapeutic interventions to support the emotional, social, and academic goals of Elon students. Clinical services within this framework are recommended based on clinical assessment to determine the appropriate level of care. Students are encouraged to schedule an initial clinical assessment (first appointment) to discuss their concerns with a provider who will help determine the most appropriate treatment option(s) to address their concerns. Some students may require services and interventions beyond the Scope of Clinical Care for Counseling Services.

To learn more about available services, please click to expand each section below.

Clinical Assessment

The clinical assessment provides an opportunity to meet with a counselor to discuss your presenting concerns and develop a treatment plan based on your specific needs. You will be required to complete standardized forms prior to the appointment. The counselor will likely ask questions about your mental health history, family, background, and current functioning to help develop the most effective treatment plan for you.

Treatment recommendation may include: (1) referral for clinical services available through our office; (2) referral to a campus resource; and/or (3) referral to an off-campus resource for clinical needs beyond our scope of care.

Learn more about our Scope of Clinical Care

Group Counseling

Therapy groups are focused on understanding interactions between group members and regular attendance from the group members throughout the semester is expected. Group counseling is a small group setting in which students with similar concerns meet face-to-face with one or two therapists for typically an hour and a half. During group counseling, members talk about what is of concern to them and may provide feedback to each other. Feedback includes expressing your own feelings to others about what they say or do in the group. Interaction between group members is anticipated and provides each person an opportunity to learn about and try out new ways of interacting and relating.

Learn more about our current groups being offered.

Individual Counseling

Individual counseling provides an opportunity for you to meet one-on-one with a counselor to address a particular concern. Individual counseling sessions usually last 45-50 minutes. Frequency of meetings is determined with consideration of clinical need and the Scope of Clinical Care.

Skill-based Workshops

Workshops feel like interactive learning in a classroom setting. They may occur as a single session or series. The workshop leader will present on a topic and teach the group members information and coping skills. Discussion with the workshop leader, as well as other attendees is often a common part of participating in a workshop.  Students can choose to attend one or all parts of a workshop series that is being offered.

Learn more about our current workshops being offered.

Referral Support (Care Coordination)

Some students may require intensive, long-term treatment, and/or specialized care, including psychiatric services, that are beyond the scope of clinical care for Counseling Services. Counselors will meet with students to assess their needs and help coordinate referrals to resources in the local community as clinically appropriate.

Learn more about our Scope of Clinical Care or search for community providers using our Referral Resources.

Support Groups

Support groups meet either weekly or bi-weekly. Support groups exist for students to discuss their thoughts, feelings, and concerns within a safe space. Students can choose to participate in a support group during every meeting or come to some, but not all, of the meetings throughout the semester.

Learn more about our current support groups being offered.

Psychiatric Services (via TimelyCare & Cone Health)

Elon has established partnerships with TimelyCare and Cone Health Outpatient Behavioral Health Services to offer psychiatric care to Elon students.

TimelyCare offers a limited number of free, virtual psychiatric appointments. Please contact Counseling Services at (336) 278-7280 for more information and the referral code. PLEASE NOTE: TimelyCare providers DO NOT assess for ADHD and DO NOT prescribe stimulant medication or other controlled substances.

Cone Health Alamance Regional Psychiatric Associates Health Services is a local provider option offering in person psychiatric care. To learn additional information about this partnership, click here: Alamance Regional Psychiatric Associates. Click here to see list of those providers.

Please take note of the following information regarding accessing services with Alamance Regional Psychiatric Associates:

  • Call 336-586-3545 and identify yourself as an Elon University student requesting an appointment.
  • You will be required to share prior psychiatric/medication management records with this office.
  • You may be seen for a first appointment without records UNLESS you are seeking care for an ADD/ADHD diagnosis. In this instance, official testing results must be provided before the first appointment.
  • For students with diagnoses other than ADD/ADHD: even if you are seen for a first appointment without documentation, NO FOLLOW UPS will be scheduled until those records are received.
  • You will need to complete new patient paperwork prior to their appointment. You will have the opportunity to complete it in the office the day of their appointment.
  • You may be asked to provide information about medical insurance if you have it.

Other community-based options are also available. Please see the MiResource database for more information.

Students currently under the care of a psychiatric provider should talk with their providers to explore options to have refills made available via mail order or when home over academic breaks (i.e., Thanksgiving or Winter break).