Counseling Services

Click here for our Brochure on Helping Students in Distress

Counseling Services

What is counseling?
Counseling is a meeting with a mental health specialist to discuss some aspect of your personal or interpersonal life. It involves talking about and working through concerns and problems. Counseling can help you clarify personal issues and emotions, help you set goals, help improve relationships and help you free yourself of disturbing thoughts and feelings.

Why do students seek counseling?
Students come to counseling for help with a wide range of personal and interpersonal concerns. Some seek help with adjustment to college. Others are looking for ways of reducing conflict in or improving personal relationships. Concerns about suicidal thoughts, depression, stress, eating and body image, alcohol or other drug abuse, or problems resulting from sexual abuse are often issues discussed during counseling. Anyone experiencing domestic or relationship violence is strongly encouraged to talk with one of our counselors. Visit our Resources page for more information.

Depression and suicidal thoughts are serious problems. If you feel down, discouraged, tired all the time, "blue", or have trouble with your sleep or appetite, you may be depressed. Call for an appointment to see one our counselors. Talk with the counselor about how you feel and the counselor will help determine what the problem is and help you do something about it. If you feel suicidal or are thinking often about death or dying, talk with someone nearby right away (e.g. a residence hall advisor or professor) and come in to the Center immediately to get some help.

The American College Health Association recommends several on-line mental health screening instruments to assist students in recognizing mental health problems and seeking help.

Who is eligible to receive counseling at the Center?
All full time students who paid the Health Center Fee are eligible to use the counseling services. Counseling is available during Fall and Spring Semesters. Counselors are not available during Summer Session.

What are the costs/fees associated with counseling?
The Health Center Fee you paid at "fee payment" covers four counseling sessions per academic year. If you and your counselor see a need to meet more than that, you will be charged $15 per session beyond the fourth.

Is counseling confidential?
What you talk about with your counselor is confidential within the limits of the Center's Notice of Privacy Practices. The records maintained at the Center are accessible only to Center for Health and Counseling staff except as described by the Notice of Privacy Practices.

How do I get an appointment to see a counselor?
To make an appointment, call the Center at 474-7043 and request a counseling Intake Appointment. Counselors are on-duty 8 am - 5 pm, Monday to Friday. We will try to find the best match between your schedule and counselor duty hours. You will be asked to arrive early for your appointment to read the Notice of Privacy Practices and complete some paper work.

What can I do if it is an emergency?
We have Emergency Intake Appointments available both morning and afternoon, Monday through Friday. During normal office hours (8 am - 5 pm, Monday to Friday) you can call the Center for Health and Counseling, let us know that you are experiencing a serious life emergency, and request to see a counselor.

If you have a life-threatening emergency after normal office hours, you should call 911. If you have an emergency that is not life-threatening, contact your residence hall advisor or the police department. The Interior Alaska Center for Non-violent Living also sponsors a community hot-line 24 hours a day at (907) 452-2293.

Click here for our Center Brochure on Helping Students in Distress.
Click here for the National Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Click here for the Alaska Suicide Prevention Plan of 2004

What if I'm worried about someone else?
There may be times when you have concerns abut the depressed mood or distressed feelings or behavior of someone else - perhaps a roommate, a partner, a friend, a student in one of your classes or a student with whom you come in contact through some other means. Counselors provide consultation for students, faculty and staff who are concerned about a student. Depending on the situation, we may talk with you by phone or meet in person to discuss your concerns and help you try to assess how best to respond. This may include providing you with ideas for referring the student for professional care.


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2nd Floor - Health Safety and Security Building - (across from Wood Center) For appointments call (907) 474-7043 or (TTY) (907) 474-7045 PO Box 755580, Fairbanks, AK 99775-5580 Email: fyheaco@uaf.edu Fax: (907) 474-5777

The University of Alaska Fairbanks is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and educational institution. The University of Alaska Fairbanks is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.For claims of infringement pursuant to Section 512(c) of the Copyright Act contact the UA Claims Agent.