[ Wellness Center ]

Counseling Services

Students sometimes experience difficulties that undermine success in their academic and personal lives. Counseling Services provides a variety of services to help students understand their problems and themselves, so they can achieve more satisfying relationships, improve their academic performance, and make more effective career and life choices.

For more information, please contact us at (630) 617-3565.

Initial Assessment Interview
Individual, Couples, and Group Counseling
Workshops
Self-Help Library
Screenings 
Referrals to Private Therapy
Confidentiality
Referring a Student to Counseling
e-CHUG/e-TOKE

Initial Assessment Interview
A student seeking services from Counseling Services first meets with an initial assessment counselor. The counselor talks with the student about his or her concerns and determines what type of service will best meet the student's needs. When appropriate, the counselor will refer the student to other campus and/or community agencies. Initial assessment interviews are available on an appointment basis. Advance notice of an emergency visit helps Counseling Services arrange for a counselor to be available when the student arrives.

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Individual, Couples, and Group Counseling
Individuals and couples can work with a counselor privately or as part of a group to explore their concerns and work toward a better understanding and resolution of their difficulties. Group options include a number of general- and specific-issue counseling groups.

To sign up for an introductory interview, call the Wellness Center at (630) 617-3565.

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Workshops
Counseling Services offers a Workshop on Request Program. We'll come to your class, residence hall, group, or team to present workshops on a variety of topics.

If you are interested in scheduling a workshop, please contact Counseling Services at (630) 617-3565 at least two weeks prior to the workshop to make arrangements. We ask that you have a minimum of 10 attendees at the workshop.

Some possible workshop topics include:

• Assertiveness
• Stress Management
• Relaxation Exercises
• Eating Disorders
• Body Image
• Depression and Suicide
• Coping with Anxiety
• Cross-Cultural Relationships
• Alcohol
• Adult Children of Alcoholics
• Long Distance Relationships
• Communication Skills
• Domestic Violence
• Sexual Assault
• Dealing with Divorce
• Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender Issues
• Anger Management
• Perfectionism
• Dealing with Emotions
• How to Help a Friend

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Self-Help Resources
Resources are available on a variety of topics related to personal, social, and health issues, as well as academic skills. These resources are also available through Wellness Links.

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Screenings
Counseling Services offers free screenings throughout the year on issues including depression, eating disorders, alcohol and other drugs, and anxiety. Call the Wellness Center at (630) 617-3565 to schedule an appointment.

You can also complete the following screenings online: depression and anxiety. Click here to connect to the online screening center, and enter "Wellness" to log in.

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Referrals
If problems exceed the scope of our counseling focus; resources are not available within the College; or the session limit has been met, we will assist students in obtaining referrals to community resources. The cost of these services is not included in student fees, though student insurance may reimburse what is not covered under parental policies.

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Confidentiality
As counselors, we adhere to state law and the ethics of our profession which guarantee that everything a student talks about during a counseling session is held in the strictest confidence.

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Referring a Student to Counseling
If you have concerns about the emotional well-being of an Elmhurst College student, consider referring that student to Counseling Services. Whether you're a faculty or staff member or a fellow student, here are some things to consider.

When should you refer a student to counseling?

• When a student presents a problem or makes a request that is beyond your competency (when you feel you are in over your head)
• When a student appears to be exhibiting a lot of stress
• When a student exhibits signs of emotional problems
• When you have worked with the student and there appears to be no improvement
• When a student is constantly demanding more of your "listening time" than you are able to provide

Questions to ask yourself

• Am I qualified to meet the needs of the student?
• Do I have the time to devote to the student?
• What is the severity of the problem?
• Will assisting the student result in role conflict?

How do you refer?

• Bring it up. In conversation, bring up the possibility of referral by saying something like, "Have you thought about seeing one of the counselors on campus about this?" Let them know that counseling is a free and confidential service. 
• Make the call. Offer support in making an appointment. Some students may want you to make the initial call for them (call (630) 617-3565) or accompany them to the Wellness Center. Assure the student of confidentiality and say something like: "John Doe is here with me and would like to come over and talk with a counselor."
• Follow up. We recommend that you follow up with the student within a day or two to see whether they kept their appointment with Counseling Services. If necessary, a "Release of Information" may be obtained to allow you and the counselor to discuss other ways in which you might be helpful.

What do you do in case of an emergency?
If you become aware that a student is an imminent threat to him/herself or to others, contact Campus Security at (630) 617-3000 immediately. Call 911 if the student is violent or out of control.

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