FAQs

Get answers to your questions about the counseling resources offered by Oxford.

The simple definition: "Counseling is a way to get confidential help for problems or concerns from a trained professional." A more detailed definition: "Counseling is a cooperative process in which a trained professional helps the student identify the sources of difficulties or concerns that he or she is experiencing. Together they develop ways to deal with and overcome these problems so the person has new skills and increased understanding of themselves and others. The effectiveness of counseling is measured by your increased ability to function successfully at Oxford College and in other important areas of your life.

Examples of the kinds of concerns for which students seek counseling include:

  • Conflicts with friends or family members
  • Homesickness or difficulties adjusting to new environment, culture, lifestyle, etc.
  • Struggling with toxic or unhelpful focus on grades that undermines my learning
  • Ongoing feelings of anxiety, depression, moodiness or irritability
  • Concerns about alcohol or drug use
  • Difficulty sleeping or feeling low in energy
  • Procrastination
  • Preoccupation with body image, food and/or weight
  • Concerns with self-esteem
  • Lack of clarity on an educational or career direction
  • Problems managing anger
  • Difficulties in romantic relationships
  • Unwanted habits and/or self-defeating behaviors
  • Navigating my identities and how they are seen or understood by others
  • Questions about whether to remain enrolled at Oxford
  • Difficulty managing my emotions
  • Issues related to having been sexually abused, harassed or assaulted, either recently or in the past
  • Questions about sexual orientation or gender identity

If a student's problem or concern is something the counselor is unable to help with or if the student's concerns require services beyond what the Center for Counseling and Wellbeing can reasonably provide, the counselor will refer the student to an appropriate off-campus resource. Another reason for a referral to a provider off-campus is a personal preference on the part of the student and again the counselor will assist the student to access a qualified off-campus resource.

Absolutely not!  Besides, both providers and clients define mental illness in different ways.  We're here if you need help with challenging stressors and/or developmental challenges that everyone faces within the course of a lifetime.

The short answer is no.  However, we also do not offer unlimited sessions.  For students who need more specialized care or who need more intensive care (more than what we have available), we will offer a referral to someone in the private practice sector who can offer what you need.  For more on this, check out the Session Limits page. 

This depends on the time of year and how flexible your schedule is.  While there are times that it may take a little longer, most students are seen within a week of calling for their intake appointment, with many being seen within 1-3 business days.  For students who need to be seen more urgently, where safety is a concern or they just received overwhelmingly difficult news, they can be seen for a triage appointment.  While more brief than a routine intake, they can at least meet with a counselor to determine next steps.  Simply tell the receptionist you need to be seen sooner and you will be asked to complete a Triage form and be seen by the next available counselor. (Depending on when you arrive, this may involve a wait in the lobby for several minutes).

Counseling sessions are 45 minutes in duration. 

No. Counseling records are not part of the student official record.  For  more about confidentiality, check out this page. 

On or before your first appointment you will be asked to fill out a simple intake form. It will have contact information, questions about your current concerns. You will review the confidentiality policy. And you will also be asked to complete a computerized intake that will collect demographic information and information regarding your level of distress, medical and psychosocial history. In your first session you and your counselor will discuss what brings you to counseling, as well as the information on your intake form and the computerized report generated from your responses to the computerized inventory.  Click here for more on our intake process and on how to make your first appointment.

It is often best to schedule a meeting with a counselor to discuss your concerns and needs, even if all you want is a referral to an outside provider. This way, the counselor can offer you a "best-fit" referral. However, if what you need is exclusively a referral to an outside psychiatrist and psychologist for psychological testing and/or medication to diagnosis and/or treat Adult Attention Deficit Disorder, our support staff can offer you a list of community providers that will meet your needs.

To discuss your concerns, please contact our support staff and request a consultation appointment. You will be given an appointment to meet with a counselor and you will have the opportunity, then, to express your concerns regarding a peer, roommate, etc.

Yes, certainly. Students can request to be seen by a specific counselor, though the desired counselor may not be accepting new clients at the time of the request. You may then need to wait to get an appointment with the counselor of your choosing.

Yes. When contacting our office, please request a "consultation appointment" to discuss the concerns you have regarding a peer/resident.

While we can arrange to have sessions via Zoom (a platform we use for online video counseling), we do not offering counseling via email, instant messaging, and Facebook as those would pose a potential breach of confidentiality, as these vehicles of communication are certainly not secure. CCW staff do not offer counseling via any of these computer-based avenues of communication to protect your privacy!

The Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) can answer questions in regard to disabilities and needs for special accommodations. To speak with a representative from OAS, please email oas_oxford@emory.edu or call 770-784-4690.

Contact Our Team

Our office is located in the same suite as Student Health Services. We're in the breezeway that extends from Moore Street to the wooded area behind Murdy and Elizer.

Meet the CCW Team
Location:
104 Moore Street, Oxford GA 30054
Phone:
770-784-8394
Hours:
Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (when classes are in session) Closed noon to 1:00 p.m. for lunch.
Emergency Contact:
770-784-8377 ask to speak with the RLC on call

Need Help?

In case of emergency

If you're experiencing a mental health crisis in which your safety is in question and our office is closed call Emory Police at Oxford, 770-784-8377, and ask to speak with the RLC on call.

Sexual Assault Response

If you or somebody you know has been sexually assaulted, click here for more information on available resources. 

Contact Us