Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Counseling Center is located in the Shoemaker Building, between the Chapel & LeFrak Hall.
Fall and Spring semesters:
Monday - Thursday: 8:30am-7:00pm
Friday: 8:30am-4:30pm
Winter and Summer:
Monday - Friday: 8:30am-4:30pm
Yes. The Counseling Center follows all state and federal privacy laws and ethical guidelines regarding confidentiality. We will not share information about your visit with anyone outside of the Counseling Center without your written permission. Please note that the law allows for exceptions to the confidentiality policy in cases involving threat to self or others or in cases involving abuse.
All registered UMD students are eligible for services. The type and amount of services that are recommended is different for every student and based on a thorough evaluation of each student’s clinical concerns and needs.
To get started with services, schedule a Brief Assessment appointment by contacting the Counseling Center front-desk in person at the Shoemaker Building or by phone at (301) 314-7651. If it is urgent and you cannot wait for the next appointment, please let the reception staff know so they can help you get seen for a same-day urgent visit.
Counseling Center services are free to registered UMD students.
The Counseling Center has urgent support available 24/7. During business hours, crisis support is available in person at our office in the Shoemaker Building. At all other times, crisis support is available by phone at (301) 314-7651. For life threatening emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Please let the receptionist know if you have preferences regarding the background of your counselor, and we will try our best to accommodate your preferences.
Completing our online forms prior to your initial visit allows your counselor to become familiar with your situation, prepare for your visit, and make the most appropriate recommendations for next steps.
The Counseling Center is committed to helping you access services as quickly as possible. Brief Assessment appointments are typically available within 48 hours. If you cannot wait for the next appointment, please let the reception staff know so they can help you get seen for a same-day urgent visit.
If you do not feel comfortable talking with your counselor, you can let your counselor know that you prefer to meet with someone else, and ask them to help you schedule with a different counselor.
No. Your parents will not be notified of your visit. If you want us to share information with your parents, you will first complete a consent form to permit us to do so.
No, your visit will not be on your school record. We will not share information about your visit with school administrators, faculty, staff, or anyone else without your consent.
We provide a variety of clinical services, including short-term individual counseling, group counseling, workshops and more. Learn more about clinical services.
If you would benefit from longer-term services, we will assist you in locating community providers that will best fit your needs. Talk to your counselor, or, if you don’t have one, get started by scheduling a Brief Assessment appointment.
The Counseling Center does not staff psychiatrists or prescribe medication. For medication, please contact the University Health Center’s Behavioral Health Services unit. If you are not sure whether you would benefit from medication or alternative treatment services, please schedule a Brief Assessment with the Counseling Center, so we can discuss this further and make an appropriate referral.
To protect the privacy of the students we see, the Counseling Center does not provide volunteer opportunities. Instead, we encourage students to get involved in one of our partnerships focused on improving the campus culture of mental health.
No. The Faculty Staff Assistance Program (FSAP), housed within the University Health Center, offers mental health services for UMD faculty and staff. The Counseling Center can provide faculty and staff with outreach and consultation services designed to aid them in their support of students.
Yes, we provide outreach programming to the campus community on topics related to mental health. Please provide at least 3 weeks notice when submitting an outreach request.
There are many ways to take care of your mental health and counseling is only one of them. Learn about mental health concerns commonly experienced by college students and coping and strategies and resources for these concerns. Additionally, the Wellness Series offers a variety of topics related to college student mental health and academic success. The Wellness Series virtual skills sessions are drop-in and do not require an appointment. Follow the Counseling Center on social media for additional mental health prompts and videos.