Counseling Center

At times, students may require mental health services that reach beyond the scope of practice of the Marshall University Counseling Center. In such situations, we provide appropriate referrals to community resources, while still providing support for students along the way. We are sensitive to the fact that some students require greater needs than others and we do our best, within our ethical duty, to balance this reality with our responsibilities as a university counseling center.

If we believe that a student’s needs for services go beyond our ability to meet these needs, we will offer referral information for treatment providers, agencies, or organizations that might be able to meet this need. If a student or parent has questions about the center’s scope of practice, they are encouraged to contact the Director at 304-696-2269 or e-mail counselingcenter@marshall.edu

After a referral and completion of registration and consent paperwork, students are scheduled an intake appointment. Due to the fact that it may take up to two weeks to receive an intake appointment, students are welcome to attend the counseling center walk-in clinic, Let’s Talk groups, workshops, or attend evening or weekend walk-in with the Counselor in Residence until the intake appointment.

Student symptomatology and functioning is assessed and they are placed in one of the following four levels. The services level helps to provide a scope and plan of care and a severity level for counselors. All students are provided treatment plan goals and objectives that guide treatment.

Level 1- The student presents with symptomatology that are sufficient for a DSM-V diagnosis and is actively suicidal with intent or presents with suicidal ideation – weekly to bi-weekly appointments. Students will also be referred for psychiatric services through the counseling center at Marshall Psychiatry. Students in this level of treatment may be referred for an emergency psychiatric assessment in the community and possible hospitalization if voluntary. If students refuse a voluntary assessment, it may be necessary for a counselor to file for a mental hygiene warrant. A mental hygiene warrant will only be filed in extreme cases and if the student presents a harm to self and/or others on campus.

Level 2- The student presents with symptomatology that is sufficient for a DSM-V diagnosis. Students will be provided bi-weekly sessions and may be referred for psychiatric services.

Level 3– The student presents with symptomatology, but symptoms are not great enough in severity or duration to warrant a DSM-V diagnosis. Students will be provided bi-weekly to monthly services with a Mental Health Specialist in the center. This may be supplemented with supportive counseling services.

Level 4- The student presents with stressors and minimal to no symptomatology. Students in this level will be provided supportive counseling in our daily walk-in clinic.

Services provided by the Marshall University Counseling Center

• Short-term counseling and psychotherapy – students receive 10 Individual and/or Couples Counseling sessions per semester.
• Group therapy and workshops (Does not count towards 10-session limit)
• Psychiatric evaluation and medication management (Does not count towards 10-session limit)
• Walk-in clinic/drop-in consultation (Does not count towards 10-session limit)
• 24/7 emergency/crisis coverage- students must contact MUPD at 304-696-HELP (4357) (Does not count towards 10-session limit)
• Evening drop-in hours with Counselors-in-Residence in Twin Towers West or Gibson Residence Halls
• Outreach and consultation for Marshall students, organizations, student groups, faculty, and staff on mental-health-related topics
• Documentation for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) may be provided at each therapist’s professional discretion and the student fulfills the following criteria:
  • Presents with a DSM-V diagnosis provided by a licensed Psychologist or Psychiatrist
  • Provides vaccination records for the pet (dog, cat, applicable animal)
  • Reviews the risks and benefits of having an Emotional Support Animal with their therapist
  • Attends at least six (6) counseling sessions with their therapist prior to receiving any such documentation.

Services NOT provided at the Marshall University Counseling Center

• Testing/evaluation for disability claims, custody claims, or other legal proceedings
• Psychological testing for learning disabilities, ADHD, or neurological conditions
• Intensive outpatient therapy (e.g., regularly-scheduled individual sessions which occur more than once per week, and/or have a duration longer than 1 hour)
• Family therapy
• Therapy services for students who are not currently enrolled in classes, due to graduation, withdrawal, or dismissal from the University.
• Therapy/evaluation that is court-ordered or mandated by any non-University judicial body
• Detox/rehab treatment for individuals with chemical dependency
• Intensive ongoing case management services; for example, daily phone check-ins or daily medication management.
• A situation in which a client has a severe mental health concern AND, based on available treatment guidelines, clinical knowledge/experience, and professional standards of practice, we believe that this severe mental health concern cannot be treated at the MUCC without risking probable further deterioration of a person’s health and safety.
• The MUCC cannot contact students who are not already our clients with the intention of encouraging them to seek services here, but will contact students who we receive a referral about by concerned third-parties. Third-parties will never be given information concerning contact with referred students.

• Undergraduate, Graduate, and Professional students enrolled part-time or full-time for the current or upcoming semester.
  • This includes online-only students, if they reside within West Virginia during the time services would be provided.
• Students who are physically located in the state of West Virginia during the time services are provided.
  • We cannot provide services to students who would be in a different state during the time in which services would be provided. This is prohibited by state counseling boards.

Emergency/Crisis Counseling

In the event of an emergency, a Marshall University Counseling Center staff member is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week! To access crisis services:

• Call 304-696-3111 and listen for the option for crisis counselor.
• If the crisis situation already involves a medical emergency, please call 911 first!

Counseling Center Hours of Operation

• Monday- 8:00-5:00
• Tuesday- 8:00-6:00
• Wednesday- 8:00-6:00
• Thursday- 8:00-5:00
• Friday- 8:00-5:00

Appointments

You can make an appointment via one of the following options:

• Coming into the Center
• Over the phone, by calling 304-696-3111
• E-mailing counselingcenter@marshall.edu
• Completing these New Client Forms, and then scheduling yourself for a Walk-In Appointment.
• By using your counselor’s online scheduling link on this page (Only for current student-clients).

If you ever need to cancel an appointment, please contact the Counseling Center or your counselor as soon as possible.

The Counseling Center provides a waiting area for clients on the first floor of Prichard Hall. Scheduled appointments are approximately 45 minutes to one hour. Therapy services are free for enrolled or current full time and part-time students.

Walk-In Appointments

During Walk-In Appointment hours, students are seen on a first-here, first-served basis. A counselor or counseling intern will work with you to determine your needs and the most appropriate intervention. That may include scheduling a follow-up appointment with a counselor, and/or a referral to other campus or community resources. Walk-in appointments are 30 minutes or less in duration. Schedule a Walk-In Appointment at the link below, or in person at the center – again, on a first-here, first-served basis.

Students must first complete New Client Forms, and then they can Schedule A Walk-In Appointment Here.

What to expect at your first appointment?

During your intake appointment your counselor will ask you a series of questions about your experiences in order to get to know you better. You are encouraged to ask questions, as well! They may also ask you to complete brief assessment tools in order to get an idea of how strong you’ve had to be recently. We do not diagnose at our center, but we will talk with you about your symptoms, if any are present, and begin making a plan with your help on how to do better. At the end of your first appointment, your counselor will schedule their next appointment with you (or they may ask you to use their unique scheduling link, if you can’t schedule at that time).