FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

What services does the counseling center offer?

We offer individual, group, and couples counseling in addition to having two psychiatrists on staff. Psychiatry is for individuals who would like medication intervention for mental health concerns.

How long are therapy sessions?

Individual therapy sessions are around 45 minutes. Groups may be 45-90 minutes depending on the type of group. 

Do I stay with the same counselor the whole time?

Your first appointment will be a brief intake appointment to gather only the information needed to match you with the counselor who will best fit your needs. After you are matched with a counselor, you will work with the same counselor on an ongoing basis, with the exception of counselors leaving the agency. (For example, some counselors are masters-level interns or doctoral interns and their rotation in our agency is one year in duration.)

Can my counselor see me via telehealth when I am out of state?

At the onset of the pandemic, federal emergency regulations allowed for counselors in the US to practice across state lines and provide services to clients out of state. These emergency regulations have now been removed, meaning counselors can only practice in the states they are licensed in. Therefore, our counselors are unable to provide services to clients when they are located outside of Oklahoma. 

What do I need to know prior to a telehealth appointment?

For confidentiality purposes, clients are required to conduct sessions from a private location where they can attend uninterrupted by others for the full period of the scheduled session. Clinicians will reschedule sessions if it is clear that the client is in a location where others may overhear or otherwise be privy to the session, thus risking confidentiality  (if you have issues finding a private location, please call the front desk on 405-325-2911 for support). Clients are also required to provide the current location address and contact phone number at the start of every telehealth session. Lastly, clients are required to remain within one location for the duration of the session (i.e., not walking/driving to another location) for safety and confidentiality purposes.

Can I switch counselors?

Every therapist is trained in more than one type of therapy and we encourage you to ask your counselor to try something different. If you would still like to switch therapists, you may make this request either with your counselor or at the front desk. The benefit of making this request with your counselor is that they are knowledgeable about the styles of therapy and about their colleagues, and may be able to recommend a colleague which is best suited to what you are seeking.

Can I bring a friend/partner/family member to first session?

Due to COVID-19, Goddard is asking that non-patients do not enter the building. Please note that the counseling center specifically, is fully virtual at this time.

During normal operation, others may accompany you to the counseling center and sit with you while you complete initial paperwork. We ask that they remain in the waiting room during the appointment itself (with the exception of relationship counseling where all partners are patients).

Is the counseling center open during the summer?

Yes. We stay open throughout the year to serve students. Please see Eligibility Criteria for details. Our counselors are available through Zoom/phone during COVID-19.

Will therapy records be included in my academic records?

No. Your professors and academic advisers will not have access to your counseling or medication information. Please see our page on Confidentiality for details.

What is the UCC approach to counseling for clients who are exploring sexual and/or gender identity?

All counselors at UCC are pro-LGBT. That said, we do not push anyone to use labels, come out, or do anything that is not consistent with what you feel fits your current life circumstance and/or stage of exploration. 

Can I work with a counselor of a similar background as me?

All of our counselors are diversity-aware, advocates of social justice. Our counseling team is also comprised of a diversity of identities. During your intake (first appointment) please voice your needs if you would like to work with a counselor of a specific gender or background. In most cases, we are able to accommodate these requests.

Will you make me pray/meditate etc in sessions?

No. We work with clients of all religious or non-religious backgrounds. We leave it up to you to decide the extent to which you would like to incorporate your religious beliefs into your therapy.

How do I open an encrypted email from my couselor?

Here are instructions on using email encryption. Encrypted emails can be opened using a desktop/laptop. Please note that email should be used for scheduling purposes only, not to discuss personal or time-sensitive information.

Can you offer a note to excuse me from class?

If your specific appointment time coincides with a class time, please stop at the front desk on your way out to get a note for your professor.

Can you write a letter for me to withdraw from an entire course?

The university does not allow withdraw from a single course (beyond standard deadlines) for mental health reasons but will allow you to withdrawal from an entire semester (all classes) for mental health reasons. You must have been involved in ongoing counseling during the semester in which you were trying to withdraw. For example, if you attended counseling only during Spring 2017, we cannot provide you a withdrawal letter for Fall 2018. Similarly, if you begin counseling during Spring 2017, we cannot provide a retroactive withdrawal letter for the previous Fall (2016). This is because we are unable to confirm or deny events which occurred during a time period when we did not have direct contact with you. Please also be aware that these letters can take up to one month to process.

Can you write a letter for hormone replacement therapy or gender-affirmation surgery?

We can provide a letter stating that your gender identity is disparate from your assigned gender and that you are of sound mind and legal age to make your own medical decisions. As with any letters we write, please allow the therapist sufficient time to get to know you and afterwards, please allow one month for the letter to be processed.

Can you write a letter for me to have an emotional support animal (ESA)?

Our guidelines are governed by the American Psychological Association, whose position is that there is insufficient scientific support to support ESA’s as a beneficial coping mechanism for mental disorders. As such, we are unable to write support letters for ESA’s.

Can you write a letter for accommodations for the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)?

It depends. We can write a letter to the ADRC stating that you were diagnosed with a specific mental disorder. Whether this mental disorder is associated with any specific accommodations, is up to the ADRC. For issues such as anxiety or depression, you must be seen for a counselor for at least three sessions (intake not included) to verify this diagnosis. Please note that from the date you submit your request in writing, it can take up to ONE MONTH from the date of your third appointment to process any letter, so please do not start this process shortly before your exams. 

For ADHD and learning disorders, you must complete a formal evaluation/testing/assessment to confirm these diagnoses before a letter (or ADHD medication) may be provided. Please note that in addition to the one-month processing time for the letter, there may be a waitlist for testing services. If you need ADHD accomodations for final exams, we recommend you start this process during the first few weeks of the semester.