Counseling Services is here to help you make the most of your college experience. If you believe personal or professional issues are interfering with your success, then counseling can help.
While many of us have friends or family members with whom we can talk, it is often difficult for these individuals to remain objective and they typically lack the training of a skilled professional. Counselors at our center are trained to listen objectively and nonjudgmentally. Your counselor will help you explore your thoughts, feelings, and options while providing unbiased support.
Students come to counseling for all sorts of reasons. Some are struggling with academics and/or relationship conflict. Others may be overly stressed or anxious, down or depressed, or are struggling with handling things on their own. A student also may be dealing with a life event like being away from home for the first time, the death of a loved one, or a traumatic experience. Counseling can be a helpful outlet with these and many other kinds of struggles.
Short-term counseling services are free to all Ohio Wesleyan students. Long-term or intensive psychotherapy is not covered. When it is indicated or desired, arrangements are made on an individual basis for referral to local therapists off-campus. The costs for such therapy are the responsibility of the student or by their insurance carrier.
Because every situation is different, we do not have a set number of times a student can be seen by one of our therapists. However, Counseling Services treatment philosophy is based on a brief treatment model.
Some issues you bring to Counseling Services warrant more time and attention than we can offer. If longer-term counseling is indicated, you will be referred to a local mental health practitioner in the community. Our staff will work with you to find good quality, financially accessible referral sources in the community. Ohio Wesleyan is fortunate to have a number of excellent mental health counselors working within a short walk of campus. These practitioners are experienced in working with college students and the issues that arise during college years.
In accordance with Ohio law, communication between counselors and clients is privileged. Written permission from the client or their legal guardian is required for information to be released to any person or agency outside Counseling Services. However, there are a few exceptions where the law requires minimally necessary information to be disclosed for specific purposes. These exceptions include if the client is at imminent risk of serious harm to self or others, the mandatory reporting of suspected abuse/neglect/exploitation of disabled persons, children, elderly persons, and animals, and responding to a court order. Other exceptions may exist when the law requires.
Counseling Services is conveniently located in Room 316 on the third floor of the R.W. Corns Building. You may stop into the office during our regular business hours to schedule an appointment or phone us at 740-368-3145.
Counseling Services welcomes parent calls. We understand parents may have concerns about their students and wish to consult with us about these concerns. If a parent wishes to speak to their student's therapist, a signed release of information must be obtained from the student. Counseling Services is committed to maintaining the confidentiality of the information shared by students and Ohio law requires it. Exceptions to confidentiality requirement include reporting of current child abuse and to make appropriate notifications when there is an imminent risk to a person's health or safety. In the absence of a release of information, parents are directed to speak with another therapist in the center. Parents are always free to convey information to us, inquire about Counseling Services at Ohio Wesleyan, and consult with us about any other issues related to their student's well-being. We also ask that students 18yo and older schedule their own appointments in order to maintain confidentiality and autonomy.
Students can arrange an appointment by calling our office during regular business hours (740-368-3145) or stopping by our office to schedule. We are conveniently located in Room 316 of the R.W. Corns Building. Any currently enrolled student can utilize services for short-term counseling.
Some issues students bring to Counseling Services warrant more time and attention than we can offer. In the event that longer-term counseling is indicated, your child will be referred to a mental health practitioner in the community. Our staff will work with students and their families to find good quality, financially accessible referral sources in the community. Ohio Wesleyan is fortunate to have a number of excellent mental health counselors working within a short walk of campus. These practitioners are experienced in working with college students and the issues that arise during college years.
There is no fee for visits to Counseling Services. When it is indicated or desired, arrangements are made on an individual basis with the student for referral to local mental health practitioners. The costs for such therapy are the responsibility of the student or by their insurance carrier.
In the event a student may benefit from a psychiatric medication evaluation, Counseling Services refers to Ohio Wesleyan's Student Health Center. Depending on the level of need, a student also may receive psychiatric support from the broader Delaware or Central Ohio community. Students who already utilize psychiatric medication can consult the Student Health Center about the best way to maintain their care.
Counseling Services is aware that situations requiring immediate attention do exist. However, because of the demand on our services, we are not usually able to meet with most students on a same-day basis. We do have same-day crisis services designed to assist students who are confronting life-threatening circumstances, current or recent traumatic crisis, and/or serious emotional distress. During a same-day crisis consultation a counselor will meet with a student briefly to discuss the situation. If the student is experiencing a crisis, the counselor will work with the student to contain and stabilize the situation. If necessary, your child could be referred to an off-campus location for additional stabilization support. If the situation is not a crisis, the counselor will work with the student to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. After-hours and on weekends, students may contact Residential Life staff for assistance or call Public Safety at 740-368-2222, Delaware's 24-hour HelpLine at 740-369-3316, Uwill's 24/7 line at 833-646-1526, or OhioHealth Grady Memorial Hospital's emergency room at 740-615-1000.
Getting outside of Delaware can be a challenge for students who do not have a car. We suggest the student look into resources including getting a ride from a friend or considering the following options:
Delaware has one local transportation service:
Lyft or Uber might also have coverage of Delaware and the surrounding area.