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Counseling Services

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Getting Started

The Counseling Center at Spelman College offers free and confidential services to all currently registered students.

How to Connect With the Counseling Center

Make an Appointment
For all appointments, please call 404-270-5293. Typically, an initial consultation is the first appointment where you will meet briefly with a licensed therapist either in-person, by phone, or virtually via HIPPA compliant Zoom. This is an opportunity for the therapist to learn about your situation and determine your needs. If necessary, the therapist will make a referral for on- or off-campus services — whatever is most appropriate for you.

After Scheduling Your Initial Consultation
You will receive a confirmation in your Spelman email containing a link to the Medicat Portal where you will complete the required forms for your appointment.All forms will need to be completed at least an hour before your scheduled appointment; otherwise, you will be asked to reschedule. All further communication will be sent through secure messages in Medicat. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please call 4040270-5293 

Connecting With Counseling After-Hours
Life-threatening emergencies may be reported to Public Safety at 404-525-6401 or 911 if you are off campus. For counseling emergencies after-hours, from 4:30 p.m.- 9 a.m., please call 404-270-5293, select option #2 to speak with the counselor on call.

Groups and Workshops
Groups and workshops are open to all currently enrolled Spelman students. Registrants will receive the Zoom information after their registration is approved.

Counseling Services Overview

Department Contact Info

Counseling Center

350 Spelman Lane, S.W. Atlanta, Georgia 30314
Health Services Center, McVicar Building

404-270-5293
counseling@spelman.edu

By appointment only Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 4 :30 p.m.

What to Expect

You will be asked to complete paperwork and will meet briefly with a triage counselor. This is an opportunity for the triage counselor to learn about your situation and determine your needs. The counselor will make a referral for on- or off-campus services, whichever is most appropriate for you. 

Connecting With Counseling During Staff Lunch
(Monday - Friday, from 12 p.m.-1 p.m.)

For counseling emergencies during staff lunch, please call 404-270-5293, and select option # 2 to speak with the counselor on call. To make an appointment, please leave a message and we will return your call after 1 p.m. Generally, students should be aware that sessions could be disrupted, delayed, or communications distorted due to technical failures. Virtual counseling involves alternative forms of communication, which may reduce auditory cues and increase the likelihood of misunderstanding one another. Georgia state laws govern the practice of virtual counseling for licensed mental health clinicians in the Counseling Center. Therefore, students must be present in the state of Georgia to participate in virtual services with the Counseling Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Process
Limits and Risks
Consent
Session Attendance

How Does Counseling Work?

At this time, Counseling Center counselors will make contact with students by telephone. You and your counselor will engage in sessions only from a private location where they will not be overheard or interrupted. Like traditional counseling services, counselors will maintain documentation of sessions.

Students will complete an informed consent prior to engaging in counseling services. This will include having you provide the address where you will be located for all contact sessions, two (2) emergency contacts, which are local to you, and a reliable call-back number should the session be disrupted.

How do you Contact Counseling Services

You may contact the Counseling Center for support at 404-270-5293, Monday - Friday, between the hours of 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Are there any limits or risks related to counseling services?

The Counseling Center maintains discretion to determine if counseling services are an appropriate level/mode of care on a case-by-case basis. Counseling may not be appropriate, or the best choice of service for reasons including, but not limited to: if the student is at heightened risk of harm to oneself or others; lack of access to, or difficulty with communications technology; significant communications service disruptions; or need for more intensive services.

In addition, because of Georgia State laws, on-going counseling services by licensed mental health therapists are not allowed across state lines. Counselors can provide consultation by phone to assist students in connecting with supports at home, outside the state of Georgia.
Do I need to give my consent for counseling services?

All students seeking to utilize conseling services must sign a consent form located on the Medicat Client Portal. Once you log in, you will go to the “Required Forms” page and then click on “Consent for Consultation.”

Minors (students under the age of 18) will need parental/guardian consent to participate in services. The consent form located on the Medicat Client Portal. Once you log in, you will go to the “Required Forms” page and then click to download “Parental Consent for Counseling Services.” You can upload the completed forms on the “Upload” tab located in Medicat Client Portal.
What can I do if I experience a mental health crisis, but cannot attend an in-person session?

Crisis management services for a life threatening mental health crisis are not available through counseling services.

For a life threatening mental health emergency:
  • If you are on campus, call Public Safety at 404-525-6401
  • If you are off campus, call 911
  • If you are in the state of Georgia, you may also call the Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL) at 800-715-4225