The Student Counseling Center supports the intellectual, emotional, social and cultural development of students by offering a wide range of services, including individual counseling, group counseling, consultation and educational services.
We value an atmosphere that is welcoming and comfortable for all students, regardless of race, gender, ethnic background, age, sexual orientation, religion, citizenship or disability.
Contact
Student Counseling Center
Center for Life Directions
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fax: 210-431-6706Phone: 210-436-3135 (for appointments and support during business hours)
Crisis line: 210-825-3622 (available after 5 p.m. and before 8 a.m. Monday-Friday and 24 hours Saturday-Sunday)
Last updated February 2022
In an effort to continue to support the health and well-being of our community, initial counseling and psychiatric services will be offered via telehealth sessions using the HIPAA-compliant version of Zoom. During that initial appointment, students will be asked how they want to continue to meet with their provider, whether it be telehealth or in person. We ask that students continue to speak with their provider about how they want to engage in future appointments.
Note that Zoom telehealth sessions require you to have a good Internet connection and camera on your device (e.g., smart phone, laptop, and/or computer), as well as a private place to talk.
If you prefer telephone sessions, please notify the Student Counseling Center (SCC) when you schedule your appointment by calling 210-436-3135. You will need a private space and good cell service for phone counseling. Earphones or earbuds may be helpful for optimizing sound quality and clarity of communication.
The Wellness Lab will remain closed until further notice.
Scheduled appointments will remain in place unless you inform us otherwise. Please note that your appointment time reflects Central Standard Time (CST). Please ensure that your scheduled appointment time still works with your current schedule. If you have a scheduling conflict, please contact the SCC at 210-436-3135 to reschedule for another appointment time. If you need to cancel one or more upcoming appointments, please call 210-436-3135 as soon as you are aware of the need to cancel the appointment(s). Failure to reschedule or cancel a scheduled appointment may result in loss of your appointment time and/or referral to community providers.
If you already have a scheduled appointment with a Counselor
Please contact the SCC at 210-436-3135 to schedule an appointment with a counselor. If appropriate and desired, the counselor will refer you for psychiatric services. Please note that some conditions are not amenable to short-term treatment or via telehealth and the counselor may assist you with a referral to appropriate service providers based on your individual circumstances.
If you desire counseling and/or psychiatric services and do not yet have a scheduled appointment
The Counselor on Duty (COD) is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day for psychological emergencies. During business hours, please call our main number (210) 436-3135 for emergency support. After hours, the COD can be reached by calling 210-825-3622. If you are not in crisis, please call us at our main number Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm to get started with counseling.
If you need crisis counseling
Traditional Student Counseling Center Services
24-hour Crisis Response
The counselor on duty may be accessed by calling the Student Counseling Center emergency line at 210-825-3622 after 5 p.m. or before 8 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 24 hours on Saturday and Sunday. Emergency services are available during regular office hours by calling 210-436-3135 or by walk-in to the office.
Couples Counseling
Students can be seen with a relationship partner for relationship problems if at least one of the couple is a St. Mary’s University student. Couples may receive marital, pre-marital or significant relationship counseling through improving communication, increasing problem-solving skills and working on reducing obstacles to relating to each other in a healthy, growth-enhancing manner.
To provide the best use of Student Counseling Center resources and to promote availability for clients, persons that are undergoing couples counseling cannot undergo concurrent individual counseling.
Individual Counseling
Personal problems of all kinds can potentially interfere with a student’s ability to study, learn and achieve academic goals. Achieving independence, setting goals and relating them to a choice of major, learning to live in close proximity with others, moving into or out of important relationships: all are important developmental steps which can be, at times, stressful. Additionally, students sometimes bring to college significant family problems or even more serious problems, such as depression or severe anxiety, that may interfere with their goals. The Student Counseling Center staff is available to help students with these or other problems. Counseling is confidential within the limits established by law.
Group Counseling
Getting connected to others and loneliness are often times concerns for students. For this and other reasons, there are instances when a student’s concerns are most suitable for group counseling. Students often feel understood and empowered when working on their struggles with others that can relate. The Student Counseling Center is looking to explore group counseling offerings based on student interest and availability.
Outreach Presentations
Staff members from the Student Counseling Center are available for outreach presentations to the St. Mary’s University community. Presentations can be made on a wide variety of issues, and in the past have included stress management, procrastination, test anxiety, relationship issues, and improving communication.
Psychiatry Services
The Student Counseling Center staff includes a board-certified psychiatrist and psychiatric nurse practitioner who are available for appointments several days a week. Students are reminded of psychiatry appointments one to two days prior to their appointment. Initial appointments for psychiatric evaluations are scheduled for one hour, and follow-up appointments are scheduled for 30 minutes.