Counseling Services FAQ

Question Are counselors committed to serving diverse students?

Our counselors are required to maintain their state of Ohio license by completing at least 30 hours of continuing education bi-annually. In order to better meet our student’s needs, our counselors are committed to continue learning about the needs of our students. While gaining education about diverse topics is ever evolving, here are some of the training our counselors have completed :

Multiple webinars focused on student mental health during the pandemic
Six-week series focusing on providing culturally competent services to our Muslim students and families
What does it mean to be Anti-Racist?
The Color of Trauma: Validating Experiences, Accepting Differences, and Acknowledging Mistakes
Supporting International Student Mental Health during Changing Times
The Ethics of Being an LGBTQ+ Ally
Creating Welcoming and Inclusive environment for LGBTQI students
Addressing Racial Bias in Social Work Practice
Affirmative Therapy for Transgender/Gender Diverse Youth & Adolescents
Military Culture & Working with Military Families
Alcohol and Substance Use Disorders within the Military Population
Addressing Suicide with Military-Connected Families
Ethical Considerations for working with Military Members and Veterans
2020 CIRC Conference “Continuing to create a community of belonging”

Our counselors are dedicated to ensuring that a student’s mental health needs are being met. They treat all students, staff and faculty with courteous and respectful communication.

Question Who is eligible for counseling?

Counseling services are free to currently enrolled students at The Ohio State University at Newark and Central Ohio Technical College. College Credit Plus Students are not eligible for this service and should refer to their sponsoring high school for assistance.

Question What are some of the common reasons students request counseling?

Academic stressors
Adjusting to college
Anxiety and stress management
Family conflicts or turmoil
Feeling down or depressed
Feeling stressed out or overwhelmed
Focusing or inattention concerns
Grief and Loss
Organizational issues
Perfectionism
Relationship concerns
Relaxation techniques
Resource referrals
Sexual Orientation/Identification
Sleep problems
Suicidal thoughts
Time management issues

Question What can I expect in counseling?

Counseling Services is interested in your personal, academic, and intellectual growth. Some students meet with their counselor on a weekly basis, some on a bi-weekly basis, and others at varying intervals. In these 45-minute to one-hour counseling appointments, you and your counselor talk about what is causing you distress currently and explore ways to understand and alleviate these concerns. If you are 15 minutes or more late for your appointment, you will be asked to reschedule.

Initially you will attend a one-hour intake assessment with the counselor; this appointment must be held face-to-face (whether virtually or in person). You may or may not receive a mental health diagnosis at that time. The counselor will further explain your diagnosis and answer any questions you may have about your diagnosis. Then, you will be scheduled for either weekly or bi-weekly 45-minute to one-hour counseling appointments with a counselor. Together, you will decide on strategies to address your concerns. You may also be referred to other on-campus resources, or you may receive a referral to a clinician outside of Counseling Services.

Our services are provided on a voluntary basis (students choose to come to counseling), and you need not be referred by anyone to participate in the counseling process.

Question Need help now?

While Counseling Services does not offer crisis management services, we can assist you to get the help you need to ensure your safety.

If you are in immediate danger of harming yourself or others, please call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room. For local resources, call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211. To speak to someone outside of normal office hours, Ohio State Newark students can reach the Ohio State University After-Hours Line at 614.292.5766.

National Resources:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Call 800.273.8255
Crisis Text Line – Text “START” to 741-741
BIPOC Resources/The Steve Fund – Text “STEVE” to 741-741
Ohio CareLine – Call 1.800.720.9616
Trans Lifeline – Call 877.565.8860
Trevor Lifeline (LGBTQI Individuals) – Call 866.488.7386
Veterans Crisis Hotline: 800.273.8255, press 1

Question What if I don’t know if Counseling Services is right for me?

It is very common for students to be apprehensive about starting counseling services: they might not know what happens in counseling, would the counselor understand my cultural beliefs, what if the counselor doesn’t look like me, or is the counselor a safe space to explore identity issues. Students who are uncertain if they can benefit from our services can schedule a phone consultation by calling the Office of Student Life at 740.364.9578.

Our counselors will gladly discuss if Counseling Services is the best fit for you. We are currently building a diverse provider referral database, and we are committed to linking students to alternate referrals when the student does not feel the campus counselors would be a good fit for them.

Question What if I am a parent or loved one of a student I am concerned about?

Being a college student can be both an exciting and stressful time. There can be a lot of obstacles to navigate as students learn to balance academic priorities and other responsibilities. It is understandable to be concerned about your student and wondering how they will adjust to college life. While our counselors are unable to share information specific to your student, they can consult with you and offer additional information and clarification about mental health resources available to your student.

If you have concerns and would like to discuss available and helpful options for your student, you can call the Office of Student Life at 740.364.9578 and request to speak with an available counselor.

Please be aware that students must contact our office on their own in order to schedule with a counselor. Faculty, staff, families, friends or loved ones are not able to schedule on the behalf of students.

By law, we are not allowed to disclose any health-protected information about any of our clients without a client’s written consent except if a client is an immediate threat to themselves or the community. Please talk to your student regarding whether you have permission to their health information before asking us about their treatment with us.

Question What if I am a faculty or staff member, and I am concerned about a student?

As a faculty or staff member, some students may feel comfortable sharing more personal information about themselves with you. Your response can be a critical factor in determining whether the student accesses available mental health resources. It is important to know what to look for and how to reach out for consultation if you are concerned about a student.

Here are some possible signs of distress:

Academic

Excessive procrastination
Change in performance
Repeated requests for special consideration or accommodations
Excessive absence or tardiness
Excessively anxious when called upon in class
Unusual or change interaction patterns
Inability to stay awake in class
Disruptive or threatening behavior
Written work with reference to self-harm or content that appears bizarre

Behavioral Concerns

Change in appearance and hygiene
Dramatic weight gain or loss
Swollen or red eyes
Uncharacteristic changes in mood
Impaired speech
Inappropriate or exaggerated emotional reactions
Smell of alcohol/marijuana, or evidence of excessive alcohol/drug use
Difficulty concentrating
Disrupted sleep or appetite

If you have concerns for a student, call the Office of Student Life at 740.364.9578 to consult with a counselor or to discuss how to make a referral. When our representative answers, please say that you are a faculty or staff member and would like a call back from a counselor. As always, if you are aware of immediate risk of harm to a student or anyone else, call 911.

Please be aware that students must contact our office on their own in order to schedule with a counselor. Faculty, staff, families, friends or loved ones are not able to schedule on the behalf of students. You may contact us while the student is present, however we will need to speak directly to the student.

What should I do after referring a student?
Follow up. It can be helpful to arrange a time to speak with the student again after making a referral. This helps to communicate your concern and interest.
Maintain. Continue to provide clear and consistent boundaries and expectation with the student in your staff or faculty role.

Question Can I get an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) letter?

Emotional Support Animals are pets that help their caregiver deal with everyday life while they are struggling with a mental health condition, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD or certain phobias. These animals are not formally trained to help their caregivers meet their emotional needs. According to the American Disabilities Act (ADA), ESAs are not considered service animals and they do not have the same rights. Service animals can accompany their owners anywhere in a public setting according to the ADA. On the other hand, ESAs need advanced approval as an accommodation. For example, ESAs may be permitted as travel companions on planes or live with their owner in a housing unit if an ESA letter is provided by a qualified professional (primary care physician, licensed mental health professional such as a counselor, psychologist or psychiatrist).

Additionally, students who reside in a housing unit may ask our counselors to write an ESA letter in order to have an animal stay with them under the Fair Housing Act. Our counselors will not write letters for ESAs for housing, travel accommodations or course accommodations unless clinically necessary for students who are actively participating in on-campus counseling services. Ultimately, the decision to write an ESA letter for a student is up to each individual counselor’s clinical discretion. However, our counselors are happy to connect the students with a community-based provider to help determine disability status and need for an ESA or Service Animal if needed.

Question What are some additional community-based resources?

The listed community resources are provided for informational purposes only and are not “approved” or “endorsed” by The Ohio State University.

Addiction Resources:
SAMHSA National Helpline

BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Resources:

Meadows Counseling Group
Black owned business in Columbus that provides telehealth therapy, psychotherapy, training and supervision.
Chante Meadows, MSW, LISW-S
1350 W. 5th Avenue, Suite 112, Columbus, OH 43212
Phone 614.233.1062

Stone Counseling Services, LLC
Black owned business in Columbus that serves clients ages 8-21 who may be experiencing any stressors, behavioral issues, wanting support to reach goals or alleviating emotional distress.

Jeff Stone, MSW, LISW-S
2020 Leonard Avenue, Columbus Oh 43219
Phone 614.407.4212

Therapy for Black Girls
Online space encouraging the mental wellness of Black women and girls; referral tool to find a therapist in your area.

The Loveland Foundation
Financial assistance to Black women & girls seeking therapy

Therapy for Black Men
Primarily a therapist directory for Black men seeking therapy; includes some resources and stories

The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation
Changing the perception of mental illness in the African American community by encouraging people to get the help they need; focuses on stigma/self-stigma reduction and building trust between
Black people and the mental health field.

Resource Guide
Directory of mental health providers and programs that serve the Black community; includes therapists, support groups, etc., but also digital content, faith-based programs,
educational programs, etc.

Psychology Today - Black & African American Therapists in Columbus, OH

Career Resources:

Food Resources:

Housing/Shelter Resources:

Legal Resources:
Southeastern Ohio Legal Services

Local Department of Job & Family Services Websites:

Medical Support:

Mental Health Provider Lists:

Other Resources:

Sexual Assault/Rape Crisis/Domestic Violence Resources:

Transportation Services:

Veterans Services:

Question Are there any exceptions to your services?

Disclaimers: While our office does our best to try to serve every student, we do have certain exceptions to students we are unable to serve.

We are not able to see students who are court-ordered to treatment. If a student has any legal problems, court disputes, charges, or lawsuits that may require our staff to get involved, we do not offer opinions for court or provider letters for attorneys. We do not offer any psychological testing as we do not have psychologists on staff. We can provide diagnostic evaluations that are within our department’s scope of practice and based on our competency areas. Lastly, it is up to the counselor’s discretion whether they write an Emotional Service Animal (ESA) letter for a student who is requesting a letter for accommodations in a housing unit.

Current Students