Counseling Services

Let's Talk is a free, confidential, one-on-one mental health consultation with a CAPS Counselor. It's a great option for students who may not need traditional counseling, but could benefit from one-on-one support. Follow the link to schedule a virtual appointment: Let’s Talk

What to expect: 15-20 minute, confidential, consultation with a counselor feedback and support, collaborative problem solving, and/or connecting to other resources on and off campus

CAPS provides presentations to the UC community for a variety of topics related to mental health and wellness. These workshops and programs can be tailored to meet the specific needs of groups/units across campus, i.e. workshops on issues of diversity within units or factors that impact the mental health needs and functioning of at risk or targeted groups. If you would like to request a workshop or presentation, please contact CAPS at 513-556-0648.

• UC Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) 24-7 Hotline: 513-556-0648
• Emergency Help (24-hour police assistance): call 911
• Hamilton County Crisis Hotline: 513-281-CARE
• Butler County Crisis Hotline: 513-523-4146
• Clermont County Crisis Hotline: 513-528-SAVE
• Warren County Crisis Hotline: 877-695-NEED
• United Way Help Line: 513-721-7900
• National Suicide Hotline: 800-273-8255

Counseling is an opportunity to form a relationship with a person who is professionally trained to help discuss and navigate concerns and challenges. These discussions help a student clarify feelings and thoughts regarding concerns and challenges. This helping relationship can lead to a growth process that helps individuals define goals, make decisions, and solve problems related to personal-social, educational, and career concerns. Assessment and referral may be course of services for some clients.

A student’s discussions with a counselor are kept completely confidential within Counseling Services, and will not be part of the student's school record. The exception is when a student poses foreseeable harm to self (student) or as required by HIPAA law. A student can also choose to sign a release of information form in order to allow the counselor to disclose confidential information to a third party.

Mental Health and personal counseling services are available to students who are matriculated as UC Blue Ash College students. In order to utilize full-semester counseling services at the UC Blue Ash Campus, students must have at least half of their courses registered at UCBA. These criteria do not apply should students have need for immediate walk-in or crisis counseling.

Visit UC's Counseling & Psychological Services webpage.

Most of our services are free! Please visit our fees and insurance page for a list of services that may have some costs. We provide fee waivers for many student groups, including students with financial concerns.

If you are a UC student accessing services in Ohio, call CAPS at 513-556-0648 to schedule a 30-minute phone or videoconferencing session. We have sessions available Monday – Friday between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. After you schedule, you’ll receive an email from CAPS with instructions for how to complete your paperwork and connect to your appointment.

Making a referral for counseling is a skill that requires tact, sensitivity, and at times, firmness. The purpose of the referral should be made clear to the student. If possible, explain how the
counseling Office might assist the student with their problems.

Introduce the topic of referral to the student by summarizing to him or her what you understand to be the problem. Emphasize the emotional responses that you have heard. State specifically why you are concerned and describe the behaviors then suggest a visit to the Counseling Office.

• A student's initial contact with the Counseling Office may be made by phone, or by visiting the office. Give the student information (e.g., counseling brochure) about the Counseling Office and urge them to call.
  
• If you want to offer support, you can have the student call the Counseling Office from your office and/or you can offer to accompany the student to their first session.
  
• If you call the Counseling Office on behalf of the student, identify yourself and explain to the support staff that you are assisting a student in making an appointment, then allow the student to speak with the support staff to arrange an appointment.
  
• Emergencies are always accommodated as soon as possible, and same day appointments may be possible. For non-emergency situations, appointments are highly recommended.
• If you decide it is important to share information about the student with the Counseling Office, it is better to receive permission from the student beforehand. Contact a counselor in the Counseling Office later to share pertinent information about the person you referred.
• For student consultations, faculty and staff members can consult with any of the Counseling Office professionals regarding appropriate help or information by calling 513-556-0648.

Greater Cincinnati Area Crisis Information Line Referral Sources. These resources can also be used after hours in case of an emergency.

• Emergency Help (24-hour police assistance): call 911
• United Way Help Line: 513-721-7900
• Suicide/Depression Hotline: 513-281-CARE
• Psychiatric Emergency Services: 513-584-8577
• National Suicide Hotline: 800-273-8255
• CAPS (Main campus): 513-556-0648
• Emergency Help (24-hour police assistance): call 911
• Butler County Crisis Hotline: 513-523-4146
• Clermont County Crisis Hotline: 513-528-SAVE
• Warren County Crisis Hotline: 877-695-NEED
• United Way Help Line: 513-721-7900
• Hamilton County Crisis Hotline: 513-281-CARE
• Psychiatric Emergency Services: 513-584-8577
• National Suicide Hotline: 800-273-8255

Student confidentiality prohibits the counseling staff from providing faculty or staff with information about a student you have referred. It is almost always appropriate for you to check back with the student to determine whether he or she has followed through on your recommendation. This communicates your interest and concern. Once a referral is made, communication between the student and the Counseling Office is often confidential.

Some students form an attachment with faculty and staff and look to them for support. Before deciding to support a student on your own, briefly assess the situation, its seriousness, and potential for referral. If you choose to support students yourself UCBA Counseling Office can provide you with consultation and support.

• Mental/Personal Counseling: Students presenting problems of a personal/emotional, social, career, or educational nature may take advantage of individual short term counseling services provided by an independently licensed clinical counselor. Students seek services on a voluntary basis that may address issues such as anger, anxiety, depression, adjusting to college, self- esteem, family issues, grief and loss, depression, and interpersonal issues.

The Counseling Office provides directly, through referral, or in collaboration the following services:

• Assessment: Designed to identify student needs, appropriate services, and referral to community resources.
• Individual Counseling: Students presenting problems of a personal/emotional, social, career, or educational nature may take advantage of individual short term counseling services (up to 10 sessions per term) provided by a professionally trained counselor. Students seek services on a voluntary basis that may address issues such as anger, anxiety, depression, adjusting to college, self-esteem, family issues, grief and loss, and interpersonal issues.
• Academic Counseling: Offered to enrolled students and focuses on helping students to assess and overcome specific deficiencies in educational preparation or skills for success in college. This can include issues such as time management, test anxiety, study skills, balancing responsibilities, and strategies to deal with expectations found in college.
• Crisis Intervention: Designed to assist students with personal/emotional concerns. These students will be seen as soon as possible. Consultation with professionals from the Counseling Office should provide an opportunity for students to explore the nature of the crises and identify appropriate alternatives for a resolution. For emergency medical intervention call 911 to arrange transportation to the nearest hospital emergency room.
• Consultation: Consultation is available on an as-needed basis for students, faculty, staff, and other campus departments/divisions to provide information or assistance with a variety of concerns. We will work with faculty, staff, and individuals to identify appropriate resources to meet your specific situations, assistance in crisis management, assisting faculty and staff to provide better services to students, and providing guidelines for appropriate referrals are some areas for consultation. Faculty and staff may arrange for consultation services by calling 513-558-9461 or by visiting the Counseling Office.
• Outreach Presentations: Designed to provide preventive and educational programs that support and enhance the campus- learning environment for students. If faculty, staff, or student organizations have a need for specific programs, contact the Counseling Office to make arrangements for a group presentation or workshop. Programs could cover topics such as study skills, career development, test anxiety, success motivation, and classroom behavior issues. Two week notice is required on request for presentations