Student Counseling Services: When you need to talk with someone
Students have access to a host of different mental health professionals. Choose from the options below to talk to someone based on your needs and your schedule.
See a therapist on campus
Student Counseling Services is located in Bahls Leadership Center 206. The office is open from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. every academic day. All services are free.
→ Meet the counselors on campus to help you choose one that fits your needs.
Schedule a counseling appointment
Email Cheri Mizaur or call 309-794-7357 to schedule an appointment. Student Counseling Services provides virtual and in-person counseling, and respects a student’s preference for a therapist with specific gender identifications.
Emergency appointments are available from 11 a.m.-noon and 3-4 p.m. every day. No prior appointment is necessary. These appointments are for students who are in acute crisis and need someone to talk to immediately.
Students also can receive immediate mental health support through TalkNow, or they can schedule virtual counseling visits through the platform.
Session limit
In order to manage the wait list for services, Student Counseling Services has instituted a six-session cap to scheduled counseling sessions a year. This excludes emergency appointments, J-term appointments, same-day appointments, and Tao Check-in appointments. Counseling sessions during those times do not count towards a student’s cap.
Same-day appointments
Only same-day sessions are available during the first and second weeks of the semester, as well as week 7 (midterms), and week 15 (finals). Sessions are not scheduled during those weeks. Students call or email for a counseling session during those weeks.
Students also can receive immediate mental health support through TalkNow, or they can schedule virtual counseling visits through the platform.
Weekly check-in appointments
Weekly 15-minute check-in appointments are offered to supplement scheduling counseling sessions and to help maintain a consistent relationship with counseling. These sessions typically have an added educational component.
Free tele-health care through TimelyCare
TimelyCare provides Augustana students access to free 24/7 medical and mental health support.
Students have access to medical care, including treatment for the common cold, sinus infections, or the flu. Physicians also may prescribe medication through the platform.
Students also can receive immediate mental health support through TalkNow, or they can schedule virtual counseling visits through the platform.
To use TimelyCare: Desktop users should follow the sign-up prompts at TimelyCare. Mobile users may download the TimelyCare app and follow the setup.
Psychiatric medication
Augustana students have access to medication services through the Robert Young Center (RYC) at Unity Point Health with psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Bill Liebbe.
Students can expect a 60-minute initial intake session with 30-minute follow up sessions for medication management.
To schedule an appointment, please email Cheri Mizaur at Cherimizaur@augustana.edu. Cheri will work with RYC to schedule an appointment.
Students can expect to fill out paperwork on campus with a RYC employee prior to their psychiatric appointment. All services through the RYC are billed through your insurance and are NOT covered by Augustana College tuition or fees.
Evaluations for academic accommodations
Student Counseling Services will not provide documentation for academic accommodations; however, students who suspect that their academic performance is impacted by a mental health disorder are encouraged to seek academic accommodations.
For students without previously documented accommodations, TimelyCare is a beneficial starting point. TimelyCare therapists will diagnosis mental health disorders and will make evaluation recommendations. Note: It usually requires multiple sessions for a formal diagnosis; however, therapists will not recommend specific academic accommodation nor write ESA letters.
Students have access to community therapists through TAO Connect as well. Click the "Find Your Therapist" button in TAO to connect with a therapist within your insurance network.
If more formal psychological evaluations, academic accommodations, or ESA letters are required, students are encouraged to connect with outside therapists through MiResource, Psychology Today, or the directory of off-campus counseling services and psychological evaluations.
Connect with an outside therapist
If you would like to meet with a therapist more regularly, or you have certain criteria for your therapist, we recommend using MiResource and Psychology Today to connect with therapists in the community.
Students have access to community therapists through TAO Connect. Click the "Find Your Therapist" button in TAO to connect with a therapist within your insurance network.
→ For more off-campus resources, see Off-campus counseling and evaluation.