Frequently Asked Questions
If you notice you are having a difficult time or generally feel stuck, it may be helpful to work with a trained therapist at the Counseling Center in an individual or group setting. People come into the Counseling Center to discuss a range of topics, including relationships, family, identities, grief and loss, depression, stress, and many more experiences and concerns. Sometimes it may be hard to identify why you feel overwhelmed or "not like yourself," and a therapist will collaborate with you to build a better understanding of what you are experiencing.
All communication exchanged in the Counseling Center is confidential. Because information is confidential, in order to release information from a session or n assessment, a client must provide written permission. The exceptions to this policy include: if information relates to clear and imminent danger to an individual (client or others), if state law mandates reporting of information (threats of violence, abuse or neglect to children or a vulnerable adult population, violence between domestic partners), or if information is requested by court order.
During individual counseling, a person works one-on-one with a therapist; whereas, in group counseling, a small group of people meet to interact and process together with a therapist.
The center has Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (PsyD, PhD) and Counselors and Therapists (ATR, LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, LPA); please review the staff page for further details. The Counseling Center is also a training site for students in the Educational and Counseling Psychology (ECPY) programs at the University of Louisville, the Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville, and the Clinical Psychology doctoral program at Spalding University.
If you'd like to begin services at the Counseling Center, you can call us M-F from (9:00 am-5:00 pm) to schedule a brief 30 minute triage. From there, you and your clinician will decide next steps, which may include scheduling an Initial Assessment, referral to one or more of our groups, other on or off campus resources, and/or adding you to our waitlist (if applicable). If you have questions about this process, please contact the Counseling Center at 502-852-6585 or email coping@louisville.edu.
Please note that urgent consultation services are provided on a first come, first served basis. Our busiest time is 3-4:00pm. Please plan to call us as early as possible to allow time to complete paperwork and receive a callback from a clinician. We may have to call you back the following day if there are several students ahead of you.
The length of a typical counseling appointment is 45-50 minutes. Triages and urgent consultations last approximately 30 minutes.
Prior to your first appointment, we will ask you to complete electronic paperwork. If we are operating in-person, you may complete the forms on a tablet in our waiting room. For telehealth (online) sessions, we will send you a link to complete paperwork on your own device. Please allow 10-15 minutes to complete paperwork. During your first visit (triage) to the Counseling Center, you will meet with a therapist to discuss your present concerns. The therapist will collaborate with you to discuss goals and the process of counseling. You may be referred to group, to off-campus services, you may be scheduled for an initial assessment, or added to our waitlist. You may or may not meet with the same therapist for your initial assessment as you did for your triage, but typically you will continue to meet with the therapist who did your initial assessment for subsequent visits to the Counseling Center. Although therapists often take different approaches to this process, the initial assessment is generally a time for them to get to know you. If you feel as though that particular person is not a good fit for you, it is possible to transfer to another therapist.
If you have an urgent situation during Counseling Center hours, please contact the Counseling Center at 852-6585 or come to the office.
For emergencies, please call 911, or contact a hotline or service provider listed in the emergency information section. Some of these resources are available 24/7.
Services provided to currently enrolled students are covered by student fees and do not require additional payment. These services include: individual counseling, group counseling, workshops, couples therapy, urgent consultation, and referrals. Learning Disability and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Assessments are offered to currently enrolled students on a sliding fee scale. Please contact the Counseling Center for further information about assessments.
The Counseling Center does not offer medication evaluations on-site. However, the Counseling Center does provide psychiatric referrals to Campus Health Services when appropriate. You can also contact your primary care provider for a referral to Campus Health.
No. That is exclusively handled by the Disability Resource Center.
For information about the University's policy on the use of emotional support animals on campus, please visit https://louisville.edu/policies/policies-and-procedures/pageholder/pol-use-of-service-and-emotional-support-animals-on-campus
Psychological Assessment
Psychological testing consists of a battery of scientifically developed tests and interviews that assess different aspects of a person’s psychological and cognitive functioning. The purpose of psychological testing is to gain a comprehensive understanding of a person’s strengths and weaknesses, identify potential cognitive deficits or learning difficulties, and potential mood or emotional problems in order to make appropriate recommendations for treatment (https://www.allkindsoftherapy.com/blog/what-is-psychological-testing).
A neuropsychological assessment is performed by a neuropsychologist. While a neuropsychological assessment typically assesses similar aspects of functioning to psychological assessments, they generally involve a more in-depth assessment of brain function in areas such as memory, attention, information processing, language, visual/spatial skills, and fine motor skills (https://www.allkindsoftherapy.com/blog/what-is-psychological-testing). It is of note that a neuropsychological assessment is usually recommended when there are concerns such as dementia, seizures, or a traumatic brain injury.
The ULCC uses a sliding scale fee to determine the cost for an assessment. The sliding scale is based on the student’s income, or the parent’s income if the student is financially supported by a parent. The cost of an assessment ranges from $100 to $500. A $50 dollar deposit is required at the time of scheduling the appointment, and the remainder of the fee can be paid in installments, with the expectation that all fees due are paid prior to release of the written report. If you are unable to afford the fee you qualify for, you can appeal the fees and speak with the assessment team clinicians to discuss your options.
The ULCC does not bill private or student insurance. If you would like to use your health insurance, please call, and find out more about your benefits and in-network providers for psychological assessments.
How much time does the assessment process take? The amount of time needed for an assessment varies depending on the assessment question. The assessment battery is selected based on the student’s needs, concerns, and history. Typically, a student can expect to attend two to three appointments to complete testing, ranging from 2 to 5 hours each. Students will also attend a feedback session at the conclusion of testing to discuss results and recommendations. The average time expected to complete testing and obtain results is approximately 2 months, but more or less time could be required for some individuals.
Currently, the ULCC does have a wait list for psychological assessment and the expected wait varies from semester to semester. A member of the assessment team can provide more information about your estimated wait time during your triage appointment or provide you with community resources if you need testing urgently.
There are multiple benefits of psychological assessment, including diagnostic clarification and determining the right treatment and resources for you. Your assessment results may make you eligible to receive academic accommodations, such as extended time on tests or assignments, a testing environment with limited distractions, or assistance with notetaking. For more information about academic accommodations at the University, please see the Disability Resource Center’s webpage: https://louisville.edu/disability. If you are concerned about the possibility of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), formal testing may be required to receive medication for this condition. If you have a previous diagnosis of ADHD, or have been tested previously, you may not require current testing and may be able to receive medication based on your history and diagnosis. Please reach out to your physician or to Campus Health Services at https://louisville.edu/campushealth. Finally, psychological assessments provide greater self-awareness and understanding that can improve your academic and psychological functioning.
The ULCC does provide comprehensive testing for standardized examinations and can make recommendations regarding the need for accommodations, though our report does not guarantee that accommodations will be given. If you are seeking accommodations on a nationally normed standardized examination, we recommend that you contact the Counseling Center to get on the wait list as soon as possible.
Although treatment providers may sometimes recommend updated testing, you may not need to be retested to receive medication management or academic accommodations at the university. You will need to obtain and present a copy of your previous test report to the Disability Resource Center or to your psychiatric provider. If you have questions about whether you need updated testing, you can email us at coping@louisville.edu or request to speak with a member of the Assessment Team at 502-852-6585.
As the testing process is lengthy and we want to obtain the most accurate results, it is important that you get a good night’s rest the night before your appointment and eat breakfast. You will be given breaks during the testing process. Please bring any reports from past assessments or any other documentation that may assist with the assessment process, such as past IEPs. If you need reading glasses, please bring those as well. Please inform the testing team if you are currently taking any medications, since some psychiatric medications impact attention and memory. You may need to stop certain medication a day or two prior to testing, in order to obtain accurate results. We also ask that you abstain from substance use prior to your testing appointment, as alcohol and other substances can negatively impact cognitive functioning, and we want to get the most accurate picture of your psychological functioning as possible.