EIU Counseling Clinic

Eligibility of Services and Counseling Limitations 

A student must be currently enrolled at Eastern Illinois University to be eligible for counseling services. In the summer, students may have one consultation session if they are enrolled in Fall classes. EIU Counseling Clinic offers initial appointments, short-term individual counseling, crisis services, group counseling, consultations, and referral services.  Students with more specialized counseling needs, including those who would benefit from longer-term counseling, may be provided with appropriate referral information for treatment in the community. All decisions to refer students out of EIU Counseling Clinic will be made solely on the basis of clinical judgment and availability of necessary resources. Students may be referred out of the counseling clinic if:

• The student needs to be seen individually once a week or more often.
• The student displays symptoms out of the scope of EIU Counseling Clinic, indicating more specialized or intensive counseling services.
• The students’ symptoms get worse despite following through treatment recommendations.
• The student does not display motivation for change and may not be ready for counseling services.
• The student may be recommended to try an additional resource or skill based on the Stepped Care Model and Clinical Judgment of counseling staff.
• The student already has a strong relationship with another treatment provider and may be encouraged to continue with that provider.
• The student may secure an appointment in the community more quickly.
• The student needs appointment times outside of the EIU Counseling Clinic operating hours.

Frequency and duration of counseling services will be determined by the student’s counselor. Students are typically limited to no more than 8 sessions a semester (biweekly). At times, students may need to be seen more frequently, which is determined by the counselor’s clinical judgment and Associate Director of Counseling Clinic.

In accordance with APA Ethical Guidelines students may see only one individual therapy provider at a time; therefore, if a student is already receiving mental health services outside of EIU they are encouraged to continue working with that provider. Students who wish to discontinue seeing their outside provider and start seeing a counselor at EIU Counseling Services, may discuss this with Counseling Clinic Staff during their initial appointment.

The EIU Counseling Clinic does not provide psychological testing, medication, or formal diagnosis. The Counseling Clinic also does not make final any final decision regarding emotional support animals, Medical Withdrawals, Medical Leave of Absence, Accommodations, and Housing Appeals.