Welcome to Western Carolina University’s Counseling and Psychological Services Center (CPS). CPS provides consultations and psychological counseling to students (and a one time consultation for faculty/staff) on a short-term basis at no cost. If, following your initial appointment, CPS staff determines that your needs do not match the services available, or if longer-term counseling is recommended, you will be referred to other resources (e.g. specialized treatment, academic advising, career counseling).Our CPS case manager can provide assistance in linking with these resources, if desired

WheeCU Now: Walk-In Clinic

** CPS is proud to introduce our WheeCU Now: Walk-In - a "NEW" Clinic streamlined initial services process.  Our new walk-in and initial assessment process is a way for CPS staff to better serve students.   As a staff we thank you for your patience and understanding as we make these changes.

There are now two ways to initially establish services.  For each service below, students are asked to come 15 minutes prior to the walk-in/appointment time to complete the initial paperwork:

1. Students, not currently established with a CPS mental health professional, can walk-in every Monday through Friday and arrive between 12:30 to 2:30.  Walk-ins services are on a first come first serve basis, it is best to arrive early.  Walk-in services are a brief individual session, 20 minutes, during this time you can discuss your needs and clinicians will facilitate entry into appropriate services.  

2. As always, students can choose to schedule an initial consultation appointment with the first available clinician or a clinician of their choice; during busier times in the semester there may be a waiting period for these lengthier, more comprehensive assessments.

Regardless of how you choose to access our services, we look forward to meeting with you and facilitating your access to our services and other relevant services and resources.

Short-Term Goal Oriented Counseling Services
We provide several forms of brief counseling services including individual, couples, and group. Individual and couples counseling involves meeting with a counselor for approximately 45-50 minutes. You and your counselor determine how frequently both of you will meet. It is common for students to meet with a counselor weekly, but many meet every other week or even once a month. Due to high demand and limited resources, you’ll work together with your counselor to try to achieve limited goals in a short period of time. If long-term or specialized services are most appropriate we may refer you to a more appropriate service off-campus (area therapists). 
   
Group Counseling
Group counseling involves meeting with approximately 5-8 other students on a weekly basis. Group meetings generally last for about an hour and a half and are often led by two counselors. Groups are an excellent vehicle for students who have concerns with shyness, fear of rejection, assertively expressing themselves, feeling anxious around others, and have difficulty communicating. As a result, this is an opportunity for a student to experiment with different ways of expressing her/himself, receive feedback from others on how they perceive her/him, receive support and encouragement, and offer support to the other group members.

Groups address a variety of student needs: women's experiences, men's experiences, body image & eating disorders, enhancing relationships, trauma and abuse recovery, self-esteem, stress management, GLBT support and substance abuse among others. See the current semester group schedule (i.e., Health Rhythms Drumming, Living Mindfully, Not Mindlessly) for more information. 

Additional Services

Case Management Services
Short-term case management services are offered to WCU students needing referrals to community resources and/or intensive follow up following a crisis or psychiatric hospitalization.  If you or someone you know needs case management services, call the Counseling and Psychological Services Center to request an intake appointment. 

Consultation Services
Faculty, staff or students who desire professional consultation regarding concerns about others may make an appointment. At various times this option has been utilized by clubs, teams, groups of roommates or friends, as well as individuals. Our staff will talk with you about your concerns, offer you our professional view of the situation, and make recommendations when appropriate. 

Eating Disorder Services
To address the varied needs and potentially life-endangering behaviors of college students with eating disorders, a multidisciplinary group was created at Western Carolina University in 1991.  Eating Disorder Services (EDS) is composed of health professionals from Counseling & Psychological Services, the university health services, and the fitness center and athletics, if needed.  EDS meets regularly each semester to review current cases, coordinate treatment, and plan interventions.

Psychiatric Services
If you have been referred to consult with our psychiatrist for further assessment and treatment recommendations they will work closely with our staff to devise a comprehensive treatment plan which ideally will assist you in addressing the issues that brought you to counseling. Psychiatric appointments are scheduled one day each week during fall and spring semesters. As an enrolled Western student, you may be eligible for assessment and follow-up sessions. All appointments with the psychiatrist will be charged to your health insurance.  

Emergency Services
All WCU students are eligible for emergency services (crisis services), whether or not they are currently using our counseling services. If a student receives emergency services, they are encouraged (and sometimes required) to follow-up with a CPS counselor as directed. As we do not operate as a crisis center, we try to ensure proactive care and follow-up that is sensitive to the student's needs.