Counseling and Mental Health Center
The Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC), in the Division of Student Affairs, assists University of Texas at Austin students in coping effectively with aspects of their personal, social, and psychological welfare and growth so they may realize their full academic potential. CMHC programs address problems that can affect day-to-day living, respond to student crises, support student mental health, well-being and safety, and generally prepare the student to respond more effectively to the challenges of University life. The center also provides support to the University community by consulting with faculty, staff, and administrators and by responding to traumatic events affecting University students. CMHC services include short-term individual counseling, group counseling, walk-in and crisis line counseling, psychiatric evaluation and medication, if indicated, and prevention and education programs designed to support student safety, growth, and development.
The center is committed to the promotion and affirmation of diversity in its broadest sense. Its mission requires that people of every background be able to use its services with the expectation of respectful treatment. CMHC’s diversity coordinators include clinicians with specialized interests, training, and knowledge for serving the university’s diverse student population. The center’s Statement on Diversity is published online.
The Counselor in Academic Residence (CARE) program provides convenient and easily accessible counseling for students in most colleges and schools across campus as well as consultation for their faculty and staff. The Integrated Health Program, a collaboration with University Health Services, offers mental health services, self-paced MindBody Labs for stress reduction and biofeedback, and classes on stress management and mindfulness. The Mindful Eating Program provides treatment options for students with disordered eating or body image concerns. The Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Program provides assessment, support services, and short-term counseling for students with alcohol and other drug use/abuse issues.
CMHC Prevention and Outreach services are extended to the university community through campus programming. The Voices Against Violence (VAV) program works to prevent interpersonal violence (sexual violence, relationship violence, and stalking) on campus. VAV offers individual and group counseling, as well as advocacy for survivors. VAV staff also conduct outreach and prevention programming, including peer-education via Theatre for Dialogue. The Be That One suicide prevention and mental health promotion program is dedicated to raising awareness of and reducing the risk for suicide and promoting behaviors that enhance well-being. Workshops, training, and other campus programming are offered by Be That One staff.
The Counseling and Mental Health Center clinical staff includes counseling and clinical psychologists, professional counselors, psychiatrists, and social workers. It is approved by the American Psychological Association for internship training and cooperates with the departments of clinical psychology, educational psychology, and the School of Social Work, in training intern and practicum students. In addition, CMHC cooperates with The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing in training psychiatric nurse practitioner students, The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy in training pharmacy residents, and with The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School Psychiatry Residency Program in training psychiatry residents.
The Counseling and Mental Health Center is located on the fifth floor of the Student Services Building, 100 West Dean Keeton Street, and is open weekdays 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The telephone number is (512) 471-3515.
The center provides walk-in crisis counseling during business hours and a crisis line that can be reached twenty-four hours a day, every day, including weekends and holidays. The telephone number is (512) 471-CALL (471-2255).