Chapter 12. Counseling and Mental Health Center

Subchapter 12–100. General Provisions

Sec. 12–101. Purpose

The purpose of the Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC) is to provide individual counseling, group counseling, psychiatric services, and prevention and outreach for students in order to help them promote, maintain, and improve their mental health so as to maximize their academic and college experience.

Sec. 12–102. Definitions

In this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning, the following definitions apply.

1. “Director” means the director of CMHC.
2. “Services” means services provided by the CMHC.
3. “University” means The University of Texas at Austin.
4. “Student” means a person enrolled at the University or a person accepted for admission or readmission to the University while that person is on the campus and is eligible for services.

Subchapter 12–200. Administration

Sec. 12–201. Duties of the Director

1. The director will:
   1. maintain and administer the programs of the services so that they relate meaningfully to the needs of the student body, faculty, and staff;
   2. appoint assistants and coordinators for various phases of program planning, administration, and development; and,
   3. designate specific staff members who will perform assigned duties in the absence of the director.
2. The director is in charge of the Counseling and Mental Health Center and is administratively responsible to and will report regularly to the vice president for student affairs.

Sec. 12–202. Duties of the Associate & Assistant Directors

The associate directors are responsible for the duties assigned by the director
1. The associate and assistant directors are responsible for the duties assigned by the director.
2. During the director’s absence, the associate or assistant directors assume the duties of the director.

Subchapter 12–300. Services Provided

Sec. 12–301. Services Provided to Students

The services provide general and specific functions which include:

1. individual counseling;
2. group counseling, classes, programs, and workshops;
3. psychiatric evaluation and medication services;
4. crisis intervention, triage, and 24/7 crisis line;
5. integrated health in collaboration with University Health Services;
6. counselors in academic residence (CARE);
7. diversity coordinator program;
8. mental health consultation, prevention, and outreach services;
9. stress management and biofeedback resources;
10. traumatic events responses; and,
11. internships, practicum, and residency programs for graduate-level, professional, and medical students.

Sec. 12–302. Services Provided to the University

CMHC provides mental health consultation services to faculty, staff, and administrators regarding student mental health concerns. As well, CMHC responds to traumatic events impacting the campus and provides consultation to students, faculty, staff, and administrators about coping with these events. CMHC provides prevention, promotion, outreach, and education to students, faculty, and staff regarding suicide prevention, interpersonal violence, resilience, and a variety of mental health and wellness topics. CMHC also provides a training facility for university professional and graduate students in counseling psychology, clinical psychology, social work, pharmacy, medical school, and nursing.

Subchapter 12–400. Counseling and Mental Health Center Records

Sec. 12–401. Confidentiality of Records

1. Confidentiality of CMHC records is governed by the laws of the State of Texas and applicable federal law. A notice of our privacy practices is available at http://cmhc.utexas.edu/ppn.html. 
2. With certain exceptions, a student is entitled to review or have access to the content of his or her confidential records.

Subchapter 12–500. Fees, Payment for Services, Eligibility for Counseling and Mental Health Center Services

Sec. 12–501. Fees

The Counseling and Mental Health Center is funded by tuition paid by students and by charges for certain services. For more information about CMHC charges and payments go to http://www.cmhc.utexas.edu/charges.html. 

Sec. 12–502. Payment for Services

Any student who incurs a charge for services rendered by CMHC must pay the charges owed. CMHC will always assist students in making arrangements for payment.

Sec. 12–503. Eligibility for Counseling and Mental Health Center Services

An individual may use the Counseling and Mental Health Center if: 

1. the person is a currently registered student at the University;
2. the person is a student who is covered by the Vice President for Student Affairs Interagency Agreements such as UTMB-Galveston and UTHSC;
3. the person has paid the CMHC service extension fee and was registered during the semester immediately preceding the semester when services are requested (excluding University students who have graduated or withdrew from the University before the twelfth class day of the current semester);
4. the person has been admitted to the University, has paid the CMHC service extension fee, and will enroll the semester following the time services are requested;
5. the person has paid the CMHC service extension fee and is a visiting scholar/researcher who is not officially registered for class at the university, or a post-doctoral fellow, or a person enrolled in the English as a Second Language Program;
6. the person has withdrawn from the University, but was enrolled after the twelfth class day of the current semester;
7. a person attending New Student Orientation, but not registered for the current semester is eligible to use CMHC crisis services without paying the CMHC service extension fee, although the routine appointment fee would apply;
8. a person admitted to the University, but not registered for the current semester is eligible to use CMHC Brief Assessment and Referral (BART) services without paying the CMHC service; and, 
9. the person is an eligible minor (meets one of the above criteria for a-H) age 12-17, who is able to consent to their own treatment according to the State of Texas statute or with appropriate written consent from a parent or guardian.