The Psychological Counseling Unit is offering free psychological, psychiatric and career counseling services to all University of Memphis students enrolled in six or more hours.
"The most common problems we deal with are problems with relationships," said U of M psychologist Carl Gilleylen, who manages the Psychological Counseling Unit.
Gilleylen said relationship problems range from problems with family and friends to girlfriends, boyfriends and roommates. The center also treats students who are struggling with depression and anxiety, which most frequently involves stress from packed schedules, phobias and distress over tests.
To get psychological counseling, students should go to Scates Hall, room 120, and schedule an appointment.
However, if a student comes in with an emergency, Gilleylen said, there is no wait -- a counselor will see the student immediately. There is also an after-hours telephone line (678-HELP) open for emergencies.
When the student returns for the appointment, he or she will meet with a counselor for a one-hour intake session to try to pinpoint the problem. After the intake session, regular appointments may be scheduled, if necessary, until the problem is solved.
"For a psychological problem, it usually takes six to 10 meetings to solve it," Gilleylen said.
Gilleylen said to get career counseling a student must take a one-hour interest inventory test and fill out a personal profile, which tells the psychologists about the student's likes and dislikes.
After the test is evaluated, two meetings with a counselor are usually scheduled to further assess the student's interests. After a total of three visits, the student should have an idea of what field he or she wants to go into.
The Psychological Counseling Unit also provides psychology interns and practicing students a chance to test their skills with patients while under staff supervision.
"The experience is really good for them," Gilleylen said. There are four psychology interns, four practicing students at either master's or doctoral levels, seven licensed psychologists and one psychiatrist on staff at the center.
The center also offers a single parenting group, a shyness group, a grief support group and a substance abuse education group, all of which are confidential.
The Psychological Services Center, in the psychology building, offers counseling as well, but charges for its services.
"The fees we have are for the testing only," said administrative secretary Lorna Horifhny. "It is $7 for the interest inventory, $5 for the personality profile and $125 for the learning disabilities tests, which compares to a $600 to $800 fee in the community."
The unit's hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday. For more information, call 678-2068.
