Counseling Services

Free Counseling Services for Community Members

To learn more about our services, please contact the clinic at (423) 439-7679 and leave a message. A staff member will return your call to discuss any questions, learn more about your needs, and help determine whether our clinic is the right fit for you. If appropriate, we’ll also discuss next steps for scheduling an appointment.

To protect your confidentiality, we do not leave voicemails or share information with others unless you give us permission. If it is okay to leave a message or speak with someone else in your household, please let us know in your message. You may also email the clinic at CCC@etsu.edu to inquire about services or request an appointment.

Concerns Commonly Addressed

Counselors-in-training  are prepared to deal with a broad array of individual, couple and family concerns, including:

• Adjustment to life changes
• 
  Anxiety
• 
  Career exploration
• 
  Communication skills
• 
  Coping skills
• 
  Depression
• 
  Discrimination
• 
  Grief and loss
• 
  Interpersonal relationships
• 
  Self-exploration
• 
  Stress management

The Community Counseling Clinic operates through the Counseling Program at ETSU and cannot offer 24 hour emergency services, services to those requiring inpatient care, or services that are court-ordered. Individuals assessed to require greater attention and care than can be provided will be referred to an appropriate agency for services.

For those reasons, ETSU's Community Counseling Clinic does not see the following:

• Individuals currently exhibiting severe or acute behaviors or symptoms such as paranoia, hallucinations, etc.
• Individuals who have exhibited suicidal behaviors in the last 6 months.
• Individuals/couples/families for which forensic analysis is required or the submission of assessments, session documentation, or testimony to meet attorney, court or employer, etc. expectations.
• 
  Minors 17 and under will not be seen unless the person(s) consenting to their treatment has legal custody of the child.
• 
  Individuals currently in counseling with someone else will not be seen by the ETSU CCC (note some exceptions for couples and family counseling).
• Students in the ETSU counseling program and their immediate family members/partners.

Note: The ETSU Community Counseling Clinic is not responsible for children accompanying clients during counseling sessions.

Locations

Providers

The clinic is staffed by master's level counselors-in-training who are individually supervised by an ETSU Department of Counseling faculty member. As a  result, each case receives extensive consideration and attention, often more attention than is possible at other mental health facilities where there are financial and time constraints.

There are no limits on the number of counseling sessions that individuals and families may attend. However, counselors-in-training may rotate after 1 to 3 semesters, and those seeking services may be transferred to a new counselor. Because of the close supervision that our counselors receive, transferring clients to a new therapist is convenient and efficient, with minimum disruption to the counseling process.

Confidentiality

Information stated in counseling sessions is confidential. Information discussed in counseling sessions is not available to anyone (including guardians/family members, university administration, police, etc.) without a signed release from the client. However, by law counselors are obligated to report to appropriate persons:

• Evidence or reports of child abuse or neglect.
• Abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults.
• 
  Threats of harm to oneself or others.
• Reports of terrorism or imminent danger to public safety.
• Counselors may be compelled by court orders, such as subpoenas signed by a judge, to disclose client information.

We abide by HIPAA, FERPA, and the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics.

FAQs

• How can counseling help me?

  Counseling is most effective when clients actively engage and invest in the process. It provides a safe space to explore emotions and concerns without judgement. This fosters deeper self-awareness and understanding of behavioral patterns. Clients can learn coping and communication skills, along with strategies to manage stress, anxiety, or depression. They can also learn to identify and address challenges more effectively, gaining understanding and perspective. Counseling helps in setting realistic goals, supporting personal growth and enhanced clarity in navigating life’s challenges.

• Will I be seen by a student?

  Yes, we are a training clinic where all clients are seen by students (AKA counselors-in-training) who are working towards graduation. These students are supervised by licensed and doctoral-level counseling faculty.

• Can I request a specific student or a student who holds specific beliefs or identities?

  Specific counselors-in-training cannot be guaranteed but we will do our best to accommodate requests.

• How should I handle parking on campus?

  ETSU enforces parking restrictions for designated faculty/staff and student parking spaces on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Parking restrictions are not enforced after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, on weekends, and during university closures. Clients attending appointments before 4:30 p.m. will receive a parking permit valid for the academic year in which they are being seen.

• What happens if I don’t have a parking permit for my first appointment and receive a parking citation?

  Clients must follow ETSU’s appeal process for any parking citations received. To learn more about the appeal process, click this link.

• What are the CCC’s hours?

  The CCC's Graduate Assistant (GA) has varying work hours throughout the week. 

• Are counseling sessions recorded? For what purpose?

  Yes, as a training clinic, all sessions are recorded to support and facilitate student learning and professional development. Recordings are deleted at the conclusion of each semester.

• Is the CCC open on holidays or during inclement weather?

  The CCC follows ETSU’s schedule, including university breaks, closures for holidays, and inclement weather. Clients can stay updated on inclement weather closures by checking ETSU’s website or local news and radio stations. Counseling services are not available during semester breaks, including between semesters and during spring and fall break.

• What do I do if I’m sick or something comes up and cannot make it to my appointment?

  We understand that life happens. Please contact us by phone (423) 439-7679 or email CCC@etsu.edu at your earliest convenience to inform your counselor-in-training of your need to reschedule.

• Is there a no-show and/or cancellation policy?

  Yes, the CCC may discontinue services for clients who have two or more no-shows* or three or more client cancellations in a semester. Cancellations made by counselors-in-training are not included in the three cancellations per semester limit. We can provide referrals to other agencies that may better accommodate those clients’ scheduling needs.
  *A no-show refers to a situation where a client misses a scheduled appointment without notifying the clinic or counselor-in-training beforehand.

• Can I request services for someone I’m concerned about?

  All individuals seeking counseling services through the CCC must personally contact our clinic themselves, except minors aged 17 and under, or individuals with a health care proxy, health care power of attorney, or conservatorship.

• What can I expect to pay for counseling at the CCC?

  The CCC provides free counseling services to both community members and ETSU affiliates. Please note that there are limitations to our students’ scope of practice as noted above. 

Why ETSU Health?

It is the mission of the Community Counseling Clinic to serve our clients’ needs. We do not engage in discrimination based age, color, culture, disability, ethnic group, gender/gender identity, religion, sexual/affectional orientation, marital status, veteran status, or socioeconomic status.