Students have access to confidential mental health counseling and care. The staff of the LMU Office of Mental Health Counseling help current students overcome the personal, career, and academic concerns that often stand in the way of them reaching their full potential. The office operates as the primary mental health service for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students enrolled at the University. Counselors provide free, short- term treatment typically lasting between five to eight sessions per semester; however, treatment may extend beyond eight sessions when appropriate.
Counseling provides an opportunity for students to explore their unique problems, difficulties, and concerns with a licensed mental health professional in a safe and confidential environment. In addition, the office offers crisis intervention and psychoeducational training for the campus community.
If students require long-term counseling or treatment needs exceeding the scope of LMU’s practice, the counselors will work with the individual to find appropriate off- campus treatment options. Students who secure services in the community are responsible for paying for those services. Most community providers accept insurance. Some have a sliding scale fee schedule for those who do not have insurance that covers mental health services. Information regarding counseling services is found on the following website: https://www.lmunet.edu/counseling/services-provided
After hours calls to the LMU Office of Mental Health Counseling are forwarded to a call center staffed with professional mental health counselors to assist callers. This service is available after-hours during weekdays, any time during weekends, holidays, and when the campus is closed for inclement weather.
- A main mental health services phone number is given to all students which is accessible anywhere where students have phone services: 423-869-6277
- During normal business hours (8:00am – 4:30pm, Monday – Friday), this number will reach the main campus in Harrogate where the mental health counselors either on the Harrogate, Knoxville, or Orange Park campus will be notified. The counselors will assess the situation to make certain that all emergent situations are handled appropriately either with a call to 911 or referral to inpatient psychological services. If the situation is not an emergency, the counselor will schedule an appointment with the student for a follow-up.
- During after hours, the same main number will be forwarded to a call center where a licensed professional counselor will support students.
- If a student is off campus, the on-campus counselor or call center counselor will direct the student to the nearest licensed professional in their area.
All encounters are confidentially documented with procedures for follow-up.