Free psychological counseling services are offered to students at the Health Center on a drop-in basis.

Not all students know the Health Center is also home to a Psychological-counseling center. The services provided are free of charge because students pay for them in their tuition fees, said Director of Psychological Counseling Services, Equilla Luke.

Luke said that there are approximately 28,000 students this fall and they should know that the counseling services are available to them.

The center has a team of 11 providers, ranging from psychiatrist to licensed clinical social workers.

Sessions vary in length depending on the needs of the student, but the average sessions lasts from 45 to 50 minutes, Luke said.

“We have a short- term model, we have a limit of sessions that we set, we say up to 10 a year for a couple years,” Luke said.

Group counseling is also available to those who do not wish to participate in individual counseling. There are various group counseling sessions available and each is designed to specifically focus on one aspect of the student’s lives.

The counseling center has expanded its office to the University Union Health Center next to Round Table Pizza. Their Evening drop-in hours are from 4:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., for those students who stay on campus late, said Equilla.

The counseling department located at the main health center has drop-in hours from 10:00 a.m.-11:45 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.-2:45 p.m.Some students found it convenient knowing the school offered these services.

Rosewell Aquino, a junior, said he did not know there was a counseling service on-campus.

“I didn’t know they were free. I think it’s convenient and I would use them if I needed to” Aquino said.

Graduate student Tanie Chakroborty likes the convenience of the on-campus center.

“You’re on-campus anyways, and I wouldn’t know where to look for one outside of school” she said.

The counseling center also offers testing to students who believe they may have a learning disability.

“Students are referred by a faculty member or they are referred by the Services for Students with Disabilities office”Luke said.

A list of all services can be obtained in the main counseling center.

Any student interested in making an appointment with the counseling center can go to the main health center, located in student parking lot one in front of the school. Students who wish to use the counseling services at the University Union can drop-in during their evening hours.