CONSULTATIONS
Parents of TCU students can contact our Center during regular business hours to discuss any relevant concerns about a student. We can provide advice on how to approach a student in need, discuss any appropriate plans of action, and give information about possible referrals.
Due to state and federal law, we may not disclose whether a student (over the age 18) is a client of ours without a signed release of information. If you want information about a student’s progress in therapy, we suggest you speak with that student directly, or ask them to sign a release of information. In addition, we do not have the authority to mandate that students seek our services.
If you are interested in speaking with a counselor, please call our office at 817-257-7863. If there is an emergency after hours, please call the Campus police at 817-257-7777 or dial 911.
RESOURCES
Helpful resources for parents can be found here at http://www.jedfoundation.org/programs_parents.php.
Other resource materials are available at our Center and on this website under the "resource" section. If you would like more information or wish to speak with a counselor, please call our office at 817-257-7863.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY PARENTS
How do I refer my student to the Counseling, Testing, and Mental Health Center?
You can encourage your student to come by our office or call us at 817-257-7863. We prefer that students schedule their own appointments if possible, and we do not have the authority to mandate that any student seek our services. Our Center does offer walk-in appointments for students who are in crisis; however, appointments are typically scheduled in advance. During the initial appointment, your student will discuss their concerns with a staff counselor to determine how to best meet their needs.
Are there any fees associated with services at the Counseling, Testing, and Mental Health Center?
There are no charges for students to visit with a counselor or psychiatrist. Click here for information regarding the TCU Health Center pharmacy. Some testing services such as CLEP and MAT do have fees. See our service page for more details.
What kinds of testing does the Center provide?
Testing includes personality, career, interests, and aptitude assessment. Screening is available for learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Also College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests and national tests for admission to graduate schools are administered.
If my student visits the Counseling, Testing, and Mental Health Center, will I be notified?
Students over the age of 18 must sign a release of information before mental health professionals can discuss confidential information such as attendance and treatment progress. If you want information about a student’s therapy, we suggest you speak with that student directly, or ask him/her to sign a release of information. Proper authorities will be contacted if a student appears in danger of harm to self or others.
Who do I contact if I become concerned about my student's well being while he or she is living on or near campus?
You can call Campus Life at 817-257-7926. A Dean of Students will be able to assist your student in getting the support that they need either through the Counseling, Testing, and Mental Health Center, or other support services on campus.
What are some signs of depression?
Low motivation, weight loss, weight gain, insomnia, fatigue, low energy, low self-esteem, feeling hopeless, poor concentration, guilt, indecisiveness, mood swings, thoughts and/or attempts of self harm, abrupt changes in normal behavior.
What are some signs of anxiety?
Apprehensions, obsessions, worries, fear of losing control, fear of dying, dissociative responses, shortness of breath, increased heart rate, chills, chest pains or discomfort, smothering sensations, trembling or shaking, nausea or abdominal distresses, numbness, agoraphobia.
What are some signs of Eating Disorders?
Eating behaviors that are different from friends and family, panic about gaining weight, feeling fat even though thin, menstrual periods that do not occur regularly, daily obsessions about food, lost of 15% or more of ideal body weight, uncontrollable binges of eating large amounts of food, a habit of vomiting after eating, using laxatives to control weight, playing games with food and food rituals, believing that diet books and calorie counting are overly important, feeling guilty about eating food, fasting to control weight, wanting to be the thinnest person among friends, taking diet pills to control weight, and lying about eating.
Who can I contact if I want my student to meet with a psychiatrist for long term medication management on an ongoing basis?
You can contact our office at 817-257-7863 and we can provide names of physicians whose offices are near TCU.