What is counseling?
Counseling is a confidential professional relationship that empowers individuals, couples, families, and groups to achieve good mental health, wellness, education, spiritual growth, and career goals. The Lincoln Christian University Student Counseling and Consultation Center offers both counseling and preventive programs. These programs are designed to increase awareness and skills for managing and enhancing mental health and well-being.
Who can receive services?
All currently enrolled LCU students are welcome at the Student Counseling Center at no additional cost. Partners, spouses, and children of enrolled LCU students can be seen jointly with the LCU student. We are happy to assist with referrals for partners, spouses, and children who need to be seen individually. LCU counseling services are characterized by collegiality, compassion, and concern, as we value the dignity and worth of all people in a pluralistic society. The Student Counseling Center fosters and promotes awareness, empathy, and cultural competence within a multicultural environment. Psychological and career testing is available for a minimal cost based upon the number of assessment measures used.
Due to the fact that Master of Arts in Counseling faculty staff and supervise the counseling services, students who are currently enrolled in the MAC program, the Master of Arts with specialization in Pastoral Care and Counseling, or who have been provisionally admitted to either program from the undergraduate school for the purpose of taking MAC courses will be unable to utilize the on-campus counseling services for therapy services. These students are welcome to seek an initial assessment in the counseling center for referral to local mental health providers in compliance with the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics (ACA, 2014).
What if I am concerned about meeting with the counselor face-to-face during this pandemic?
Please contact our offices (ext. 2269 or by email) to discuss your concerns. We will discuss the available options with you and figure out an appropriate way to provide counseling services.
Who can access my counseling records?
All counseling services comply with Illinois state law, as well as American Counseling Association Ethics Code and Standards (2014). LCU Student Counseling Center staff members follow Illinois state law in regards to confidentiality. Apart from federal and state laws concerning reporting procedures, no one outside of the counseling and supervisory team will have access to your information without your signed consent. To protect the confidentiality of our clients, any file belonging to a current or former MAC or MAPCC student will be sealed off from general counselor access and will be available only to the providing counselor, the primary supervisor of that counselor, the system administrator(s), and the faculty coordinator of the counseling services.
What kinds of concerns can I bring to the Student Counseling Center?
The LCU Student Counseling Center provides confidential counseling services for many mental health and college adjustment concerns including:
- Academic Concerns
- College Adjustment Difficulties
- Relationship Concerns
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Trauma Recovery
- Eating Concerns
- Grief
- Career Exploration
- Substance Use and Addiction
- Behavioral Addictions
- Premarital Counseling
- Marital Counseling
- Veteran’s Concerns
- Sexuality Concerns
- Other mental health, developmental, and individual concerns
What happens when I contact the Student Counseling Center?
When you contact the LCU Student Counseling Center seeking services, a staff member will respond to you during the center’s office hours (Monday through Friday) to schedule your first appointment.
You will be scheduled to see a staff member for an information gathering appointment about your concerns and to determine which mode of service and/or clinician is the best fit for your situation.