Anyone who is a student at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center may utilize Counseling Services and the cost is part of your student fees. Medical residents are also eligible to utilize our services confidentially and free of cost due to an arrangement with the medical college.
There is a fee for certain psychological assessments.
Individual Counseling
In individual counseling, a student usually meets weekly with a counselor for fifty minutes to discuss academic, emotional, social, or other concerns. In the first appointment, students will complete some paperwork and then meet with their counselor. Students usually complete counseling in one to fifteen sessions. Many students struggle with long-standing emotional difficulties which require longer term counseling. In these instances, we will help the student get connected with a counselor in the community.
Couples Counseling
Couples counseling is offered for free if one member of the couple is a student.Couples counseling can be helpful for couples who may or may not be struggling in their relationship. It can help improve communication between partners, facilitate conflict resolution, improve problem-solving skills and help partners navigate developmental challenges and transitions.
Group Counseling
Group therapy has been shown to be highly effective for professional student populations. Group sessions can be as small as three or four people, but they are typically closer to six or eight. Groups are typically held once per week and may request or be recommended one during your intake at the student counseling center. Some of the empirical benefits of group therapy include: seeing other students coping and adapting; discussing your experiences with fellow students who are going through similar concerns; mutual sharing of strengths and insights; practicing new behaviors in a safe and conducive environment; gaining belonging, acceptance, and support; and finding strength to persevere and thrive in the face of stress.
For more information about Group Counseling, click here.
Psychological Assessment
OUHSC Student Counseling Services provides comprehensive psycho-educational assessment for students who suspect that they may have a learning disability or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. There is a fee for this service. The process is designed to not only diagnose a disability if it is present, but also to determine the nature of what is interfering with the student's success and to offer recommendations that would benefit the student. Frequently, students who are diagnosed with a disability are eligible for reasonable accommodations through Disability Resource Center.
Consulting and Guest Lecturing
Student Counseling Services staff periodically offer workshops focusing on topics such as stress and time management, test preparation & test anxiety, culture shock and adjustment issues, gambling, and alcohol and other drug abuse prevention. Staff members are available for consultation with student groups and organizations, residents, faculty, staff and academic departments. If you would like to consult or schedule a presentation, please contact us at counselors@ouhsc.edu or call us at 271-7336.
By law we cannot let anyone know that you have utilized our services unless under very specific circumstances detailed below & even in those situations, only the relevant information to the relevant individuals will be released. Circumstances in which we must release information include any of the following:
- If you are a danger to yourself or others
- If you talk about the abuse or neglect of a child or older adult
- If we get a Court Order, or
- If you give us written permission to release your records to a specified source.
HSC Student Counseling Services is located at:
G. Rainey Williams Pavilion, Suite 2410
920 Stanton L. Young Blvd
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. We also offer extended hours upon request if you need to meet earlier than 8am or after 5pm. This is generally no earlier than 7:30am and no later than 7pm. Please let us know your need when you request an intake and we will do our best to accommodate. We are closed on public holidays.
Please note, if the campus is closed due to inclement weather, Student Counseling Services is also closed. Please call the campus when operating hours resume to reschedule your appointment. We appreciate your patience.
If you are experiencing severe emotional distress during non-business hours, please use the following resources to get the help you need:
- Heartline, Inc. (405) 848-2273
- National Suicide Hotline (800) 273-8255
- Reach-Out Hotline (800) 522-9054
- YWCA Rape Crisis Helpline: (405) 943-7273
If you are experiencing distress due to interpersonal violence, sexual assault, sexual misconduct or stalking, please call OU Advocates at 405-615-0013, 24/7.
If you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or another person, you should immediately call:
- 911
- Campus police (405) 271-4911
If possible, go to the nearest emergency room and ask for the psychologist or psychiatrist on call:
- St. Anthony’s Hospital (405) 272-6055
- Deaconess Hospital (405) 604-6138
Join our Student Advisory Board!
The Student Advisory Board (SAB) is comprised of staff from Student Counseling Services (SCS) and students from the various colleges of OUHSC in OKC. The goal of the SAB is to provide an avenue for SCS to find out the needs of the students and for the students in turn, to be informed of services available to them. By having students represented from the various colleges, SCS can get a sense of what concerns are most pressing for the different colleges and how we can be most helpful.
The SAB is also expected to facilitate Student Counseling Services outreach efforts that are designed to increase awareness of a variety of issues such as Sexual Assault Awareness Week and De-Stress Fest.
The SAB meets each month on the noon hour and lunch is provided. Meetings last for one hour and at the end of the academic year, students are eligible for a small scholarship in return for their involvement and contribution to the organization.
To find out more about the SAB please email: counselors@ouhsc.edu or call us at 271-7336.