Counseling Services
Wingate's Office of Counseling Services provides confidential, free, short-term mental health treatment to currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students. Our counselors are licensed mental health professionals and supervised graduate student interns. In general, counselors do not give advice, but seek to help clients understand themselves and their situation more fully in order to more clearly see their options. Our counselors cannot guarantee specific results, however, counseling does benefit many people.
How We Can Help
There are many common issues that clients may discuss in counseling. And there are no right or wrong reasons to seek counseling. Reasons may include:
- Abuse or trauma
- Anxiety and stress
- Conflict management
- Depression
- Grief and loss
- Interpersonal relationships
- Transitioning to college
We offer support and brief counseling to students recovering from sexual assault or domestic violence. Counselors also perform crisis intervention.
Promoting Academic Success
Counselors can help you develop academic and study skills. We work with you to devise strategies for time management, test anxiety and motivation. We may also refer you to the Academic Resource Center or Disability Support Services.
Identifying Additional Resources
Counseling services are here to help students as best we can; however, it’s beyond our scope to provide long-term, intensive counseling or psychotherapy. We can’t provide ongoing counseling to students appearing to be a recurring high risk to themselves or the university community. We also do not offer treatment services for alcohol or drug abuse. Counselors can meet with students who have been diagnosed with serious psychiatric conditions or are struggling with substance abuse. The counselor provides support, assesses needs and refers the student to appropriate off-campus resources. Counselors can’t prescribe or monitor medication. Students with questions about medication can request a referral to the Health Center or an off-campus physician.
Confidentiality
We value your privacy. What you reveal in counseling during your sessions with your counselor at Wingate University stays confidential. But there are a few, crucial exceptions. Information you share will not be released without your permission, except:
- In your counselor’s opinion, you present direct and foreseeable harm to yourself or others.
- We are ordered by a court of law to release information.
- You disclose actual or possible child abuse/neglect or elder abuse/neglect.
Further exceptions may apply if:
- You are 17 years old or younger.
Counseling FAQs
- Are psychiatric services available?
- How long and how often are the counseling sessions?
- How do I make an appointment?
- Where are counseling offices located?
- How long does it take to get an appointment?
- What if I’m concerned for another student?
- What if I’m having a crisis after you’ve closed?
- Who is eligible for counseling and how much does it cost?
- Who will find out what I discuss in my counseling sessions?
- Why should I talk to a stranger about my problems?
Are psychiatric services available?
How long and how often are the counseling sessions?
How do I make an appointment?
The best way to schedule an appointment is to email counseling@wingate.edu w
Where are counseling offices located?
How long does it take to get an appointment?
What if I’m concerned for another student?
Many resources are available if you have a friend or classmate in crisis.
What if I’m having a crisis after you’ve closed?
Who is eligible for counseling and how much does it cost?
Who will find out what I discuss in my counseling sessions?
Why should I talk to a stranger about my problems?
Health Information Rights
Do you know what the HIPAA Privacy Rule means to you? Here’s what you should know.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) governs the confidentiality of your medical information. Your health records belong to you and are private, but we are legally required to share information in certain situations.
At Wingate University, we respect your confidentiality, and we want you to understand how HIPAA works.
Medical Records Track Your Treatment
Every time you visit the Wingate University Health Center or Office of Counseling Services, we make a record. We note why you came in, exam and lab results, diagnoses, treatment and, when appropriate, follow-up plans. These records help us make informed decisions about your treatment.
Who Can Access Your Records
We do not use or disclose your health information without written consent except in specific cases.
We are legally required to provide information to public health authorities under certain circumstances. We must also share your records with law enforcement if ordered by a court or a subpoena. If we believe you or someone else is in immediate danger, we are obligated to report it.
Your insurance company may request confirmation of services before they agree to pay. We also share your medical records with other professionals involved in your care when it is necessary for your specific healthcare needs.
Under the HIPAA privacy rule, we cannot communicate with your family and other loved ones about your health without your written consent.
How You Can Use Your Records
Your health records belong to you. You have the right to see them at any time. You can review the information, make updates and/or corrections and receive your own copy. You may also request a record of who has accessed your information. If you have more questions, please don’t hesitate to ask us.
Our clients are encouraged to guide their own treatment and to be active participants in reaching their goals.
Location and Hours
Dickson-Palmer Center
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In case of an emergency, call 911 or any of the following hotlines listed below:
Emergency
Ambulance, Fire and Police: 911
Campus Safety: 704-233-8999
CMC-Union Hospital: 704-283-3100
Residence Life After Hours: 704-233-8000
Wingate University Counseling Office: 704-233- 8979
Domestic Violence
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE or 800-799-7233
LGBT Concerns
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Questioning Youth Hotline: 866-4-U-TREVOR or 866-488-7386
Poison
Carolinas Poison Center: 1-800-222-1222
Self-Injury
Cutting/Self-injury Hotline: 800-DON’T-CUT or 800-366-8288
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-TALK
Sexual Assault
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673)
Title IX Coordinator (sexual misconduct): 704-233-8247
Turning Point Hotline: 704-283-7233
Union County Rape Crisis Hotline: 704-283-7770