Services

To support students in their growth and development during their time here at UCSF, we offer a variety of counseling and psychological services, including:

Individual Short-term Counseling and Therapy

We offer individual counseling and therapy based on a brief therapy model (maximum of 10 counseling sessions per academic year) to address the concerns of our students. In individual counseling and therapy, a student meets one-on-one with a therapist, usually in fifty-minute sessions. Such a working relationship may last for only one session or may continue for longer, depending on the needs of the student.

Couples Short-term Counseling and Therapy

Our couples counseling services are designed to assist couples with their relationship concerns. It can be used to gain more insight into each other, to learn new and more effective ways of communication, and to learn how to solve problems in the relationship. Couples counseling sessions are included in the maximum of 10 counseling session per academic year.

Medication Evaluation/Management Services

We offer psychiatric evaluation/ consultation to determine the appropriateness of taking medication. Our psychiatrists also provide medication management as appropriate.

Workshops and Outreach Programs

We provide presentations, skills-based workshops and supportive discussion groups to promote psychological health and wellness for graduate and professional students as they move through their degree programs. For a list of current outreach programs, please see Wellness Programs & Workshops.

Consultation

Consultation is available for concerned students, faculty and staff. Our staff is available to help you find ways of addressing your concerns about students who may be distressed or engaging in distressing behavior. For guidance when helping a student who appears to be in crisis, call SHCS at 415-476-1281 or see our Assisting a Student in Need or Caring for Yourself and Your Colleagues brochures.

Referrals

We make appropriate referrals for those students who will be better helped by other practitioners, specialists, departments and facilities, in addressing their concerns. Our therapists assist students in connecting to other professionals and resources both on and off campus.

Confidentiality is the cornerstone of counseling and psychological services. You have a right to privacy and your written permission must be obtained before we will release information to anyone outside of our clinic, with only limited legal and ethical exceptions. We want you to be aware that counseling records are maintained separately from any other records of the University – including academic, educational and job placement records. If you have questions or concerns about confidentiality, we encourage you to discuss them with our staff.