TRUMAN STATE UNIVERSITY (660)785-4014
University Counseling Services

General Questions about University Counseling Services

The following information has been compiled for students or concerned others who are interested in learning more about University Counseling Services (UCS). Below are common questions that we have received from students or concerned others inquiring about counseling. Some of these may not be relevant or of interest to you but we wanted to provide you with as much information as possible to make you more comfortable with UCS and counseling.

  1. Who can use University Counseling Services?
  2. Who are the people working at UCS?
  3. How do I set up an appointment?
  4. Where may I park when I arrive for my appointment?
  5. What if I need help after regular hours?
  6. Can I bring a friend to my appointment?
  7. What rights do I have at UCS?
  8. What are my responsibilities at UCS?
  9. What’s the difference between counseling & academic advising?

Who can use University Counseling Services?

Counseling services are available at UCS for all currently enrolled Truman students. Couples counseling is available as long as one member of the relationship is a currently enrolled Truman student. UCS also offers consultation for concerned others including friends, family, faculty and staff. Counselors at UCS are available to provide outreach presentations for members of the Truman and Kirksville communities. See find out more about our outreach click here: Outreach Programs

Back to Top

Who are the people working at UCS?

Ann, the UCS secretary, will most likely be the first contact a student, faculty or staff member In addition to all her secretarial duties Ann schedules appointments, and greets visitors to UCS. All of the counselors at UCS have had extensive training in counseling and are professionally dedicated to working with college students. Each counselor at UCS is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Missouri. For more information about our staff please see our staff pages. Staff

Back to Top

How do I set up an appointment?

If you would like to schedule an appointment at UCS you may either stop by at 202 E. Patterson St. (just west of Grim Hall) or you may call at 660-785-4014. Due to the non-secure nature of e-mail, the confidentiality of such communications cannot be ensured and UCS discourages you from using email to share personal information or set up initial appointments. Also, please note that the staff at UCS does not maintain 24-hour access to e-mail accounts.

In the event of a crisis after regular hours please do not use email, instead contact Police Dispatch at 660-665-5621 and ask to speak with the Truman on call counselor. In the event of a medical or safety emergency please call 911.

Back to Top

Where may I park when I arrive for my appointment?

UCS does not have a designated parking lot for students seeking counseling services. There are two red & blue lots located to the west of UCS across Franklin St. and one green and blue lot located west of UCS across Franklin St. For a color coded map of Truman State University parking please see Parking Map, note that UCS is building number 28 on this map. UCS does have a bike rack in front of the building available for student use.

Back to Top

What if I need help after regular hours?

UCS is open from 8-11:30 am and 1-5 pm Monday through Friday. If you require assistance outside of these times you may contact Police Dispatch at 660-665-5621 and ask to speak to the Truman on call counselor. The counselor will call you back as quickly as possible.

Back to Top

Can I bring a friend to my appointment?

It is often uncomfortable to meet with a counselor for the first time and bringing a friend may be one way to ease this discomfort. UCS does allow students to bring a friend to their first appointment. It will be up to the student whether or not this friend simply accompanies them to the waiting room or attends the appointment with them. While this practice is allowed, it is discouraged because UCS can no longer guarantee confidentiality once a third party is included in sessions.

Back to Top

What rights do I have at UCS?

You have the right to have knowledge of UCS staff qualifications and training; to be fully informed regarding the conditions under which services will be provided to you; to an explanation of any procedure or form of counseling used in your treatment; to end counseling at anytime; to request a change to a different counselor at UCS; to review your file with your counselor, the Assistant Director or Director of UCS and/or to have summaries of your file released to other professionals at your written request; to request a copy of the ethical codes that govern UCS’ practice; and to express concerns and/or complain to the Director of UCS, the Dean of Student Affairs and/or file formal complaints with any pertinent professional and/or legal bodies.

Back to Top

What are my responsibilities at UCS?

We ask that you notify UCS if you are unable to keep a scheduled appointment and note that if you miss an appointment and do not contact us within two business days we will assume you’re no longer interested in continuing counseling at UCS. We also ask that you inform us if you are no longer interested in continuing counseling at UCS. It is your right to end services at any time but “dropping out” without notification is inconvenient for UCS and may delay our abilities to provide services for other students. You are also responsible for arriving on time to your appointments at UCS, if you are more than 10 minutes late for an appointment you may be required to reschedule that appointment. Finally, you are responsible for being an active part of the counseling process and working to fully participate in your communications with your counselor.

Back to Top

What’s the difference between counseling & academic advising?

Personal counseling focuses on emotional concerns, problems in adjusting, and other factors that may affect your ability to achieve your academic or personal goals. Although personal counseling may focus on factors that affect your academic performance, academic advising focuses on academic planning and curricular development as well as helping you to schedule courses and navigate various administrative processes in order for you to successfully complete your degree requirements and graduate.

Back to Top