As university students navigate academic pressures, social challenges and personal growth, the need for accessible mental health services has never been greater. The University of Alabama’s Counseling Center is committed to meeting this need, understanding that providing support is not only important for students’ well-being but also for their success in college (and after). Meeting students where they are is a key aspect of this process, and one way they are addressing this is by embedding therapists throughout campus.
“Some of the biggest barriers we’ve been seeing, and I think are true anywhere, is trying to get over that hump of how to access [care] and their awareness of services. Being able to target specific groups of students and have multiple areas on campus where counselors are present… we thought would be good to build awareness and increase ease of access,” said Dr. Greg Vander Wal, licensed psychologist and executive director of the Counseling Center and Collegiate Recovery and Intervention Services at UA.
There are six colleges/departments on campus that house embedded therapists: the College of Engineering, Culverhouse College of Business, College of Communication and Information Sciences, College of Human Environmental Sciences, Honors College and Housing and Residential Communities. Each therapist offers a range of services, including same-day appointments, individual therapy, presentations and workshops.
A key benefit of having an embedded therapist at a specific college is the opportunity for them to understand and address the unique stressors their students face. For instance, students in the College of Communication and Information Sciences may experience anxiety about writing reports or appearing on camera for the first time. Elizabeth Shahid, the embedded therapist for this college, explains that by familiarizing herself with students’ coursework, she can tailor her support to address these challenges, along with other areas of expertise she offers.
“People may be nervous about specific things that are going on in their college that I can be aware of and address a little bit differently if I know about them or if I am more familiar with how their classes are set up and what is going on in the college,” she said.
It is no secret that being a student can be challenging. Students may struggle being away from home and not feeling connected to campus. Embedded therapists are here to help with this transition. Whether you need to talk about something happening in that moment or you are looking for consistent care, they are here for you. Shelia Calhoun, the embedded therapist for the College of Human Environmental Services, has an open-door policy.
“If the door is open, you can walk in. It’s hard to navigate being a student. You come here and you don’t know what to expect… and sometimes things don’t work out the way you expect them to. Sometimes you just need to vent, and so we have same-day consults… and if you have an underlying issue, we can talk about that and walk through it together,” she said.
When you come to college, new opportunities are not just appearing in the classroom and in your social circle. You are living in a completely different environment! If you live on campus, Mary Smith, the embedded therapist for Housing and Residential Communities is available to help you settle into the college environment and make it feel more like home.
“The majority of students I’ve been seeing are working on adjustment which is perfectly understandable and normal…. The unique thing is there’s not really a playbook. Everyone has their own path… It’s important to keep an open mind,” she said.
We understand that counseling can be scary, though. It may be intimidating, and you may not know what to expect. Being able to speak to a counselor in a space where you feel comfortable is important. Haley French, the embedded therapist for the Honors College reminds us that there is no issue “too small” for therapy. It is a space for anyone who needs it.
“I think therapy is beneficial and healthy for anybody… I would really encourage students that they deserve to be heard…Therapy is a very vulnerable process. It’s really scary for some people to admit that they need a little bit of help. I think just taking that risk for yourself and stepping into that courage is part of that work. Take advantage of it right now if you need it, if you want it, if you’ve been thinking about it. You’ve got plenty of people at UA that want to help you. I’ll be here if you need me,” she said.
If you are interested in meeting with an embedded therapist, please call the Counseling Center at 205-348-3863 to set up an appointment. UA’s embedded therapists also offer same-day appointments.
Embedded therapists on campus:
Honors College: Located at 383 Honors Hall, Embedded Therapist: Haley French
Communication and Information Sciences: Located at 192 Reese Phifer Hall, Embedded Therapist: Elizabeth Shahid
Human Environmental Sciences: Located at 206C Doster Hall, Embedded Therapist: Shelia Calhoun
Housing and Residential Communities: Located at 106C Mary Burke West, Embedded Therapist: Mary Smith
Culverhouse College of Business: Located at 10 Bidgood Hall
College of Engineering: Vacant