Student Counseling

Services Offered include (but not limited to):

Assessment/Counseling: 

The Dahlonega, Gainesville, Oconee and Cumming campuses provide counseling and referral to students who experience problems with their use of alcohol and other drugs (including prescription drugs, nicotine, caffeine, and others). Counselors can also help students who are struggling with other compulsive or addictive behaviors or substances (including pornography and eating disorders). Prime for Life services are available for students mandated for alcohol and drug assessments and classes (Call individual campuses for scheduling of these classes.).

Issues That Often Bring Students to Counseling:

Confidentiality and Limits to Confidentiality: In accordance with law, what a client discusses with his or her therapist is kept strictly confidential unless the client provides written permission to release information to other parties. However, there are limited exceptions where information can be legally and ethically released without the client’s consent or authorization.

The exceptions include:

(1) If the client presents as an imminent threat or danger to himself or herself, his or her therapist is permitted to release information necessary for the purpose of his or her protection (such as contacting family members, emergency contacts, the police, University officials, and/or seeking hospitalization);

(2) Where an imminent threat of physical violence or harm exists, the therapist may take action which may include notifying the potential victim(s), the police, University officials, family members, emergency contacts, or seeking hospitalization;

(3) Where abuse or neglect of children (persons who are currently under the age of 18), the elderly (age 65 or older), or disabled/incompetent individuals is known or reasonably suspected, the therapist must file a report with the appropriate state agency;

(4) In court proceedings, a judge may require through a court order the release of the records and/or the therapist’s testimony.

(5) In the event the client or a legal representative of the client files a lawsuit against the UNG Student Counseling Center or therapist, the client’s records and/or therapist’s testimony may be released to the involved parties; and may be used to defend the UNG Student Counseling Center or therapist.