Counseling FAQs
What hours are the Health and Counseling Center open?
The Health and Counseling Center is open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. We are closed for lunch from 12pm-1pm.
Do I have to pay for counseling?
No. Counseling services are free of charge for students.
Can the Health and Counseling Center prescribe psychiatric medications?
Yes, the Health and Counseling Center has a Mental Health Prescriber who can prescribe psychiatric medication. You would first meet with a prescribing clinician for a medication evaluation to see if medications are the right option for you.
What happens during my first appointment?
Your counselor will talk with you about what is bringing you in and will have some general questions about your background. There are some standard questions we ask everyone and the majority of the session will be spent talking about what has been going on for you lately and what has been troubling you.
What do I do if something has come up and I need to be seen by a counselor that day?
Walk-in appointments are available during our normal business hours of 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday. These appointments are brief and pragmatic. They involve identifying the problem and determining how can it be managed most effectively, with a focus on immediate support and coping.
What happens if I have a mental health crisis when the Health and Counseling Center is closed?
For urgent after hours needs, please call the Reed After Hours Crisis Line at 866-432-1224. For emergency assistance, please call 911.
Is the Health and Counseling Center open during the break? What if I need a refill for my prescription?
Counseling services are not available during the long winter and summer breaks when the dorms are closed. However, we are open for walk-in appointments between 10am and 2pm during the fall and spring breaks.
How can I obtain mental health services off campus?
If you would prefer to obtain services off campus, you are welcome to get information about referrals from the Health and Counseling Center. We maintain an up-to-date list of private practitioners in the community who are able to work with Reed students, many of whom have particular specialty areas of practice and who accept the Reed Student Health Insurance.
Does the Health and Counseling Center provide psychological testing services?
The Health and Counseling Center does not provide psychological testing services currently but we are able to refer students to providers in the community. Testing for learning disabilities is covered by the Pacific Source student insurance and there are low-cost options available in the community as well.
What should I do if I’m worried about the mental health of a friend?
It can be hard to have a friend who is having problems and not be sure how to help. You can always encourage your friend to make an appointment at the Health and Counseling Center. However, you can’t force a friend who is refusing assistance or support to seek help. You can try to offer friendly support by
- Letting your friend know, in a private setting, that you are worried about them
- Offering to accompany your friend to an appointment at the Health and Counseling Center
- Talking to your HA about your concerns
You can also make an appointment for yourself at the Health and Counseling Center to speak confidentially about your friend and receive support. However, if you are concerned about an immediate risk to the safety of a friend, please contact Community Safety at 503-771-1112 or dial 911.
What about confidentiality?
Confidentiality is an issue that we take very seriously. The Health and Counseling Center, the ethical principles that guide our counseling professionals, and Oregon law are all in agreement about the importance of the confidential interactions between you and your counselor. Your counselor and/or psychiatric provider will not speak about you to your parents, your friends, your professors, or anyone else without your explicit written permission. Your confidentiality is so protected that we will not even indicate whether you have been seen in the Health and Counseling Center. However, in rare and serious situations we may be legally and ethically mandated to break confidentiality. If there is a risk of serious harm or death to you or someone else, or if a court orders information to be provided, then we may need to break confidentiality. For more information, see our Confidentiality page.
Where can I find more information about maintaining my emotional health?
An excellent resource for students is a website called , with information about how to maintain emotional health through the transition to college and beyond.