FAQ for Students | Belmont University

How much does counseling cost?

All clinical services are free of charge.

Do I need an appointment?

In accordance with CDC guidelines and Belmont's policies, we are currently offering services through a confidential telehealth platform and have suspended our walk-in clinic for the time being.

You can now schedule your own consultation appointment(s) through the Health Portal found in mybelmont.

Instructions on how to make your consultation appointment can be found on our Getting Started page.

What should I do if I’m experiencing a mental health crisis?

During regular business hours, contact our office at 615-460-6856. For after-hours crisis support, please contact the Office of Campus Security at 615-460-6911.

National Suicide Hotline: 800-273-8255 or text START to 741741

For additional resources, check out our crisis support information.

Are services confidential?

Counseling records are not included in any of your other university records. All information about you, even acknowledgments of your visits, is confidential and cannot be released without your written permission except under specific circumstances outlined in our confidentiality policy.

How often may I be seen? Are there session limits?

BUCS does not have explicit session limits. BUCS uses a short-term solution focused therapy model for treatment. The amount of time a student may attend counseling is determined by the student in cooperation with their counselor. Together they assess the amount of treatment the student might need based on the situation. Some students feel their issue is resolved in a single session; another might wish to continue counseling for a longer period of time. If you are interested in ongoing long-term therapy, we can help you find the right fit in the community or check out our local resources here.

I'm feeling better, but I still have an appointment. What should I do?

You can cancel your appointment by logging into the Patient Portal in mybelmont and scrolling down to your upcoming appointments.

Services at BUCS are in high demand. If you are feeling better and do not believe you need to see your therapist, we request that you cancel your appointment within 24 hours. By canceling your appointment, you allow another student an opportunity to use that time.

Cancel by calling 615-460-6856 or emailing counseling@belmont.edu.

What do I do if I don’t feel like my therapist is a good match for me?

We strongly believe that a strong connection with your therapist is important. We encourage you to talk to your therapist about this directly, but we understand that can be uncomfortable. You can also contact the counseling office (615-460-6856 or counseling@belmont.edu) and request to see another provider.

I see a therapist off campus. Can I still see someone at BUCS?

Continuity of care is important, and we encourage you to share any of your concerns with your current provider; therefore, we do not recommend you seeing two providers. However, we are here if you find yourself in crisis, desire to join a group, or just have a question.

You can contact us via phone or email (615-460-6856 or counseling@belmont.edu) or you can find instructions on scheduling a consultation on our Get Started page.

Can BUCS prescribe medication?

BUCS does not have a psychiatrist on staff; therefore, we are not able to prescribe psychotropic medication. We are happy to assist you in finding an off-campus provider that can help you manage your medication.

You can contact us via phone or email (615-460-6856, counseling@belmont.edu) or you can find instructions on scheduling a consultation on our Get Started page.

Will my parents be notified that I attended counseling?

No, no one will be notified of your attendance unless you sign a release of information requesting that contact is made.

BUCS will only speak with parents if a student signs a Release of Information form. This is separate from any FERPA form housed at the university. An exception to this is when a student is at imminent risk of harm to self or others, and we must talk to an emergency contact in an effort to keep a student or others safe.

If a parent or concerned party calls to express concern or ask questions about their student, they can share their concerns with the staff. However, no student information will be released to the parent or concerned party without a written release from the student. BUCS staff can provide general guidance to them about how to best support students and how to access campus resources.

What can I do if I am worried about a friend?

We encourage students to consult with us if they are worried about a friend or roommate. BUCS staff can offer support and guidance on how to deal with a troubling situation.

You can contact us via phone or email (615-460-6856/counseling@belmont.edu) or you can find instructions on scheduling a consultation on our Get Started page.

Additionally, if you have concern a about a friend, you can file an anonymous report through the student concern system.

Is BUCS a Christian Counseling Center?

While all of the licensed clinicians at BUCS identify as Christian, we are not trained as Pastoral Counselors. We welcome all students regardless of faith background or belief, and we welcome conversations around faith in the therapy process.

If Pastoral Counseling is something that you are seeking, we have numerous university and community resources linked here under the Pastoral Care and Faith Development blue accordion box.

Does BUCS provide supporting documentation for emotional support animal requests?

BUCS does not provide supporting documentation for requests to have an emotional support animal. We can provide referrals to the community health providers who may be willing to provide this documentation. For more information you can contact us at 615-460-6856 or contact the Office of Accessibility Services at 615-460-6407.