Counseling and Mental Health Center
SSB 5th Floor
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
As physicians specializing in mental health treatment, CMHC psychiatrists offer the following services:
Psychiatric evaluations
Prescribing of medications and medication management
Coordination of care with other professionals
Comprehensive treatment planning
For some, counseling (done by CMHC counselors) and medication monitoring (done by CMHC psychiatrists) provide a complete and comprehensive system of treatment all under the same roof. Sometimes a student's concern requires care that is beyond that which we can provide at CMHC. If this occurs, we will work with you to establish care off campus.
If you have never taken psychiatric medication, but think that it might be helpful
CMHC has developed a set of FAQs called, "Considering Medication for Depression?" that addresses many of the common questions asked by students who are considering this option for the first time.
If you are considering medication to help you with your concerns, CMHC is here to help. The first step in this process is to call CMHC at (512) 471-3515 to schedule an initial consultation with one of our counselors.
The counselor can talk with you about your current concerns and the variety of treatment possibilities that might be helpful to you, including the possibility of a referral to a physician to explore medication options.
If you are currently seeing a CMHC counselor and you want to consider medication as an option in your next appointment, please discuss this with your counselor.
If you are currently receiving counseling outside of CMHC, please discuss referral options with your counselor of record. This is the professional who best knows your current needs.
If you currently take psychiatric medication and are interested in transferring your care to a physician at UT
More and more, students who attend the university are already being treated with medications. Often, it can be helpful for you to continue your relationship with your current prescribing medical provider, because the provider already has a treatment relationship with you.
However, it might be necessary to consider transferring your care to a UT medical provider, and we would like to assist you with this when appropriate.
Preparation necessary to transfer care to UT
Begin the process early in the semester: If you need a transfer of care because you don't have the ability to have contact with the physician who currently prescribes your medication, you are strongly encouraged to begin this process as early in the semester as possible. A transfer of care to a new physician can be a lengthy process.
Avoid waiting until you are almost out of your medication: Students who wait until they are nearly out of their medication to embark upon the process of transferring their care often have to seek additional refills from the physician who currently prescribes for them.
Call the Nurse Advice Line at 475-6877 to start the process: Even though you may be doing well on medications at present, we need to get to know you and your mental health needs before we can assume responsibility for prescribing and/or monitoring your medication. This process starts by calling the University Health Services Nurse Advice Line at 475-6877. You will complete a brief telephone screening, and will then be instructed about what steps to take next.
Transferring care to CMHC
The process takes 3 to 4 weeks. The CMHC appointment is typically scheduled to take place 3-4 weeks from when you call, to allow sufficient time to obtain your treatment records from your previous physician(s) and/or therapist(s). CMHC will mail or fax this request promptly after you sign a release of information form, but it may take a few weeks for us to obtain the records as this depends on the response of your former physician.
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What you can do if you run out of medication before your appointment
If you will run out of your medication before your scheduled appointment with a UT physician, call your former physician to ask for a prescription (preferably a 4 week supply) to be phoned to a pharmacy in Austin. Your physician is familiar with your care and your needs and is in the best position to supply you with medication in this interim period.
You may choose to have your medication filled at the University Health Services pharmacy. The phone number for the UHS Pharmacy is (512) 471-1824.
If you are taking medication that cannot be called in to a local pharmacy, mailing you a prescription may be an option. A four-week supply, in most cases, should be adequate to allow time to obtain records about previous treatment, complete the evaluation process, and provide recommendations.
If you used to take psychiatric medication, but don't currently, and think that it might be helpful to start again
It is not uncommon for students who once took psychiatric medications to consider taking them again.
If you are not currently in counseling, please call CMHC to schedule an initial consultation.
If you are currently receiving services at CMHC, please discuss this issue with your counselor, who can help facilitate a referral to a physician if appropriate.
If you are currently in counseling outside of CMHC, please work with your counselor to get a referral either to a UT physcian or an off-campus physician to evaluate your medication needs.
What to expect when you meet with the psychiatrist
Courteous and professional treatment: You will be treated courteously and professionally. Our psychiatrists are trained to be sensitive to the personal issues that students discuss. As with all of the appointments at CMHC, the information you discuss is confidential to the extent permitted by law.
Psychiatric evaluation: Your first visit with the psychiatrist is usually an evaluation, which focuses on why you were referred. The evaluation takes about an hour and entails a series of questions designed to get to know you, your history, and the symptoms that you are currently experiencing. In most cases, treatment recommendations will be discussed with you. The psychiatrist will determine if your needs are within the scope of our services. If your needs are beyond the scope of our services, you will be referred to an off-campus psychiatrist and/or other mental health professionals.
Follow-up appointments for medication monitoring: If medication has been prescribed, your psychiatrist will want you to schedule a follow-up appointment to assess the effectiveness of your treatment.
Recommendation for combination of services: Although some people do well with medication alone, many people benefit from a combination of counseling (group and/or individual) and medication. Your CMHC psychiatrist may recommend that you work with a counselor in conjunction with medication treatment.
Why are some students referred to off-campus providers for psychiatric care?
CMHC serves the entire student population, but there are limitations on the availability of services. Our intake and screening systems are designed to determine if a student's needs match what we are able to provide. When a student has an urgent or serious condition, we will help the student obtain appropriate treatment, which may include referral to an off-campus mental health clinician or facility.
