Counseling & Testing

COVID-19 Update
09/15/2020

Our operational status

All in-person services have been suspended. Clinical staff will be available for telephone consultations during regular business hours.

For more information: UWL's COVID-19 info hub

Counseling and Testing Center Public Health Update
In an effort to keep students, employees, and community members safe, our counseling and academic skills services are being provided via phone and video conferencing only at this time.  

Please contact us by phone at 608-785-8073 for   

Urgent care: We continue to provide Urgent Care services through telehealth for students experiencing a mental health crisis.  An Urgent Care counselor is available between the hours of 2:00 and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.  Please call 608-785-8073 for more information.    

If you are experiencing a life-threatening mental health crisis please call 911.  

If you are experiencing a non-life threatening mental health crisis please call 608-785-8073 during business hours or La Crosse County Mobile Crisis at 608-784-HELP (4357) for 24/7 support.  

For students looking to start counseling: Please call 608-785-8073 and request to set up an initial phone consultation with one of our clinicians.  If you would like more information about finding mental health services while you are away from La Crosse, please see Referrals.  

For students who have already seen a counselor at the CTC:  You can use MyHealth to send a secure message directly to your primary counselor if you have questions about our services or would like to schedule an appointment.  Our services are being provided through phone and video contact only at this time.  

For students looking for online resources (coping skills, managing isolation, etc.): Check out our Self-Help Resources page. COVID-specific resources are included!  

If you have any testing-related questions, please visit our Testing page or contact Criss Gilbert at cgilbert@uwlax.edu. 

UPDATED: 09/14/2020 

2106 Centennial Hall
Phone: 608.785.8073   

After Hours Contacts expanding section

After Hours Contacts:

Counseling and Academic Services expanding section

We offer confidential counseling and academic skill building services to currently enrolled UWL and Western students. To get started, call or stop in to make an appointment. Read below for information on ADHD Assessments.

YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT

  • At your first appointment (20-50 minutes depending on the type of appointment) of the academic year, we will ask you to review and complete forms.  These forms must be completed before meeting with the counselor, will help us understand your concerns, and help you understand the counseling process.
  • The counselor at this appointment will discuss your situation and determine what counseling or academic skill building service(s) could be most helpful.  Continued services include individual and group options.

CANCEL OR RESCHEDULE

  • To cancel or reschedule an appointment, just call or stop in at least 24 hours before your appointment.   You can also review or cancel an appointment at our confidential and secure UWL MyHealth web portal.

REASONS WHY STUDENTS SEEK . . .  

  • Personal Counseling:  to get help with resolving conflicts, solving problems, handling crisis situations, making decisions, understanding self, understanding others, and developing better coping skills.  They also come in to address concerns about their own or a friend's alcohol or drug use, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and so much more.
  • Academic Skill Building: for assistance with note taking, studying, test preparation, managing test anxiety, test taking skills, vocabulary. Check out our Academic Skill Building page. 

ADHD ASSESSMENTS

Our ADHD assessment process is currently on hold, and we are not sure when or if we will be offering formal assessments again. Please consider these other options in the meantime:

  1. Disrupted attention can have many interrelated causes.  Some students experience concentration problems related to (or worsened by) mental health concerns like anxiety or depression.  Some find that changes to their health and wellness habits help their symptoms.  You could explore counseling with one of our mental health providers at CTC to discuss symptoms you are having, and perhaps ways of managing or treating those through behavioral means.  Our initial visit is called a Triage, and is a short visit with a counselor to explore your presenting problems and make recommendations for further care.   Please contact our front desk (in person in 2106 Centennial, or by phone 608 785 8073) to request this appointment. 
  2. If you are interested in exploring what is available in the community in terms of assessment (either here in La Crosse, or perhaps what is covered by insurance in your hometown-if not La Crosse), you could meet with our Case Manager, Tara Farmer.  She is skilled in helping students navigate their insurance options.  You can schedule one of these visits by stopping by or calling to request a Referral Visit with Tara.  Please bring your insurance card, or front/back photos of a card, to that visit.
  3. Please contact us if you have any further questions.
Introduction: How to get started Urgent Care: If you're in crisis ..
Testing Services expanding section