At the UCF Counseling Center we aim to see students in a timely manner. However, when the demand for services is high, there may be a longer wait to see a counselor. In addition to or instead of waiting for an individual counseling appointing at the UCF Counseling Center, you may want to consider the following alternative options:

The Counseling Center maintains a list of private practitioners in the community. Click on the following: Counseling in the Community or Full Referral Guide

Crisis Services for UCF Students  

Although services are scheduled on an appointment basis at the Counseling Center, students who are suffering from a psychological or emotional crisis often require immediate help or same-day intervention. This is certainly the case when there are serious suicidal or homicidal thoughts or impulses, when there has been a physical or sexual assault, when a person is hearing voices, otherwise misperceiving reality, or when there has been an overwhelming loss, such as a death in the family.

The Counseling Center provides crisis intervention services during the hours of 8:00am to 4:00pm (Monday through Friday). To be seen for an emergency appointment, call our office (407-823-2811) or simply walk into the center. Be sure to inform the receptionist that you are experiencing a crisis, and we will make every effort to respond to your situation as quickly as possible.

For psychological emergencies in the evening or on weekends, there are several options:

• Lifeline of Central Florida (407-425-2624) is a 24-hour crisis hotline service available to students. Counselors who staff the hotline will help you manage a crisis situation.
• Sexual Trauma Recovery Center (407-843-HELP/ 4357) is a 24-hour crisis hotline for victims of sexual assault.
• Lakeside Alternatives (407-875-3700), a public psychiatric hospital located in Orange County, is available to students requiring inpatient hospitalization.
• UCF Victim Services (407-823-2425) OR 407-823-5555 (after hours) provides on campus crisis support, victim advocacy, and education for individuals experiencing any form of victimization. Visit the website for Victim Services for more information at http://www.victimservices.ucf.edu/ .
• National Hopeline Network (1-800- Suicide/ 1-800-784-2433) is a 24 hrs service that forwards your call to the nearest crisis hotline in your area determined from the your phones area code.

Behavioral Support and Prevention Website: http://www.ulifeline.org

If you are concerned about a student who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, has taken an overdose of medication, or may be in need of IMMEDIATE medical attention, one or more of the following numbers should be contacted before OR instead of the Counseling Center:

• Police or Ambulance Service 911
• UCF Police Department 823-5555
• UCF Student Health Services 823-2817
• Florida Poison Information Center 800-282-3171
• Florida Hospital East Orlando (Emergency Department) 275-5150

Other Agencies in the Community

The following community agencies offer sliding scale fees for individual counseling:

Catholic Counseling Center (A program of Catholic Charities)
1771 North Semoran Blvd., Orlando, 407-658-1818
Individual, couples, marital, and family counseling. Catholic Charities also offers services related to adoption, pregnancy, financial assistance, and immigration/refugee issues.

Center for Growth and Development at Jewish Family Services
2100 Lee Road, Winter Park, 407-644-7593 Ext. 231
Non-denominational counseling for individuals, couples, families, and children.

Church Street Counseling Center
First Presbyterian Church, 106 E Church Street, Orlando, 407-423-2388, www.fpco.org.
Individual, couples, and family counseling. Bilingual staff.

Green House Family Counseling Center
3535 Lawton Rd. #260, Orlando, 407-895-5800
Services include outpatient counseling in home and in office, individuals, couples, and families.

The Grove Counseling Center
Altamonte Outpatient Services: 1088 East Altamonte Springs Dr., Altamonte Springs
Sanford Outpatient Services: 1550 South French Ave., Sanford
407-327-1765 or 800-919-1765 www.thegrove.org
Outpatient services for adults include individual, groups, and family counseling. The Center is primarily focused on treating alcohol and other drug abuse issues.

The Healing Tree
Sexual Trauma Recovery Center, 601 W. Michigan Street, Orlando,
407-317-7430
Areas of Specialty: sexual assault, incest, sexual abuse, rape, of children.

Groups and Workshops
Several therapy groups and psychoeducational workshops are offered each semester at the Counseling Center. See the current groups and workshop brochure or visit our website at www.counseling.sdes.ucf.edu/Groups/groups.html

UCF Wellness Center
The UCF Wellness Center offers biofeedback, nutrition services, mediation classes, fitness services, massage therapists and stress management workshops. Call 407-823-5841.

Self Help On Line
Visit the Counseling Center’s website for links to information on a variety of mental health topics and issues. www.counseling.sdes.ucf.edu/selfhelp.html

Bibliotherapy
Visit your local books store for readings on mental health issues. See the Counseling Center’s website for suggestions. www.counseling.sdes.ucf.edu/shbooks.html