WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Emotional well being is essential to personal development and integral to the creative process. Counseling provides a space to address issues that may be interfering with your work. Seeing a counselor helps you respond to the situation before it escalates. Some common issues are:
• Adjusting to RISD
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Relationship Difficulties
• Drug and Alcohol Use
• Eating Concerns
• Sexuality
• Homesickness
• Family Issues
• Grief and Loss
• Decision Making
Counseling is available at no charge to students. Some students seek consultation – one or two visits to address immediate problems. Short-term therapy is available to help you work through issues. If longer term therapy is desired, or if the assistance you need is not available at RISD, the counselor can provide referrals to resources in the area. If you need medication or are on medication, we can provide referrals to practitioners nearby.
Counseling Services is open from 8.30AM – 4.30PM Monday through Friday. To schedule an appointment you can drop in or call 454.6637.
Emergency situations
If there is an emergency during non-office hours, please contact Public Safety at 277.4848; the officer on duty will then notify the appropriate RISD Staff member. Situations considered emergencies include, but are not limited to: suicidal thoughts, acute emotional distress, thoughts of harming another person, sexual assault, when you need to talk to someone and it can’t wait until the office is open.
Confidentiality
All meetings are strictly confidential. Counseling sessions are not part of your academic record or medical file. The only exceptions are in case of life threatening emergencies, or when you have consented.
New students
If you have received psychiatric treatment in the past or are currently on medication for a psychiatric issue, please inform us of your history. You may not need counseling services right away, or at any time during your years at RISD – but if you do, we are here as part of a supportive network to assist you in your personal development and college career.
Contact Us at counserv@risd.edu.
