Welcome from Health and Counseling services

Welcome new and returning USM students, staff and faculty! We hope you had a healthy and safe summer and are ready to launch into another season of learning. With that in mind, we wanted to make you all aware of what Health & Counseling Services, an integrated program that promotes wellness for both mind and body, has to offer our students. Here are some common questions students ask us:

Health Services

Where is health services, how do I pay, and when are they open?

• The health center is located at 156 Upton Hall in Gorham (with Counseling), and is open to students for routine health visits. Our Portland Health Center site in Sullivan gym is open three days a week, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Gorham UHCS is Open daily Monday through Friday. Phone: 207780-5411. Fax: 207-780-4911. For afterhours emergencies, dial 911. For more information, including our hours, go to www.usm.maine.edu/uhcs

• Health bills most insurance companies. Lab, imaging and ancillary testing are billed separately by the outside provider. Uninsured students can access a sliding fee scale and will not be denied services. Who are the staff at health services and what services do they provide?

• Our staff is comprised of nurse practitioners, a physician consultant, administrative support team members, and interns

Comprehensive primary care services including but not limited to:

• Acute care (sick visits)

• Physical exams & sports physicals

• Chronic illness management

• Contraceptive services

• STI & HIV testing

• Immunizations / Flu Shots

• Medications

• Lab services

• Travel consultations

• Self-care guidance/advice

• Referrals to community resources

Where are the counseling offices located?

• 105 Payson Smith in Portland

• 156 Upton Hall in Gorham

• LAC location TBA

What hours are the counseling offices open?

We are open from 8am to 4:30pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and 12pm to 4:30pm on Tuesday during the Fall and Spring Semesters. We offer limited services during academic breaks. Emergency consultation is offered after hours, If you need to have an in-depth conversation with a counselor after hours you can call the local HELP line at either 774-HELP or 1-888-568-1112.

Is counseling confidential?

Yes. Counseling is confidential with the exceptions that follow: if there is indication of harm to self or other; if there is indication of abuse to a child or an incapacitated elder; or if the court subpoenas the record

Can I be seen for telemental health counseling if I live somewhere else in Maine?

Yes we can serve all USM students living in Maine but are unable to service people living outside of Maine.

How do I make an appointment?

Call 780-4050 and our administrative staff will schedule you with a counselor as soon as there is an appointment available

How long will I have to wait for an appointment?

Appointments will be scheduled as soon as there is an opening. At our busy times students may have to wait for up to three weeks for an initial appointment. If there is an emergency, our associates will see to it that an appointment is scheduled that same day Who will my counselor be?

The staff of the Counseling Center is comprised of a diverse group of professionals, including licensed psychologists, licensed clinical counselors, licensed alcohol and drug counselors, a multicultural counselor, and graduate interns. Together they embody a great deal of experience with a multitude of issues. You will be scheduled with the first person who has an available appointment unless you request to see someone of a certain gender, a person of color, a specific staff person, or an intern.

The Counseling Center offers comprehensive psychological services to the students of the University of Southern Maine. In addition to direct services to the student population, the Counseling Center acts as a resource for the entire USM community. Counseling services are available on the Portland and Gorham campuses, Monday through Friday, as well as LAC on certain days of the week, when classes are in session.

The following is a description of our services and initiatives you can find on our website:

• Clinical Counseling

• Teletherapy

• Psychiatry Services

• Crisis Services & Intervention

• Grief/Loss Support

• Groups & Psychoeducational Workshops

• Consultation

• Substance Misuse Prevention & Education

• Outreach

• Clinical Training Center

• Diversity Statement