The Counseling Center is located in The Ladd Center. Hours of operation are open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. After hours if you need to speak to a counselor immediately, Georgia Crisis & Access Line is available 24/7, including weekends and holidays. Call 800.715.4225 or download the MyGCAL app to text or chat with a GCAL crisis specialist.
To make an appointment call 706.236.2259 or visit us in The Ladd Center, room 20.
During office hours, M-F, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. if you are in a mental health crisis, please call the Counseling Center at 706.236.2259 and request a Same Day Solution Session.
If you are in a mental health crisis after hours and need to speak to a counselor immediately, Georgia Crisis & Access Line is available 24/7, including weekends and holidays. Call 800.715.4225 or download the MyGCAL app to text or chat with a GCAL crisis specialist.
If this is an emergency: call Berry College Campus Police if you are on-campus (706.236.2262), call 911 if you are off-campus, or go to the nearest emergency room (Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center or Advent Health Redmond Medical Center if you are in the Rome area).
No. None of the counselors in the Counseling Center can provide documentation for an Emotional Support Animal. According the American Counseling Association it is outside of our scope of practice. Students will need to seek documentation from another mental health or medical professional.
No. None of the counselors in the Counseling Center are qualified to test and/or diagnosis ADHD in adults. If a student is needing a confirmation of this diagnosis for medication and/or accessibility services, they will be referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist in the community that can provide this type of assessment. Health Services also does not provide either the assessment for a diagnosis or prescriptions for ADHD medication.
The counseling center does not enforce a session limit at this time. However, we do follow a shorter term, goal oriented model in order to provide more access to students seeking care. Most students are seen in counseling for 5-8 sessions. The counseling office works closely with the Office of Student Well-being and Support to provide off campus referrals for students requiring long-term or specialized counseling services. Please see the Individual Counseling Page for more information on the Counseling Center's Scope of Practice.
Yes. The student would complete paperwork authorizing the sharing information.
Not at all. While many of the students we serve have diagnosable problems, we see students for decision-making, relationship conflicts, grief, self-understanding, and other normal developmental needs.
The Counseling Center works with the Office of Student Well-being and Support to facilitate referrals to psychiatrists in the Rome community. Due to the shortage in psychiatric care across the country, we recommend that students that are already under the care of a psychiatrist continue that relationship.
We cannot guarantee immediate contact due to the student's right to refuse that, but in the vast majority of cases, they consent to contact with parents while decisions are being made about their safety and care. We want the family in the loop quickly, and we make sure students understand the advantages of contacting parents.
Call 706.236.2259 if you have additional questions and would like to discuss with a provider.