Our services

Our services are tailored to the individual needs of each student. In your Brief Assessment meeting with a counselor, your counseling needs and the appropriate services will be discussed. In some cases, referrals to community resources will be made. Counseling Services staff members do not write letters of support for assistance animals at the request of a client/student.

We provide the following services:

Brief assessment

Short 20-25 minute appointment to determine what services will best help you address your concerns.

What to expect from your first appointment

Individual counseling

Individual counseling at NAU is primarily short term in nature where appointments are scheduled every two to three weeks. If more frequent or longer term treatment is required to address your concerns, a referral to an off campus provider will likely be discussed.

Couples counseling

Address and receive feedback on relationship concerns with your partner and a professional. To be seen for couples counseling, only one of the partners needs to be an NAU student.

Group counseling

We offer a number of therapy groups each semester addressing many issues that a college student could be going through. Groups are typically available around the third or fourth week of the semester and run until reading week. A commitment to at least four group sessions is asked of group members. Fall 2019 Groups

Behavior-related assessment (BRA)

BRAs are initiated by the Office of Student Life, Residence Life or Athletics when there is a behavioral or safety concern. Call Counseling Services to schedule and inform them that you are looking to complete a BRA. Complete your online forms prior to visit and show up 20 minutes early to your scheduled appointment for paperwork.

Substance Use Disorders (SUD)

Referrals are commonly initiated when there is an alcohol or drug related concern with a student. This student will be required to complete the SAP program which entails signing up for one healthy choices class and a follow up individual meeting. The SAP program can be initiated by calling Counseling Services and informing them that you are looking to complete a referral.

Substance abuse referral instructions

Outreach programs and workshops

Counseling Services frequently teams up with other departments around campus to provide workshops and programs to address many mental health related topics. We will do our best to get back to you within two business days. Please give us at least two weeks notice prior to your requested outreach date. We also ask that at least 10 people be present for the outreach. To request an outreach, please fill out the online form.

Triage services

For students experiencing a psychological emergency (e.g., suicidal/homicidal ideation or intent, recent sexual assault, serious trauma) Counseling Services is available for  triage appointments. Counseling Services offers 24-hour on-call assistance for psychological emergencies as well.

We do not offer family or child counseling, although counselors can discuss referrals to family or child therapists in the community.

Trans care

Schedule a Brief Assessment appointment that will allow any Counseling Services (CS) staff member to assist you in exploring the full range of issues you might be experiencing.

If you are seeking counseling for issues separate from gender-related medical intervention, you can see any staff member for ongoing counseling.

If you are considering hormone therapy or surgery and are in search of mental health advocacy, you will need to see one of the CS Trans Care counselors. Please make this request clear to your Brief Assessment therapist who will facilitate the transfer of care. You will work with the Trans Care counselor at CS to determine appropriate services.

Medical Services Trans Health Information