Counseling Services

Counseling Center Information

Counseling Services On Campus

Counseling Services are free and available to all students.  

Parker University Counseling Center strives to meet a range of unique needs presented by college students. Committed to delivering quality care, the Parker University Counseling Center professionals provide a range of short-term mental health services to students. All students are welcome to request an appointment for an initial assessment to discuss their concerns. Clients in serious mental or emotional distress may be referred to providers trained in crisis management for stabilization.

When a student’s needs require a more intensive level of care, we partner with the student to find resources within the community. Situations that may require off-campus care include: a need, or request, to be seen at a higher frequency for individual therapy (sessions are typically every-other week); alcohol and drug addiction, eating disorders, chronic thoughts and/or attempts of self-injury and/or suicide, and treatment for aggressive or violent behavior. Parker University Counseling Center does not provide psychological testing for disability services, documentation for courses, or documentation for an emotional support animal. The DFW area has many specialized mental health resources available for students who need different services and levels of care and the counseling staff can assist students in finding appropriate services. It is the responsibility of the student to follow through with treatment. 

 
Meet your Counselor:
 
Natica Blake MS, LPC, NCC
 
Natica holds a master's degree in counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Texas and Connecticut. Natica loves to travel, going to concerts, scrolling on Pinterest and cheering for the Celtics.
 
    
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Counseling Services Update:

The University Counseling Office will be closed for new intakes from August 15 through September 2. During this time, we will not be scheduling new counseling appointments or conducting initial intakes. Regular counseling services will resume for new intakes on Tuesday, September 3.

Students in need of support are encouraged to use TimelyCare, a free and confidential service available 24/7 to all enrolled students. Through TimelyCare, you can access:

  • 24/7 TalkNow: On-demand mental health support with licensed counselors, anytime.
  • Scheduled Counseling: Virtual appointments at times that work for you.

To access TimelyCare, visit TimelyCare.com or download the TimelyCare app. Be sure to register using your student email address.

If you are experiencing a crisis, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Thank you for your understanding, and we wish you a safe and restorative break!

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Counseling Center Location:
Located in the Student Affairs Department- North Building, Room 102
Office hours: 9am-5pm
 

Center Information

  • The objective of counseling is to help clients improve their well-being, alleviate their distress, resolve their crisis and increase their ability to solve problems and make decisions. Counselors enable and facilitate psychological growth and development by helping clients better use existing resources and skills or by guiding them in developing new ways to help themselves.
  • A counseling appointment typically lasts 50 minutes, and is free to Parker University students.
  • Your appointment times are reserved exclusively for you. If you cannot keep your appointment, please contact the office as soon as possible so that others may utilize the time. If you miss an appointment please contact the counselor to reschedule. 
  • If a crisis arises during the evening or weekend, call or text the crisis hotlines below. 
  • You have the right to decide if you desire counseling services. If you prefer a professional from the community, we shall provide you with the names of other qualified therapists. You have the right to terminate counseling at any time without any moral or legal obligation.
  • All information revealed by you to the counselor will be kept strictly confidential and will not be revealed to any other person or agency without your written permission except those situations which by law a counselor is required to report. These include: (1) if you threaten bodily harm or death to yourself or another person; (2) if you report the physical or sexual abuse of a minor child; (3) if you report the physical or sexual abuse of an elderly person (4) if you report sexual abuse or exploitation by a mental health provider. 
  • Any complaints against a counselor may be reported to the Dean of Student Affairs or though the counselor's professional licensing board.

 

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Suicide Prevention Video

This brief, engaging suicide prevention video was created for all Texas institutions of higher education to raise awareness and promote strategies to address suicidality among students of all ages and backgrounds. The video includes warning signs and emphasizes that help and resources are available on campus and in the community. 

The 6-minute, professionally filmed video features actors and animation portraying aspects of real student stories. It was designed using a research-based process that included a review of other campaigns as well as ongoing research/consultation with staff and students from institutions across Texas.

 

 

If you are in crisis:
 
*If life threatening--call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room
*Contact 211 to find resources in your area (mobile crisis outreach team)
*Callor text crisis lines:
text CONNECT to 741741 
Suicide & Crisis Center of North Texas--214-828-1000 or sccenter.org
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 988  text, talk or chat 
confidential chat at suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Trevor Project (LGBTQI): 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678
Veteran Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 press 1 or text 838255

More Information

Resources

Click on Websites to obtain additional resources.

 

Substance Abuse Treatment & Recovery Resources Dallas

Domestic Violence Resources

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network

Learn specific skills and techniques in our Student Success Workshops

  • Stress Management and Using Temperament for Success 
  • Study Skills and Time Management 
  • Test Taking Skills 
  • Sleep Smarter—Be Smarter 
  • Overcome Test Anxiety
  • COVID Fatigue
  • National Boards Game Plan
  • Overcome Imposter Syndrome
  • Procrastination

Previous workshops are always available by Vodcast at this link: Student Success Workshop

 

To access resources, links and videos from previous workshops or events click here: https://linktr.ee/parkeruniversitycounseling

Counseling Presentation Request

Counseling Presentation Request

Presentations for faculty, staff or student groups

Parker University's Counseling Department provides various mental health services, including presentations for faculty, staff, or student groups.  Complete and submit the Counseling Presentation Request Form to inquire about potential programming for yourself or your staff/group.

Outreach Requests:

  • Assisting Students in Distress (Staff/Faculty Only)
  • Body Image
  • Building Emotional Health and Resilience
  • Burnout Prevention 
  • Conflict Management
  • Holiday Blues/Grief During the Holidays
  • Imposter Syndrome
  • Loneliness and Building Social Connections
  • Mental Health Among Various Identities
  • Mindfulness
  • Overview of Counseling and Testing Services (15 mins)
  • Positive Psychology/Gratitude/Strengths
  • Self-Care
  • Self-Compassion
  • Stress Management/Coping with Anxiety
  • Suicide Prevention 
  • Test Anxiety
  • Trauma Informed Classrooms (Staff/Faculty Only)

Off Campus Counseling Options

TIMELYCARE VIRTUAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Parker University has partnered with TimelyCare to provide on-demand virtual mental health services to enrolled students at no additional cost to students.

Parker University students have 24/7 access to virtual care services with TimelyCare — the virtual health and well-being platform designed for college students.  This service is provided at no additional cost to students. Students do not need insurance to access TimelyCare services. As part of Parker's partnership with TimelyCare, students have access to services in TimelyCare, including:

  • TalkNow: 24/7, on-demand emotional support to talk about anything, including anxiety, relationships, depression, and school-related stressors.
  • Scheduled Counseling: Choose the day, time, and mental health provider that best works for you. (12 visits per year)
  • Health Coaching: Develop healthy lifestyle behaviors, including nutrition, sleep habits, time management, and mindfulness.
  • Psychiatry: Appointments are available through referrals only.
  • Digital Self-Care Content: Visit the Self-Care tab for 24/7 access to tools and resources, such as meditation and yoga sessions, helpful videos, and short articles from experts.
  • Basic Needs Support: Access to low or reduced-cost community resources, including food and housing assistance, transit support, childcare, and finances.
  • Student Success Coaching: A success coach provides support on topics including goal setting, study skills, resume review, and more.
  • Peer support community

Students have access to TimelyCare services 365 days a year. That means you have access during breaks, after-hours, and any time you need support!

 Visit timelycare.com/parker or download the TimelyCare app to get started!

Counselor Recommended Apps for Stress Management

Emergency and After Hours Crisis

EMERGENCY AND AFTER-HOURS CRISIS

If you are experiencing a life-threatening or mental health emergency please call 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency room.

Parker University Counseling center is available to assist students experiencing a mental health crisis during our business hours (Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-5p.m.). If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need immediate support from a mental health professional when our office is closed, please contact one of the following 24-hour providers:

Emergency and Urgent Care Centers:

24hr Crisis Hotline:

LGBTQIA Mental Health Resources:

Assault, Intimate Partner Violence, Stalking or Domestic Violence

For emergency services contact University Police: 

  • 214-902-3440

Counseling Documents

Resources

Suicide Hotlines North Texas.docx

 

988 to talk or text

 

Mobile Crisis Outreach Teams

www.hhs.texas.gov/services

call 211, ask for services (LMHA or LBHA) in your area

 

Veteran Crisis Line:

1-800-273-8255 press 1 or text 838255

 

Dallas County Mental Health Resources

 

(.docx, 12K)
Download Suicide and Crisis Help

Referral list includes some therapists in private practice as well as centers that offer lower-cost/sliding scale fees.

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Download Referrals for Mental Health Services
The wellness wheel is a super useful tool to check in on how balanced different parts of your life feel—like physical health, mental well-being, social life, finances, academics, and even your sense of purpose. Each section on the wheel represents an area that can impact your stress, happiness, and overall ability to succeed in college.

If you print a blank wellness wheel, you can fill it out now and then to see where things are going well and where you might want to focus a little more energy. This simple exercise can help you set personal goals, make small changes, and stay on top of your self-care. Having a snapshot of your well-being can be a great reminder of what’s going well and where there’s room for growth!

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Download Blank Wellness Wheel

Living with Worry and Anxiety

Most college students deal with worry and anxiety. These practical and easy-to-read guides include specific and empirically validated activities and approaches to help with worry and anxiety that come with any situation. These graphic representations make these self-help treatment even more accessible and relatable. COVID-19 and our reactions to it are also discussed.

Guide to living with worry and anxiety Workbook

Many techniques are detailed for cognitive and physical symptoms of anxiety.

 

(.pdf, 1238K)
Download Guide to living with worry and anxiety

Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook

many techniques which help with any kind of anxiety and worry. Not just about COVID. Excellent resource! 

(.pdf, 550K)
Download Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook