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. 

 
Counseling is offered in-person or via Microsoft TEAMS from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. Counseling sessions are by appointment. The counselor, Jacquelyn Elbel, Ph.D., has been at Parker since the Fall of 1988. To schedule an appointment fill out the request below.   
                                                         
Find out more about Dr. Elbel here. Email her at: jelbel@parker.edu 
 
Jacquelyn Elbel, Ph.D. is a Licensed Psychologist with the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (TX License #30554; Expires August 31, 2023). For information on how to verify a license, please go to www.tsbep.texas.gov. For information on how to file a complaint, please go to the following page:  https://www.tsbep.texas.gov/how-to-file-a-complaint-enforcement.
 
After hours counseling is offered through MyBenefitsWork (see right side of page). You will need to have a Campus Cares/MyBenefits account and can sign up with the information on this page (right column). 
 
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)
*call or 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
    
_________________________________________________________________________________________
To schedule an appointment:   Please complete the following form: https://forms.office.com/r/UgVypMHfWg . You will need to be signed into MyParker to do so. Appointments are available in-person or on TEAMS M-F, 8a-5p.  If you do not hear back soon please email her at jelbel@parker.edu. To talk to someone sooner or if you would like evening or weekend appointments please use Campus Care/My Benefits (info at top of the right column). 
_________________________________________________________________________________________

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. 
  • The office telephone number is 972-438-6932 x7155; you may send Dr. Elbel an email or TEAMS message at any time of the day or night. She will answer during business hours. She does not check voicemail when off campus. If a crisis arises during the evening or weekend, call or text the crisis hotlines above. 
  • 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.

Useful Web Sites

Information from anxiety to relationships available through links to different web sites. See also the tab on the top left of the page for many resources for a variety of topics. 

Substance Abuse Treatment & Recovery Resources Dallas

Help.org

Addiction resources which include free treatment

Domestic Violence Resources

Hotline: 800-799-7233  SMS text START 88788

www.thehotline.org

https://stopabuseforeveryone.org/

Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network

1-800-656-4673

https://www.rainn.org/

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: https://my.parker.edu/ICS/Campus_Life/Student_Affairs/Vodcasts_of_Student_Success_Workshops/

Counseling  is available 24/7 through your telehealth app, under the MyBenefits tab, Campus Care. The services include both counseling with a person on-call and appointments with a designated provider. As a Parker University student, you automatically become enrolled in a telehealth discount plan through CampusCare as part of your student fees.   

Students can visit MyBenefitsWork.com or download the Work Mobile app to register themselves as well as spouses and dependent children. You will need to use the Member ID and Group Number provided in the email you received to register.  (This was sent from mybenefitswork@newbenefits to search your emails for these numbers) A member card will be mailed to the address you provide at enrollment. 

Answers to most other questions can be found in the information provided when you register.

If you have any questions or difficulty signing up you may contact a customer service representative at 1-800-8304 Monday – Friday, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm and Saturday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Central Time. If you cannot resolve your issue with customer service please e-mail AskStudentAffairs@parker.edu.

 

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)

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

(.docx, 28K)

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)

Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook

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

(.pdf, 550K)

Changing Habits--Forming New Habits

Speaking of Psychology Podcasts: 

How the science of habits can help us keep our New Year’s resolutions, with Wendy Wood, PhD

https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/behavioral-habits

How science can help you change your behavior for the better, with Katy Milkman, PhD https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/better-behavior