University of Michigan Psychological Clinic
525 East University Street
East Hall
Ann Arbor , MI 48109-1109
Why do people seek help at the Psychological Clinic?
People come to the Clinic when they are experiencing difficulties in their lives and want help sorting out the difficulties. Some of the concerns the Clinic can help with include: depression and/or anxiety, problems with personal relationships, including spouses, family and friends, school and career choices for their careers, difficulties at work with colleagues or superiors, confusion or concern about sexual identities or preferences, transition with moving from another country and help sorting out new experiences in Ann Arbor.
These are just some reasons a person might seek help at the Clinic, and we are ready to help.
Who can come for help at the Clinic?
The Clinic is open to adults 18 and older, regardless of their affiliation with the University of Michigan. We see townspeople, graduate and undergraduate students, University of Michigan faculty and staff. We see individuals and couples; we have groups for international students and for graduate students working on their dissertations.
What happens when I call?
A Clinic office staff member will talk with you briefly about the concerns you want help with. He or she will ask a few questions to help steer you to the best help we can offer, and will explain some of the policies and procedures of the Clinic so you’ll know what to expect when you come. The staff member may be able to schedule an appointment during your call, or may need to call back after checking for therapist availability or whether another agency would serve you better.
How do I make an appointment?
Just give us a call at 734-764-3471.
How much do services cost?
The Clinic has a sliding scale fee based on income and relevant expenses. The fee for psychotherapy ranges from $38 up to our full-scale fee of $130 per session. Fees for testing and psychiatric consultation are described elsewhere.
Can faculty and staff go to the Clinic?
Faculty and staff are welcome at the Clinic
Can I refer a friend or family member for therapy?
By all means, encourage a friend or family member to contact us if you see them having difficulties.
Can I bring a family member or friend with me to my therapy session?
Usually your therapist will want to meet with you by yourself, but meeting together with family or friends can be very helpful as part of the work with your therapist. A friend or family member can accompany you to your appointment and wait while you meet with your therapist.
Will my parents or family be notified if I come to the Clinic?
Your parents or family will not be notified. Some insurance policies require that the policyholder be notified, but this would not happen without your consent.
Will my visits go on my student record?
No! No information is released to the University of Michigan regarding your care at the Clinic. Your written consent is required for any release of information, except in an emergency.
Is this confidential?
Except for certain situations where confidentiality is required to be breached by law, information related to your care at the Clinic is confidential and can be released only with your consent. Exceptions include a court subpoena, situations involving child or elder abuse and neglect, or violent threats to identifiable others.
Whom will I see?
The Clinic is staffed by graduate student therapists who are completing their pre-doctoral internships in clinical psychology or their pre-masters internships social work, by post-doctoral fellows in psychology, and by post-masters fellows in social work. Experienced psychologists or social workers supervise all of our trainee therapists. Senior supervisory staff have a few openings as well.
Can I request a certain therapist?
If a particular therapist at the Clinic has been recommended to you, you may request to see this therapist. It may not always be possible to honor your request due to therapist availability or other factors.
What if I don't like my therapist, or I'm not comfortable with him or her?
You may always request to see a different therapist. We know that the best results occur when you work with someone you’re comfortable with.
Do you have crisis therapy?
The Clinic works with people who are having significant difficulties, but we do not offer emergency or crisis intervention.
How does filling out forms help me?
We ask you to fill out forms before seeing your therapist for the first time, and at various points during your therapy. Some of these forms are administrative, to help us with determining your fee or to arrange payment from your insurance company. But most of the forms are designed to help us help you better. They ask you about issues and facts that have been demonstrated to be important in understanding people’s concerns and in planning how best to help. Your therapist will go over your answers with you, and will use the forms to help decide what to work on with you. Other forms will help your therapist understand how your work together is going.
What if I just need/want medication?
The Clinic offers psychiatric services in conjunction with ongoing psychotherapy at the Clinic. We do not offer psychiatric services independently of ongoing therapy services. We can give you a referral to a psychiatrist or psychiatric facility if your wish is to have a medication treatment.
How many times can I see the therapist?
The Clinic does not have a limit on how many sessions you may have with your therapist. We also offer therapy once, twice or three times a week -- you and your therapist decide what the best frequency of session would be. Most insurance plans place a limit on how many sessions they will pay for (e.g., 20 or 25 sessions), but our sliding scale fee often allows people to stay longer if they and their therapist decide it would be best.
How long are appointments at the Clinic?
Appointments are 45 minutes long.
How long will I have to wait for a first appointment?
Most appointments are scheduled within 10 days of the first call. At times the wait may be longer – the office staff person will be able to give you an estimate of the wait if there is one.
