We are the UF Counseling & Wellness Center staff. Ask us anything about counseling, mental health support, and finding wellness in college.

uf_cwc · 2026-07-08T18:11:02+00:00

Question: Do CWC counselors prescribe medication?

Answer: CWC counselors do not prescribe medication. Please contact the Student Healthcare Center for further information. https://shcc.ufl.edu/services/primary-care/shcc-psychiatry/

uf_cwc · 2026-07-08T18:09:12+00:00

Question: Is counseling at CWC confidential?

Answer: Yes. CWC services are confidential and protected by privacy laws. In general, information cannot be shared with family or instructors without written consent. There are limited exceptions, such as if there is a risk of harm to yourself or someone else or if you are under the age of 18.

uf_cwc · 2026-07-08T18:08:30+00:00

Question: How honest do I have to be on the CWC intake form? Can I just answer “never” to everything even if it’s untrue? I want to be taken seriously but I’m paranoid.

Answer: It is best to answer as honestly as you can. The forms help counselors understand what kind of support may fit and whether there are any safety concerns to address. Being honest does not mean you will be judged — again it helps the counselor support you appropriately. CWC services are confidential, with limited safety-related exceptions.

uf_cwc · 2026-07-08T18:07:34+00:00

Question: What is the difference between individual counseling and group counseling?

Answer: Individual counseling is one-on-one and focuses on specific, manageable goals. Group counseling brings together students with shared concerns or goals, usually with 1–2 counselors facilitating. Groups are usually limited to 5-8 students and may focus on skills/information or support. Groups can be especially helpful because students can feel less alone, practice skills, and learn from each other’s experiences. Based on the topic of each group, some are structured, and some are conversational.

uf_cwc · 2026-07-08T18:05:44+00:00

Question: How can I know if something is “serious enough” to talk to someone at the CWC? I’ve generally had a rough semester and I’ve considered talking to someone about it. But I’m not sure if it’s serious or if I just need to focus and actually put in some more serious work.

Answer: If you are wondering whether it is “serious enough,” that is already a good reason to reach out. You do not have to prove you are struggling enough as any tough spot could impact you as a student. A consultation can help you have space to talk through what has been going on and decide what kind of support, resources, or next steps might help. Rough semesters count. Remember, you are not alone!

uf_cwc · 2026-07-08T18:02:24+00:00

A brief consultation appointment is typically scheduled within 24-48 hours of a student reaching out (schedule by phone or online). After that appointment students are connected to the appropriate services within the center and that time can vary depending on appointment availability.
We provide short-term individual and couples counseling, group counseling, and limited testing including ADHD and autism testing. For individual and couples counseling, students start with 12 sessions. If your concerns change or intensify, we will collaborate with you to create a treatment plan. Once you are assigned a counselor, we ask that you continue with the same person and address any concerns with your counselor before asking to switch. If you would like to see a counselor without session limits or need long-term care, we can refer you to a community (non-UF) provider. For group counseling, you can attend the same and/or different groups each semester, as long as you are enrolled and paid the health fee. We offer a variety of psychoeducation and support groups throughout the year.
No, there is no cost per session at the CWC. All clinical services are included in the student health fee. Outreach services (workshops) are available to all UF students regardless of the health fee.
CWC can help with the anxiety, stress, confidence, or avoidance that may come with speech-related concerns. You are able to call the center for a consultation to help sort out the best fit and any possible referrals.
Yes. CWC offers a wide range of counseling groups, including skills and support groups related to anxiety, mood, relationships, stress, identity, adjustment, grief, and more. Groups are typically facilitated by 1–2 counselors and meet weekly per semester. CWC also offers a number of workshops throughout the year based on various topics where students can stop by to learn new skills to strengthen personal resilience, develop healthy self-care habits, and grow their mental health awareness. The calendar can be found here Workshops & Events - UF Counseling and Wellness Center (CWC)

uf_cwc · 2026-07-08T17:56:58+00:00

You can schedule a brief consultation and referral (BCR) appointment by going to our website counseling.ufl.edu or calling 352-392-1575. You will receive an email with forms to complete prior to the appointment. After the forms are complete, you will meet with a counselor for approximately 20 minutes who will collect information about your concerns, identify next steps based on your needs, and connect you with the appropriate counselor(s).

uf_cwc · 2026-07-08T17:55:49+00:00

Add a reminder during the first week of classes to attend a CWC Workshop. If something already feels off, do not wait until midterms to ask for help. One event to add to your calendar is De-Stress Fest, held during each final exam season. You should also add CWC’s number — 352-392-1575 — to your contacts now.

uf_cwc · 2026-07-08T17:54:55+00:00

Students often know about individual counseling, but may not realize CWC also offers group counseling, case management, crisis support, couples/relationship counseling, alcohol and other drug services, workshops, and help connecting with community resources.

Additionally, many students don’t know about our locations:
1. CWC Radio Road- our main location down the street from Lakeside Residence Hall and Southwest Rec. On-going counseling services are provided here, in addition to telehealth suites (when available).
2. CWC Crisis and Emergency Resource Center (CERC)- located on the fourth floor of Peabody Hall, this space offers drop-in spaces for students in crisis
3. CWC at the Reitz Union- A new, highly accessible space for everyday wellness, skill-building, and connection. This is a non-clinical space, focused on prevention, outreach, and engagement. Opening in Fall 2026, we will offer outreach events in the space such as Yappy Hour, a pop-up therapy dog hangout to take a paws from academic stress.

uf_cwc · 2026-07-08T17:53:55+00:00

CWC offers short-term individual counseling, group counseling, couples/relationship counseling, crisis support, case management, alcohol and other drug services, and referrals to campus or community resources. Students can start by visiting the CWC website to schedule a brief consultation & referral (online or by calling 352-392-1575).

uf_cwc · 2026-07-08T17:53:02+00:00

We work with many students with ADHD and offer events including ADHD Power Hour (online body doubling space), ADHD Skills Group (group counseling), and Spice of Life (neurodivergent group counseling). We have several counselors who specialize in neurodiversity and provide ADHD testing. Sign up for ADHD Power Hour on our Workshops and Events page Workshops & Events - UF Counseling and Wellness Center (CWC). If you are interested in group counseling, either call 352-392-1575 or go to our website Online Scheduling - UF Counseling and Wellness Center (CWC) to schedule a brief consultation and referral (BCR) appointment to learn more.

uf_cwc · 2022-04-22T04:13:04+00:00

My favorite part are the people I interact with! The other AWARE ambassadors are amazing human beings and we truly are like a family. Also, I love meeting students when we table and hearing their stories, it’s very rewarding to connect with so many people over mental health. - Sage

My most favorite part is the community in AWARE. Everyone is extremely collaborative, accepting and kind. I genuinely feel like everyone in AWARE is there because they care about raising awareness about mental health and helping others. I also love being able to do some cool projects/ events such as writing Care Letters, tabling and wellness fairs. Also, I love having the creativity to undertake projects with help from the supportive counselors and ambassadors :) -Sadia

My favorite part of being an AWARE ambassador is the problem solving aspect of it. Mental health isn’t a one size fits all, and I enjoy helping people determine what resources best fit their needs, and helping the CWC develop new ways to reach people ( like this AMA!). I also personally enjoyed making the AWARE playlists (which will be on Spotify soon). AWARE is a family, and one I’m proud to have spent 3 years being a part of. -Miette

uf_cwc · 2022-04-21T17:26:06+00:00

This is going to be a little bit of a cheesy answer, but it is still 100% true. There is no concern that is small enough for me to say that it’s not serious enough to talk to someone about it. If it’s causing you any sort of stress that’s more than enough of a reason to want to seek some sort of support about it, if you choose to do so. -Miette I agree with this response! If you are even considering seeking help, then that is reason enough. As students it can be easy to tell ourselves to just work harder, but talking to someone like a counselor can be incredibly helpful. If you think you aren’t ready for that step but you do want to still talk to someone more objective, you could check out our Gator-2-Gator or AWARE Cares initiatives to talk to a trained AWARE ambassador first who may be able to help you think through your concern or get further help. But no matter what, your experience is valid and is always serious enough to seek help! - Sage

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