About the University Counseling Center
UCC Mission Statement
The Tennessee State University Counseling Center (UCC) strives to provide support, guidance, and resources to Tennessee State University students, as well as faculty and staff who are in positions to foster student well-being and professional growth. The HBCU experience is truly a life-changing event in many ways, and challenges students to be adaptable, resilient, and mindful learners. Through the provision of holistically informed and evidence-based practices, the UCC is committed to the Institution’s habit of excellence by fostering students’ personal and academic success through offering individualized and comprehensive support that promotes lifelong skills, personal growth and wellness of students.
Vision
The UCC aspires to offer exceptional and comprehensive services consisting of mental health assessment, counseling, crisis support, linkage to community services, coordination of care, prevention, and education. Through providing services to students, The UCC will support the mission of the Institution and actively promote a learning environment that supports personal and academic success.
Philosophy
The UCC recognizes that the academic journey is stressful in itself and that additional external factors may detract from the academic experience. The UCC assists students in resolving personal difficulties and in acquiring the skills, attitudes, and resources necessary to both succeed in the college environment and pursue productive and satisfying lives. The UCC strives to contribute to the overall educational mission of the Institution by facilitating the emotional, academic and social development of students and by serving as mental health consultant to the campus community. Principles that guide the work of the UCC include respect for diversity, purposeful and holistic student development, and ethical and legal responsibility. The UCC is a unit of the Division of Student Affairs with a direct reporting line to the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs.
Common Reasons Students Visit the UCC
- Stress and anxiety
- Adjustment to college
- Depression
- Loneliness and isolation
- Difficulty feeling connected on campus
- Academic concerns
- Conflicts in relationships
- Coping with traumatic events
- Life balance
- Sleep disturbances
- Suicidal thoughts
- Self-harming behaviors
- Homesickness
- Body-image/eating concerns
- Social anxiety
- Perfectionism
- Survivors of physical/sexual abuse
- Substance concerns
- Living with loss
- Sexuality and gender identity
- Motivation
UCC staff is also available for consultation with faculty and staff regarding student well-being and outreach presentations. Requests for presentations may be made by completing the outreach request form.
Confidentiality
At TSU Counseling Center, we prioritize your privacy. All counseling records are kept strictly confidential and do not become part of the student's university records. Your information is disclosed only with your explicit written consent. However, there are rare exceptions to this confidentiality: If there is an imminent threat to your safety or the safety of others or if there is a legal obligation, such as a court order that requires us to release information. We are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality and ensuring that all interactions within the counseling context are conducted in a secure and confidential manner.
Training
At the UCC, we are proud to support the practical training of graduate students from counseling, clinical mental health, and other related disciplines. Our trainees and interns play an integral role in providing counseling services, always under the diligent supervision of our qualified staff counselors. These future professionals engage in individual counseling and gain valuable hands-on experience in crisis intervention, case conceptualization, maintaining case notes, and participating in outreach activities. As full members of our team, all trainees and interns are expected to uphold the same high standards of ethical and professional conduct that define our services.
