Individual Services

Starting counseling can feel unfamiliar, and that’s completely normal. Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know you and understand how best to support you. 
 
Before your appointment: 
Please complete the required intake paperwork prior to your first session. Forms can be downloaded online and submitted before your scheduled appointment time. If you are unable to complete the forms in advance, please plan to arrive 15 minutes early to complete the intake paperwork before your session begins. 
 
During your initial appointment, you can expect to: 

• Discuss what brought you to counseling
• Share any current concerns or challenges
• Explore your strengths, supports, and personal goals
• Review relevant background information (academic, personal, or health history as appropriate)
• Identify goals for counseling
• Ask questions about the process 
   

You are welcome to share at your own pace. There is no pressure to have everything figured out. This session is about understanding your needs, identifying your strengths, and determining next steps together. 
 
At the end of the appointment, your counselor will discuss recommendations, which may include brief ongoing counseling sessions, group services, workshops, referrals to community providers, or other supportive resources.

Our services comply with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and applicable Illinois laws, including the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act. These laws provide strong protections regarding the privacy, use, and release of your mental health information. 
 
Information shared in counseling sessions is kept confidential within legal and ethical limits. This section outlines how your information is protected, when confidentiality may legally be required to be breached, and how your records are stored and accessed. 
 
We encourage you to review this information carefully, so you understand your rights and how we safeguard your privacy. 

• ECC Wellness Services Privacy Statement (English)
• ECC Wellness Services Privacy Statement (Spanish) 

As a student receiving services at the Wellness Services, you have specific rights designed to protect your dignity, autonomy, and access to quality care. 
 
In accordance with Illinois law and professional ethical standards, you have the right to: 

• Be treated with respect and without discrimination
• Receive clear information about services and provide informed consent
• Participate actively in treatment planning and decision-making
• Ask questions about your care at any time
• Request information about your records as permitted by law
• Be informed of the limits of confidentiality
• Express concerns or file a complaint without fear of retaliation 

We are committed to providing services that are respectful, culturally responsive, and ethically grounded. Understanding your rights helps ensure a collaborative and transparent counseling experience. If you have any questions about these rights, we encourage you to speak with your counselor or contact our office directly. 

• Students’ Rights (English)--> need to create or add to existing doc
• Students’ Rights (Spanish) 

Before your first counseling session, all students must complete an intake form. This form helps us gather important information about your background, current concerns, and goals, so your Wellness Professional can provide the most effective support from the start. 
 
How to complete your intake form: 

• Download online: Forms are available on our website and can be completed electronically or printed.
• Submit in advance: To save time during your first appointment, we encourage you to submit the completed forms before your session.
• Arrive early if needed: If you are unable to complete the forms in advance, please plan to arrive 15 minutes early to complete the paperwork before your appointment begins. 

If you have questions about the form, you can contact our office for assistance. 

• Intake Form (English)
• Intake Form (Spanish) 

Receiving counseling is a voluntary process, and students must provide informed consent before services begin. Consent for services ensures that you understand the nature of counseling, what to expect, and your rights as a client. 
 
By providing consent, you acknowledge that you: 

• Understand the purpose of counseling and the types of services offered
• Are aware that services are confidential within legal and ethical limits
• Know the limits of confidentiality under Illinois law, including situations involving risk of harm to self or others, abuse or neglect, court orders, or medical emergencies
• Agree to participate in counseling voluntarily and may withdraw from services at any time
• Have received information about your rights, privacy protections, and how your records are handled

Your counselor will review this consent with you during your first session. If you have any questions or concerns about the consent process, please speak with your counselor or contact our office before your appointment. 

• Student Informed Consent for Services (English)
• Student Informed Consent for Services (Spanish)
• Student Informed Consent for Virtual Services (English)
• Student Informed Consent for Virtual Services (Spanish)