Counseling Services
The staff of the Counseling Center views counseling as another form of learning where students are able to learn more effective means of resolving concerns and developing strategies for achieving personal and professional goals. Counseling can assist those who are experiencing various personal problems and difficulties. Some of the concerns commonly addressed include adjustment to college, relationships, stress, depression, loneliness, anxiety, and self-esteem. If student needs are better served by other resources, referrals will be made to an appropriate community resource.
The Counseling Center offers a solution-focused brief therapy model wherein students may be seen for less than six visits at no charge. This model is designed to help students highlight their ability to solve problems, focusing on short-term goals, learning effective means of resolving concerns and developing strategies for achieving goals. Common concerns addressed are relationships, stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness and self-esteem. If the student needs are better served by other resources, referrals will be made to an appropriate community resource for longer-term care.
Cumberland Counseling Services does not provide long-term counseling, emergency medication management, or emergency psychological evaluations. If these needs are indicated the counselor will work with the student in transitioning them to a provider in the community. Our objective at Cumberland Counseling Services is to make student mental health a top priority and assist them in every way possible toward achieving success in their college journey.
Connect with a Counselor
The Counseling Center has several options for students to connect with a counselor:
In person – DEddie Christian, Labry Hall 225, echristian@cumberland.edu
Virtual – Sandra Fields, sfields@theratribe.com, https://www.cumberland.edu/office-of-counseling-services/meet-our-counselors/
In Case of Emergency
Please do not rely on email for help in a crisis or emergency situation. If you are in a crisis, please come to the Counseling Center in Labry Hall 225 or call 615-547-1397 during business hours. If no one is available or if it is after hours, for a mental health crisis call 615-449-0500, or for an emergency call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
All counseling services are offered free of charge to registered and enrolled Cumberland University students.
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Talk Campus App
The TalkCampus app focuses on student well-being. It is a peer-to-peer resource allowing young people to share, connect, and feel understood by people like them. Since using the student platform:
- Over 70% of users feel less isolated
- 79% feel more able to cope with life
- 82% feel more understood
Your student email address will give you free access, just download TalkCampus from the app stores. Download the app here.
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Individual Therapy
The Counseling Center provides short-term (usually between 6 and 8 sessions) therapy for students struggling with a variety of personal issues. Adjustment to college, relationship concerns, depression, anxiety, and stress management are just some of the issues that can be addressed confidentiality in therapy.
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Group Therapy
The Counseling Center offers group counseling depending upon student needs each semester. Information regarding therapy groups that are forming will be sent out to all students via an email at the beginning of each semester.
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Couples Therapy
The Counseling Center provides therapy for couples provided both members of the couple are Cumberland University students. As with individual therapy, a short-term therapeutic model is followed with 6 to 8 sessions being the norm.
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Faculty and Staff Counseling Services
Faculty and staff are also eligible for counseling services on a limited basis to include consultation, assessment, and facilitation of a referral by contacting the Counseling Center at (615) 547-1397. We regret that we are unable to offer ongoing therapy services to faculty and staff members at this time.
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Crisis and Emergency Services
In case of emergency, you can call the Counseling Center at (615) 547-1397 to schedule an emergency appointment. If no one is available when you call and it is an emergency, please call (615) 449-0500 for immediate help. If you or someone else is injured then call 911 for immediate assistance and transport to the local emergency department. If you feel like harming yourself or if someone else’s safety is in question, please call one of these numbers (available 24/7) or go immediately to the nearest emergency room for help:
- Vanderbilt Healthcare McFarland Hall Intake Services 615-449-0500
- Vanderbilt Healthcare McFarland Hall Behavioral Health Inpatient 615-444-8262
- Cumberland Mental Health Services – Wilson County 615-444-4343
- Centerstone Crisis Triage 1-800-681-7444
- The Crisis Intervention Center 615-244-7444
- Wilson County Mobile Crisis 1-800-704-2651
- Vanderbilt Respond 615-327-7000
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Sexual Assault
- Sexual Assault Center: 800-879-1999
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673) or Live Chat
- Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center: 615-322-4843
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Drugs and Alcohol
- Alcoholics Cocaine & Narcotics Anonymous 24-Hour Helpline: 888-827-7180
- SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
- The Alcohol and Drug Council of Middle Tennessee: 615-269-0029
- Vanderbilt Healthcare McFarland Hall: 615-449-0500
- Addictions.com: 1-800-926-9037
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Domestic Violence
- YWCA Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-334-4628
- Tennessee Helpline Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-356-6767
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
- Home Safe in Wilson County: 615-444-8955
- Adult Protective Services (for assistance or anonymous reporting): 1-888-277-8366
- Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center: 615-322-4843
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Other Resources
- Crisis Hotline: 615-244-7444
- Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- LifeLine Crisis Chat
- Crisis Text Line: Text “GO” to 741-741 to connect with trained crisis counselors via text
Have questions? We have answers.
Check out our Office of Counseling Services FAQs.
Contact us. We’re here to help
Cumberland University has several options for students to connect with a counselor. Our on campus counselor, Eddie Christian, is located in Labry Hall 225 and can be reached at 615-547-1397 or EChristian@Cumberland.edu. We also partner with TheraTribe to offer a wider range of counselors and counseling options for students. To reach out to TheraTribe and schedule a counseling session, contact Sandra Fields at sfields@theratribe.com.