The College has maintained a long-standing relationship with the Poweshiek County Mental Health Center (www.pcmentalhealth.org) to offer a variety of counseling services to students. All students may take advantage of eight free visits to the mental health center each academic year. After the initial visits, fees are prorated (based on income) or covered by insurance. The campus Health Center can provide transportation to and from appointments at the Poweshiek County Mental Health Center.

The professional counselors and psychiatrists at the mental health center have considerable experience working with Grinnell students. They are familiar with the people, policies, and environment of the college and all are experienced in multicultural counseling. The unique relationship that exists between the college and the mental health center allows the college to offer students a diverse selection of counselors.

Students can arrange an appointment at Poweshiek County Mental Health Center in several ways:

• By speaking with an RLC. RLCs meet frequently with the counseling staff and are familiar with each of them and their areas of expertise, thus they are able to ease some of the tension students may feel when initially considering counseling as an alternative for them. RLCs can assist students with the referral process, including walking the student to walk-in hours at the Health Center or calling for an appointment at the Mental Health Center.
• By calling the campus Health Center. A nurse there can arrange an appointment with the Mental Health Center to fit a student's schedule. The Health Center also provides transportation to appointments in town.
• By talking to someone in Student Affairs with whom a student feels comfortable. This includes the deans, directors, intercultural and academic advising counselors, and chaplains. These individuals can help a student schedule an appointment.
• By calling the mental health center directly at 236-6137. A student can be scheduled for an appointment immediately if the need is urgent. If a student needs but cannot get an appointment at the Center in 5 business days, they can speak with a member of the Student Affairs staff to try to get an earlier appointment.

During a first visit to the Poweshiek County Mental Health Center, a counselor, social worker, or psychologist will talk with a student to gather history. The student and the therapist will decide what follow-up steps should be taken. This may include being referred to a support group or therapy group; additional sessions of individual therapy; and/or assessment or treatment by another mental health professional or psychiatrist. Students will not necessarily continue to work with the therapist they see for their first visit. Students are welcome to specify that they would prefer to work with a therapist of a particular gender.

An important note to remember: If for any reason a student is not comfortable with the person s/he sees at the Mental Health Center, the student may request another professional. A student can discuss alternatives with any mental health professional, RLC, or student affairs staff member. We want you to have a good match.

Poweshiek County Mental Health Center
200 Fourth Avenue West
Grinnell, IA 50112
Phone: 641-236-6137
Fax: 641-236-0206
www.pcmentalhealth.org

The therapists from Poweshiek County Mental Health also provide staffing for the walk-in couseling services on campus. On-campus counseling is available at the Health Center located in the lower-level of the Forum. Counselors are available from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, on a first come, first served basis.