The counselor is in and ready for students to stop by and say hello. Abby Simpson, LCSW, is now working about 20 hours a week from an office on the first floor of the Doty Fine Arts Building (DFA 1.204B) through the Counselors in Academic Residence (CARE) program within the Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC). This school year, the university expanded the program from six participating colleges to 12 in an effort to make mental health resources more accessible to students.
Simpson’s office hours—Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 1 to 2 p.m.—are a time for students to come in, meet her, discuss resources and, if necessary, options for support or counseling.
“It doesn’t have to be a crisis or a big deal for a student to stop by,” Simpson said. “It can be anything going on where they feel like they need support.”
Simpson also emphasized she is available to speak to classes and student organizations upon request. To contact Simpson, call 512-471-0392.
For more information on the CARE program or CMHC, visit www.cmhc.utexas.edu/. For students in need of emergency counseling, the CMHC Crisis Line is open 24/7 at 512-471-2255.