Counseling Services

Counseling Services at the College of Coastal Georgia offers individual counseling with a focus on helping students eliminate barriers to academic success.

College students normally experience many changes during their time at school. The pressures they experience may result from such things as academic, social, emotional, career, developmental, financial, or spiritual concerns, and can lead to many types of feelings such as confusion, anxiety, or depression.

Counseling is a process by which students receive assistance from trained, experienced professionals who are knowledgeable about the types of problems students may face.

Make an Appointment

Students seeking personal counseling must be currently attending class at the time counseling is sought. Students requiring or requesting long-term or intensive therapy will be referred to off-campus providers and support groups as appropriate.

To make an appointment, please use the following contact information:

owbs@ccga.edu or 912.280.7800, select option 2

You can also book an appointment directly through your student portal.

Resources
CONNECT@CoastalGeorgia

We are pleased to announce a partnership with Uwill, the leading student mental health and wellness solution. Uwill offers students free immediate access to teletherapy, as well as on-demand wellness programming through its easy-to-use online platform.

Teletherapy:

  • Students can schedule an immediate teletherapy appointment with a licensed counselor based on needs and preferences.
  • Choose a therapist based on immediacy, gender, language, focus area.
  • Select a time that works best, with day, evening, and weekend appointments.
  • Create your profile and get started in minutes.

Crisis Support

  • If a student is experiencing a mental health crisis, Uwill provides a direct connection to a licensed counselor trained in trauma.
  • Help is available 24/7/365 by calling 912.280.7800. Select option 2.
  • If you are having a medical emergency, please call 911.

Wellness:

  • Students can access free, on-demand wellness programming on the Uwill platform.
  • Select “wellness” from the left navigation.
  • Relax and recharge your mind and body with yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and more!
Common Issues

Some common issues students struggle with include:

  • Homesickness
  • Roommate conflicts
  • Academic problems
  • Stress/Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Relationship concerns
  • Time management issues
  • Family concerns
  • Uncertainty about the future
  • Sleeping difficulties
  • Concentration difficulties
  • Eating concerns
  • Self-confidence issues
  • Grief/loss
Confidentiality

Information shared with a counselor will be kept confidential. Information or records will not be shared with anyone without written permission from the student, except for under the circumstances identified below. Limits to confidentiality include:

  • The student is under the age of 18
  • The student threatens harm to themselves or someone else
  • There is knowledge of sexual or physical abuse to a child
  • There is a court order mandating the release of the records
  • The student has signed a written release to share information

counseling@ccga.edu or 912-279-5803

What to Expect/Not Expect

What to expect from counseling:

  • Identification of ways to cope with individual problems
  • Opportunity to talk to a person in a safe, non-judgmental environment
  • Emotional support
  • Assistance with making healthier choices

What not to expect from counseling:

  • Magical solutions
  • Judgmental advice
  • The counselor to “fix” the problem
Book an Appointment at the Health Center

CLICK HERE TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT AT THE HEALTH CENTER

Elaine Latimer-Tandy

Elaine Latimer-Tandy, LPC, CPCS, CCTP II, BC-TMH

Elaine Latimer-Tandy is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 15 years of experience in the mental health field, providing individual, family, crisis, and couples counseling. She provides video counseling for the students at the College and owns a private practice where she specializes in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, Anxiety, Grief & Loss, also facilitating continuing education workshops on mental health disorders to other therapists for licensing.

Laura Smith-Brese

Meet Laura Smith-Brese

Laura Smith-Brese is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years of experience providing counseling to individuals and groups. Laura has worked with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and having varied identities. Laura loves helping individuals reach goals for improved mental health. She has a passion for helping individuals struggling with anxiety and trauma as well as helping those struggling with adjusting to changes and improving their mood. Laura has been with the College of Coastal Georgia since March of 2022.

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