The NIU Counseling and Student Development Center has stopped giving new appointments for psychotherapy treatment except for emergency cases and continuing patients.

We are “not really turning (patients) away … but limiting what we can offer,” said Anna Beth Payne, Counseling and Student Development Center associate director.

Payne said emergency situations cannot be clearly defined, but could include feeling suicidal, experiencing a traumatic incident or feeling extremely overwhelmed.

The primary reason for limiting service to new patients is that more students want counseling than can be fit into available space, Payne said.

NIU students and graduate students are not charged for the services, which include individual and group psychotherapy, she said.

Gary Gresholdt, NIU assistant vice president for student affairs, said it is not uncommon for the counseling center to run out of appointments at the end of the year because many people schedule a series of appointments, leaving less time for new patients.

The center still has services open including those in the Career Resource Center, the Learning Assistance and Study Skills Center and help with substance abuse, she said.

There are currently one half-time and 11 full-time staff members, Payne said.

People not able to get assistance from the center are being referred to other campus therapists and to off-campus services, like family services agencies or private therapists, she said.

The therapists outside of NIU are usually covered under NIU’s health insurance plan and most other health plans, she said.

There is a waiting list at NIU Psychological Services, but there is a possibility of getting a new appointment, said Carol Yoken, Psychological Services Center director.

The center provides services for students, children and families, including biological feedback and group therapy. Services also are free to full-time NIU students.