Frequently Asked Questions
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions on a variety of topics. If you have additional questions, please contact us.
Categories
How Does It Work?
A: TimelyCare is a virtual health and wellness platform available 24/7 for Santa Fe College students. You can be treated for common physical ailments and also speak to a mental health provider about whatever’s on your mind. You can also schedule Telehealth appointments.
A: Any enrolled Santa Fe College student can use TimelyCare.
A: Go to timelycare.com/sfcollege or download the TimelyCare app. You can also scan the QR code below to access care.
A: There is no cost to enrolled Santa Fe College students.
A: With TimelyCare, you will have free 24/7 access to providers from anywhere in the United States, regardless of your insurance status. So, you’ll never have to spend time or money looking for care—whether you’re on or off campus.
A: Yes, if the provider deems it clinically appropriate.
Questions About SF Counseling Center
A: 3000 NW 83 St, Gainesville, FL 32606; Building R, Room 227
A: 8:15 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
A: In emergencies, call 911. For non-emergency situations, use your TimelyCare app or call 833-4-Timely. For crisis support, students can also dial 988.
A: The Counselors have weekly hours at the Centers and are available to meet with students by appointment or walk-in. Online students can meet with a Counselor in person or virtually. We do see dual-enrolled students, but if they are under 18 years of age, we ask for a signed consent form.
A: Yes, the SF Counseling Center provides free services to students actively enrolled in the current semester. Limited services are available to students who were enrolled in the most recently completed semester, as long as they have not graduated. Limited services are also offered to new or returning students planning to enroll for the next semester.
A: The staff at the Counseling Center is here to support you. You can talk to a licensed mental health professional in our office, by telephone, or through Zoom video sessions. To schedule an appointment, students can call 352-395-5508, or stop by the center and schedule an appointment at the front desk.
A: The Counseling Center has walk-in hours, Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
A: Absolutely! If you bring someone, make sure it’s someone you feel safe talking around—and someone you trust to keep what’s said during the session confidential.
A: Our staff includes various professionals. Visit our webpage and click “Contact” to read the bios of our current staff and find their areas of expertise. You can request appointments with the provider of your choice.
A: Counselors at the Santa Fe College Counseling Center abide by the ethical codes of their respective professional organizations and the legal statutes of the State of Florida governing their profession. In keeping with these standards, counselors will respect and maintain your privacy. However, a counselor may be required to break confidentiality if there is a clear and immediate probability of physical harm to the client/student or others, if there is a report of child abuse, or if there is a report of elder abuse. Specific details of confidentiality are covered during the initial intake, and students are always encouraged to speak with a counselor if they have any questions.
A: The first time you visit, you will sign in on our computer, and then wait for the next available Counselor if you are a walk-in or your scheduled Counselor (if you have an appointment). Once you are with your Counselor, the two of you will discuss your reasons for visiting the Counseling Center, as well as your concerns and goals for counseling. The two of you will discuss ways to begin achieving these goals. Your conversations will be unique to you and your situation.
A: The Counseling Center does not have a set number of appointments for students. The number of appointments and frequency of visits will depend on your specific needs and goals.
A: We do not require students to maintain an appointment schedule and are available to see students only once, if that’s what works for you. However, we encourage students to recognize the value of routine mental healthcare, since we view mental wellness much like going to the gym to stay physically fit.
A: Yes, if the provider deems one is necessary. Provider visit fees are dependent on the provider’s policies and fee schedules.
What's Wrong With Me?
A: The short answer is, nothing. The long answer is, everyone asks this question at one time or another during the course of their life. Maybe when they’ve bombed a test they should have passed; maybe when they make a silly mistake at work and the boss dings them for it; maybe when their parents are always on their case about something. But in complex situations, where mental health issues are involved, it’s tempting to blame ourselves and feel like something is “wrong” with us. We’re human like everybody else. Our brain might be different, but that doesn’t make it wrong…or bad. However, if you want to change the way you experience life, you’re always welcome to visit the SF Counseling Center. There’s nothing wrong with that either.
A: It’s hard to say without knowing specifics, but generally speaking, everyone’s predisposed by genetics to be certain way. This is the “nature” part of the “nature vs. nurture” theory you learn about in college. Rarely do people ask, “Why do I have brown eyes?” or “Why do I have blonde hair?” We just chalk it up to our DNA. And when we see a doctor about a physical ailment, and they explain it’s because of our DNA or an injury or our environment, we accept their response and follow the suggested treatment. Can’t it be the same with mental ailments? Maybe it’s DNA; maybe it has to due with our childhood environment or an injury/trauma of some kind. The good news is, you’re not to blame—and there’s help. A licensed professional can give a more specific answer for your situation.
A: No. Rest assured that there is help available. While there might not be a cure, there is comfort. While there might not ever be a time that the memory of the trauma or the loss isn’t present, you will be able to create a bit of distance so that it’s easier to breathe, and live. While you might always be tempted to take that drink or self-harm, you can find coping mechanisms or medications that help you choose a better path—the path to wellness.
A: Yes! There is so much LIFE waiting for you. Right now, you might be too tired or confused or overwhelmed to do much. So let’s start with these 3 steps: 1) Be kind to yourself. 2) Visit the SF Counseling Center or call TimelyCare at 833-484-6359 for immediate help. 3) Don’t make any big decisions or drastic moves until you’re feeling better.
General Questions About Mental Health
A: Finally, doctors and scientists and teachers and everyday people are realizing that the brain is part of the body and needs to be studied and treated with care the same way the heart and lungs and other vital organs are. And, thankfully, the phrase is changing from “mental illness” to “mental health” to help erase the stigma that once prevented people from seeking care. We often use the phrase “physical health” to encompass so many positive actions and states of being…it’s time we start doing the same with the mind. After all, the mind and body are connected—and, together, affect every area of life.
A: We’re not sure, except maybe because of outdated stigmas and non-scientific beliefs around certain illnesses. Also, the brain has higher computational power efficiency than a computer, and yet (comparatively) there’s been very little research done on the brain. Thankfully, that’s starting to change, but progress can be agonizingly slow sometimes. Almost everyone agrees that we should proactively take care of our physical health—to enjoy life more, to feel happier, and to prevent disease. The same is true of our mental health. Not everyone will experience a mental illness, but we can all take care of our mental health.
A: Not always. Many mental health issues are treatable and resolve over time. However, just like some physical health issues are permanent, so are some mental illnesses. Still, there are therapies and medications that help manage them to improve quality of life. It’s important to remain on medications, even if feeling better, until a doctor oversees the weaning process. Sometimes, it’s the medication making it seem like the illness is gone, and stopping (or quitting cold-turkey) could be harmful.
A: This question shows you’re thinking—and you’re smart. Both are good signs. We can’t answer this for you, but we can applaud the fact that you recognize your mental health needs. We also applaud the fact that you want to complete your education. We suggest you talk to a few people before you decide: the Counseling Center for mental health support, your Academic Advisor about taking time off, and the financial aid office (if applicable) to see how any loans or payments would be affected. Then you can make a decision that feels right to you and makes sense to your health providers.
Stress & Anxiety
A: It’s normal to feel stressed during stressful situations. In fact, it’s part of the body’s biological defense mechanism to release cortisol as a warning so we know to act. Commonly called the “flight or fight” response, the feelings of stress are useful if we channel the adrenaline into a healthy behavior that works to remove the stressor from our life. But too much stress at one time, or prolonged stress that doesn’t dissipate when the stressor is gone, can become a problem. If you’ve been feeling stressed out, visit the Counseling Center.
A: Only a doctor can tell you for sure, but the body can feel symptoms of panic without it being a panic attack. Some people would call this “nerves,” albeit an extreme case. More Americans are afraid of public speaking than they are of snakes, so sweaty palms, upset stomach, flushed skin, stammering, dizziness, shaking…these are commonly felt before a big speech, test, or game. In contrast, panic attacks happen without warning, when there is no apparent cause. While uncomfortable, they are not inherently dangerous. If they disrupt your quality of life, visit our Counseling Center.
A: There are various ways to treat anxiety, depending on the type of anxiety and the root cause. Self-care such as breathing exercises, meditation, and healthy lifestyle choices are helpful, but anxiety disorders may also require medication. If anxiety is holding you back from life’s daily functions, then it’s definitely time to seek professional advice and find the best solution for you.
Depression
A: Sometimes, it’s really hard to tell. A primary care physician will likely perform a physical exam, ask about symptoms, and recommend a blood test to determine if another condition, such as hypothyroidism, is causing the symptoms. If they don’t find an underlying cause, they will probably perform a psychological evaluation. A licensed counselor will likely ask you to fill out depression screening that asks questions about mood, energy level, sleep patterns, appetite, focus, and thoughts of self-harm or suicide. To better answer your question, visit the SF Counseling Center.
A: We’re sorry to hear how you’re feeling; we know it’s hard to handle such heavy days. You are fortunate to have people around you who notice and care enough to worry. Yes, you should get help. We invite you to visit our Counseling Center or to call TimelyCare at 833-484-6359 for immediate support. We understand that reaching out might feel like one. more. thing. to. do. on an already impossible list, but we’re here to help you feel better. We hope to see you soon.
A: Uncontrollable crying can be due to many different factors. People cry a lot when sad things are happening in their life. It’s the body’s natural “relief valve,” and when we don’t let our tear ducts have their way, the body often finds other ways “to cry” and “let it out.” It’s normal to cry a lot after a breakup, the loss of a loved one, when we don’t make the team or get into our top program, or our beloved pet crosses the rainbow bridge. But if you can’t stop crying—or you can’t sleep, think, eat, or complete other tasks necessary for life—please visit the SF Counseling Center. We’ll sit and listen and have tissues ready.
A: Both. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep and in consistent, regular intervals that support the body’s natural circadian rhythms. If you’re getting too much sleep, or unable to get out of bed, that could be a sign of depression. Loss of interest could also be a sign of depression. So even if you get more sleep, talk to a campus counselor too. We’re here to help.
Trauma
A: If not properly processed, trauma can “hang around” in the body and manifest in symptoms that seem entirely unconnected to the original trauma. These symptoms can certainly affect your life now, including your academic progress. Counseling now can help with past trauma, and there are methods that won’t require you to divulge details or rehash unpleasant memories. Counseling can also provide healthy coping mechanisms so you have alternative behaviors or thoughts to choose from when facing current problems.
A: Night terrors are, like the phrase says, terrifying. And, yes, they leave a person drained and distraught—they can also be dangerous during the night if one side effect involves sleepwalking. It will be very difficult to attend class or perform well on an exam in that condition. Seek help now. Visit the SF Counseling Center and the Accessibility Office to see what treatments, options, and accommodations are available.
A: The short answer is no. An effective counselor will never force you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable, and they will ask permission before taking any action or embarking down a path of conversation that could be triggering. If you suffer from PTSD symptoms, please visit the campus Counseling Center. You will find comfort, support, safety, and avenues to treatment and recovery.
A: Yes. You can talk around the issue, or you can clearly talk about the assault without being required to divulge any information you don’t wish to discuss. However, if a counselor learns that the assault is ongoing domestic violence or involves the abuse of a minor, they are required by law to report the case to the state of Florida for the protection and prosecution of those involved.
Body Image
A: Affirmation and validation are important. When someone listens to you—without judgement, without criticism, without shaming—it helps. Effective counselors offer unconditional positive regard, even without complete understanding of what it feels like to be you.
A: Without consistent proper nutrition (food and water), the body will suffer. Physically, organs will start to malfunction and tissue can break down. Mental health will be negatively affected too. An endocrinologist can help treat the kidney issue, but a licensed mental health counselor or psychiatrist might be better equipped to assist with the eating issues. Start with one step, one appointment, for the one most pressing thing. You will feel more accomplished, less overwhelmed, and in a better place to go from there.
A: No counselor worth their credentials will treat you like you’re a freak—they will treat you with dignity, as all humans deserve to be treated. Effective counselors will also help you find better ways to cope when you’re feeling flooded with overwhelming emotions or intrusive, catastrophic thoughts. As for reporting, that’s a great question to ask the front office when you book your appointment or to ask the counselor at the start of your first session.
A: Absolutely. The SF Counseling Center is a safe place for you to be yourself. Your counselor will listen to what you want to reveal about your identity and will not out you to your family or your peers. Everyone needs a safe space, where they can freely exhale and relax. That’s what the Counseling Center is for—book an appointment. We look forward to meeting the real YOU.