Counseling & Wellness Center

Counseling Services

The University of St. Francis encourages the establishment of lifestyle behaviors that promote healthy living patterns consistent with our Franciscan values of respect, service, integrity and compassion. College students experience major transitional challenges in their lives upon enrolling into university. These issues may include, but are not limited to: adjustment to college life, anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, difficulty in family and social relationships, life challenges and transitions, stress/time management, eating disorders, grief and loss, and more.

Counseling services are provided free of charge to currently enrolled USF students. These services may be provided in person or via telehealth, as well as in an individual or group format depending on need and/or preference.

Counseling Center staff members are also available to provide consultation services, psycho-educational classroom presentations, and crisis management training workshops upon request throughout the academic year. All services offered by USF Mental Health Counselors are confidential, and release of confidential information may only be made with the written consent of the student.

Considering Counseling?

The following information is provided to help you gain a better understanding of what to expect and what not to expect when you decide to make the courageous decision to give counseling a try. 

It only works if you want to be here!  At times, students referred to our office feel as if they have been forced to come to counseling by parents or other concerned parties and are “unwilling participants.” Although we believe counseling can help anyone, you cannot grow or heal if you do not come in on your own accord. If you feel coerced into attending counseling, express your discomfort to your counselor and we can talk about it—please do not hold in your reluctance!

Counseling will not fix you.  YOU will fix you. Our job is to help you help yourself. The goal of counseling is to empower you with ways to deal with life issues, learn about triggers, unhelpful patterns, and build resiliency, so you can thrive rather than survive—and become your best you.

It’s not always rainbows and sunshine.  It’s likely you will feel much better after meeting with a counselor, but the journey requires you to be brave and fearless. Depending on what brought you in to counseling, it may be important to recall memories and experiences or change a behavioral style which can be trying, upsetting, even overwhelming. Being in counseling helps you feel better, but it’s beneficial to know that the journey can sometimes be bumpy. If you stick with and embrace the process, it’s likely you will be amazed with the end results!

Unrealistic expectations are unrealistic!  Change does not happen overnight. Nor does the development of insight or replacing old behaviors with new ones. It takes time and collaboration with your counselor to develop and work towards practical and realistic goals that are specific to your needs. As time progresses, you can review these targeted goals and redefine them if necessary.

It is (and is not) like talking to a friend.  Like a friend or family member, a counselor is a friendly, caring, interested person to talk to when you are experiencing life’s difficulties. Unlike a friend or family member, your counselor has been extensively trained to listen not only with the intent to understand and provide empathic support, but also with the goal to identify, explore, and clarify the experiences that negatively affect your wellbeing. Active listening and follow up questions assist your counselor in applying appropriate theory and techniques specific to your needs and goals. In addition, your counselor’s clinical objectivity, allows you to receive a balanced, unbiased frame of reference— something that often is blurred in other relationships.

Being comfortable with your counselor is REALLY important.  It takes time to get to know and trust your counselor, but sometimes personality differences, lack of connection, or other factors may be an indication of a “mismatch.” If this happens, it may be difficult for you to feel comfortable talking about personal issues and to feel safe letting go of fears or trying out new behaviors. If you don’t feel comfortable, it’s perfectly fine to request a different counselor. You will NOT be hurting your counselor’s feelings—we want the best for you and realize we cannot be everyone’s “cup of java.” We have a variety of counselors with unique styles available to meet with you and assist you in your positive growth and development.

Groups & Workshops

• DBT Skills Group 
• Grief/Loss Group 
• Students of Color Group 
• Coping with COVID group
• Mindfulness Workshop
• Masculinity Workshop
• Healthy Relationships
• Test Anxiety Workshop

Additional Resources

• The National Helpline: 822-662-HELP (4357)
• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800- 273-TALK (8255)
• Crisis Textline: Text “ITSOK” to 74174

Wellness Center

Health Records

• Student Health History/Physical Examination Form
• Student Health Requirements Checklist
• USF HIPPA Authorization Form

How to Submit Medical Records

We make it easy to submit your medical health records! You can either use your phone’s camera scanner application or your own scanner. Here are the steps to submit your records:

1. Take a picture of the document(s) and save it—please make sure the image is clear.
2. Log in to the MyUSF Portal and type “Submit Medical Records” in the Search bar. Click “Choose Files,” and select your document(s).
3. Upload your file(s). It must be JPG, PNG, TIFF, or PDF format.
4. Call the Wellness Center at 815-740-3399 if you have difficulty uploading or obtaining your medical records.

Please allow two business days for a copy of your health records. In compliance with privacy regulations, health records can only be given to students. Contact Phyllis Peterson at ppeterson@stfrancis.edu or 815 740-3864 regarding Health Records.

What To Do in the Event of Illness or Injury

• Student Athletes, click here.
• Click here here to find out more about returning to campus following a mental health or medical evaluation/hospitalization. USF Accidental Insurance is available for Joliet on-campus, commuter and international students and student athletes registered for 12 or more credit hours. (Exclusions: online students, graduate students and part-time students.) For additional information or to schedule an appointment call 815-740-3399.

University of St. Francis Health Insurance

• Student Insurance Waiver

All traditional, undergraduate students and international students are automatically enrolled for USF health insurance every year. Students can view/print detailed policy information and an insurance card from the website studentinsurance.com. While graduate students are not automatically enrolled, they are able to purchase student insurance upon request. Insurance brochures are available at the Wellness Center located on the second floor of Tower Hall, Room S213.

International students do have the option of waving the USF student health insurance, but your submitted insurance plan will be reviewed by our student health insurance provider (WellFleet) to make sure that the plan meets the minimum requirements. If the request is denied, WellFleet will follow up with you on how to request additions to your submitted plan for re-submission in the waiver process.

If you are a domestic traditional undergraduate and do not require USF insurance, you may waive it by completing an online insurance waiver form. This process must be completed every year to avoid school insurance charges. Reminders will be sent to USF student emails prior to the deadline. Note: there is no hard copy of this form.

For additional information or for assistance contact Mollie Rockafellow at mrockafellow@stfrancis.edu or 815 740-3381.

Student Insurance Waiver Details

How to Obtain Insurance Waiver?

• Login to Portal
• Go to For Students on Left side of Page
• Go to Tuition Bill Account Summary
  • Helpful Links
  • Student Insurance Waiver

How often do I have to complete the waiver?

• The waiver must be completed every spring and fall semester in order to avoid being charged for the USF Student Health Insurance plan on your tuition bill. Contact Mollie Rockafellow at mrockafellow@stfrancis.edu or 815 740-3381 for additional information on insurance.

When is the insurance waiver offered?

• The USF Student Health Insurance Waiver is offered at the beginning of the fall and spring semester.
• If a USF student does not have his/her/their medical health insurance information during registration and does not want the USF Student Health Insurance plan, he/she/they need to complete the USF Student Health Insurance Waiver process prior to the deadline.
• If a student is working on acquiring private insurance, he/she/they needs to provide the USF Wellness Center-Health Records proof of pre-coverage from his/her/their insurance company so it can be submitted for review and approval (prior to the waiver deadline).
• The approval period needs to be done prior to USF Health Insurance Waiver deadline. If proof of insurance cannot be produced by the deadline, then the student must select the USF Student Health Insurance plan.