Mental Health Counseling Center

The Mental Health Counseling Center provides confidential, compassionate, and culturally informed support to all currently enrolled Huston-Tillotson University students. College can be challenging, and we are here to help you navigate stress, relationships, mental health concerns, and life transitions.

Whether you’re seeking personal growth, emotional support, or coping strategies, the Counseling Center is committed to helping you achieve balance, resilience, and emotional wellness.

Sandra Joy Anderson Health & Wellness Center
1705 East 11th Street
Austin, TX

Office Hours
Monday – Friday
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

To schedule an appointment:
📧 Email: thawkins@htu.edu
You must be a currently enrolled student to receive counseling services.

Once you email, you will receive an Intake Form and instructions for your first appointment.

Director, Counseling and Consultation Center
Sandra Joy Anderson Health & Wellness Center
📧 Email: thawkins@htu.edu

We pledge to provide respectful, competent, and compassionate care to every Huston-Tillotson University student.

Counseling offers a safe, private, and supportive space to explore feelings, behaviors, and experiences that may be troubling you. Through counseling, students can:

• Gain self-awareness
• Identify underlying issues
• Develop effective coping strategies
• Find solutions to challenges
• Create a plan for personal and emotional success

Counseling is completely CONFIDENTIAL and PRIVATE.

Everyone can benefit from counseling. Students are encouraged to seek support if they are experiencing:

• Stress, anxiety, or depression
• Academic concerns (procrastination, focus issues, test anxiety)
• Relationship problems
• Adjustment issues, including homesickness or loneliness
• Self-harm thoughts or concerns about harming others
• Alcohol or drug misuse
• Traumatic experiences (including sexual abuse or PTSD)
• Grief and loss
• Confusion, negative thinking, or emotional overwhelm

The Counseling Center offers a full range of therapeutic services, including:

• Individual Counseling
• Group Counseling
• Couples Counseling
• Referrals to community mental health providers
• Mental health resources for students, faculty, and staff

During your first appointment:

1. You will complete an intake form (request this by emailing thawkins@htu.edu).
2. You’ll meet with the counselor to discuss your concerns, needs, and goals.
3. Sessions typically last 45–50 minutes.

This session helps the counselor better understand how to support you and whether additional services may be helpful.

Because the Counseling Center experiences high demand, we ask that students:

• Cancel or reschedule appointments at least 24 hours in advance
• Contact the office promptly if they cannot attend

If a student misses multiple appointments:

• They may be asked to meet with the Director before scheduling additional sessions
• Continued missed appointments may result in referral to community providers

Our goal is to ensure that all students have fair access to services.

Reaching out is a sign of strength. Whether you’re dealing with stress, emotional pain, or simply want someone to talk to, the Counseling Center is here to support you.