Your Initial Counseling Consultation will involve your counselor talking with you about the concerns that brought you in to counseling. This involves asking questions about your past and current life experiences, what coping strategies and self-care skills you have, what your goals for counseling are, as well as other questions pertaining to your situation. Your counseling session is confidential and your therapist will go over this with you in the first session. At the end of the session, you and your counselor will talk about what your ‘next steps’ could be. Your counselor will work collaboratively with you and will listen respectfully to your unique concerns. If you feel your counselor is not the right fit for you, you can change counselors by talking to your counselor directly about this or by talking to the Counseling Front Office Assistant at 243-4712.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Counseling Services has remained committed to providing the same quality of care in a safe, secure and confidential manner as we always have. 

In-Person Appointments  

• If you are sick on the day of your appt, do not come in for your in-person appointment. Call the Front Desk to get rescheduled – 406-243-4712.
• When you come to the Counseling Office, stop in the foyer and check in on one of the computer kiosks. 

How to Prepare for Tele-Counseling

• Instructions on joining a Zoom appointment via your phone, tablet or computer.
• Technology can be unreliable, in which case we can use the phone as a backup.
• You will need to have a private area with reliable technology and internet. We have "Zoom Rooms" at our clinic if you are experiencing privacy, safety or technology concerns. Just let us know.
• Safety plan: On occasion, we may need to assist someone with crisis stabilization or transportation to a hospital or crisis house. You will need a trusted person's phone and address who is located in the same city you'll be during your appointment(s), and the location of the nearest emergency department. You will enter these on the tele-counseling informed consent form.

Getting Started

• Schedule an initial visit on the CHC Health Portal or by calling us (406-243-4712). If you prefer a phone counseling session, please call us directly. There is no charge for your first appointment.
• We will send you an email with a Zoom link and instructions prior to the day of your appointment.
• On the day of the appointment, please log into the CHC Health Portal and complete the appropriate intake forms, which takes approximately 15-20 minutes.
• Be sure you have a private and safe location for your session. Your counselor will ask for your address. Driving is not permitted.
• In your first session, your counselor will address any questions or concerns you may have.

Tele-Counseling Phone Option

• The counselor will call you at the time of your appointment using the phone number you provided.
• This number may appear as "University" or "restricted" on your caller ID.
• The counselor will attempt to contact you for the first 10 minutes of the session. If you haven't heard from them, please call the CHC receptionist at 243-4712 for instructions.