The Rice Counseling Center is currently offering services in-person and by video, often referred to as "telehealth." Telehealth services are confidential and effective, and students will receive the same individualized care as meeting in person.
Initial Assessment
To begin services, students will talk with a RCC clinician for an initial intake over the telephone. This 45 minute interview is to determine the nature and scope of the students concern, appropriateness for telehealth services, as well as to help develop the most appropriate plan of services. After the initial interview, the student will be referred to a RCC clinician for short-term therapy, additional Rice University services, or they may be referred into the community for long-term therapy or open-ended therapy.
Short-term Therapy
A RCC clinical staff member will make an assessment and determine how to best address your concerns. During each session, the clinician and student will work together one-on-one and explore the student's concerns and/or challenges. Together, they will determine the number and frequency of the sessions. All clinicians are able to assist in assessment and treatment and are assigned to students based on availability and the nature of the problem.
Referrals
In certain circumstances, it may be determined that your needs would be better served by other resources, especially if you require long-term or specialized treatment. Generally, a clinician will assess your needs during the initial interview to determine appropriate referrals for off-campus services. Information about referrals is confidential.
Psychiatric Services
Students first meet with one of the RCC clinicians before being referred to the RCC psychiatrist. Once the referral is made, the student will meet with the licensed board-certified psychiatrist. Students utilizing our psychiatric services will also need to be involved in individual therapy with a RCC clinician. If a student is only seeking medication management, the care coordination manager will help students find off-campus psychiatric referrals.
Group Counseling
Support groups and theme-centered therapy groups offer a safe environment in which students can gain greater self-awareness, interpersonal sensitivity and skills and will have the opportunity to work on problem solving as well as a variety of other issues which the group decides to focus on. Groups typically meet for 60-90 minutes once a week throughout the semester and are led by RCC clinicians.
RCC's Commitment to Diversity
The RCC staff values and embraces the diversity of the student body. All students regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, socioeconomic class, age, political beliefs, and religious spiritual beliefs are welcome at the RCC.
Educational Materials and Presentations
The RCC has a range of material on mental health issues. The RCC provides informational flyers and have identified web-based materials that students may find useful, and staff members periodically present on a variety of topics throughout the academic year.
Consultation for Faculty, Staff, Parents and Students
We are guided by the professional standards and ethics of our diverse mental health disciplines. The RCC encourages the Rice community to consult with a member of our team if they are concerned or worried about a student. We can consult on a variety of issues pertaining to the overall wellbeing of both undergraduate and graduate students. Consultations are scheduled by calling the main number during business hours.
Excuse Note and Accommodation Letter Policy
Rice Counseling Center utilizes a "No Note" policy. We do not issue medical excuse notes for academic deficiencies, including letters for academic accommodations. In the event of illness or injury expected to result in significant academic disruption, the student is advised to contact their professor(s) as soon as possible to notify them of the anticipated delay. Whether the disruption is a missed test, a late assignment, or absence from class, early notification of the professor is very important.
Why we do this
This well-received and successful policy was adopted in 1998 by Student Health Services and in 2026 by Rice Counseling Center for these reasons:
- Rice’s Honor System is deeply valued. Misrepresenting one’s health is considered a breach of that trust. At the same time, students are encouraged to take their well-being seriously. Only the student can truly assess how their health is affecting their ability to meet academic responsibilities. This requires honest self-reflection, thoughtful decision-making, and personal accountability, while recognizing that caring for one’s mental and physical health is an important part of that responsibility.
- The academic relationship between the student and professor must remain in the classroom. The professor is in the best position to know the student and to judge the student's academic performance. The clinicians at Rice Counseling Center cannot function as independent, omniscient arbitrators regarding whether a student feels too ill to do their work.
- The Rice Counseling Center provides short-term, solution-focused therapy services. Due to the limited number of sessions available, clinicians do not have sufficient time to conduct the comprehensive evaluations required by best practices for academic accommodations. Students seeking such assessments are encouraged to request referrals for appropriate testing and additional support services.
Exceptions
In cases of medical conditions causing severe academic disruption (e.g., withdrawal from school, taking an incomplete, or dropping classes), appropriate documentation will be furnished to the Committee on Examinations and Standings if requested by the student. In all cases, strict patient confidentiality will be followed.