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Counseling Services

Counseling Services

Let’s Talk!

We would love the opportunity to talk with you in person, chat over email or a phone call!
If you are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or struggling with classes, we want you to know it’s okay and we’re here for you! To schedule a phone appointment, call (865) 471-3350 or email us at counselingservices@cn.edu.

C-N Counseling Services supports the mission of Carson-Newman University to help all students enhance their personal growth to reach their full God given potential as educated citizens and worldwide servant leaders. An invaluable resource, counseling helps students handling stress stemming from emotional, social, or academic difficulties. Counseling Services offers individual, couples and group counseling, crisis intervention, psycho-educational counseling, as well as online mental health assessments and referrals to community resources. All appointments are free and confidential.

For Scheduling and/or Questions

Please call (865) 471-3350 or email counselingservices@cn.edu. Our offices are in the Kathleen Manley Building (aka Wellness Center). Our building is on the corner of Russell Avenue and Ken Sparks Way, which is across from the First Baptist Church and next to Burnett Hall.

Come relax in our building. Check out our relaxation rooms. We are located in the Kathleen Manley Building between Burnett Residence Hall and Tarr Music Center. To talk to, get information from or schedule an appointment or program please call 865-471-3350, email counselingservices@cn.edu.


If you or someone else are experiencing a potentially life-threatening emergency call 911 or go to the local Emergency Room. In the event that you need immediate assistance, please contact the 24/7 Department of Public Safety number (865) 548-9067; the backup cell phone number is (865) 389-9380. The closest Emergency Room to campus is Tennova’s Jefferson Memorial Hospital located at 110 Hospital Drive in Jefferson City, TN 37760. The hospital phone number is 865-471-2500.


Counseling is a confidential process that enables a person to grow in a way that s/he chooses. A counselor can be an additional resource, someone to just listen and provide extra support for you. Counseling Services will connect with, care for, and comfort students to enhance their success and well-being.

Counseling is for currently enrolled students and free of charge. Counseling Services is located in the Kathleen Manley Building (aka Wellness Center).

The length of each session and number of sessions varies with each student: based on goals wants and needs. Generally, participation is voluntary and the student may stop counseling whenever he/she is ready.

At your first contact with Counseling Services you will be asked to fill out a student information form and then schedule an appointment for an intake. When you arrive for your intake you can sit in any lobby area: front lobby where students seeing the nurse typically sit or Counseling Services lobby located by using the side door. Your counselor will greet you shortly and ask you to come to their office. The intake will include a description of program services, a discussion of the presenting issue(s), and a brief personal history of the student. After the intake you can expect to continue to meet with a counselor. The length of each session and number of sessions varies with each student and is based on their goals, wants, and needs.

During the initial session, the counselor and student work towards identifying and establishing goals to the issues that are affecting the student. The following talk sessions allow for the student to process what s/he is experiencing, monitor his/her progress, and receive extra support.

There are many factors involved in what makes counseling successful. Some factors are: student readiness and the right “fit” between client and counselor. No counselor can guarantee that counseling is going to be successful for anyone. However, it can be helpful to talk with a counselor about issues that are of concern to you and work on ways that will help you to feel better.

The main focus will be working towards the students personal goals. Issues commonly seen in counseling are (but not limited to): stress, family problems, depression, anxiety, relationships, eating disorders, substance abuse, sexual assault, grief/loss, self-esteem, academic difficulties and suicidal ideation.

Counseling sessions are confidential. Information about students is not released without the written permission of the student, including whether or not the student even walked into the office. Because of legal and ethical constraints, however, Counseling Services may release information without student approval if a life-threatening emergency exists, cases involving child/elder/persons with disability abuse or neglect, by subpoena or order of a judge, or as otherwise required by law.

To schedule an appointment a student can do any of the following: call 865-471-3350, email the counselors counselingservices@cn.edu or come by Counseling Services located in the Kathleen Manley Building next to Burnett residence hall. In the event one might suspect a potential life-threatening emergency students should call 911 and then 24/7 Department of public safety cell phone 865-548-9067. Hours of available appointments are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., with flexibility except during designated school holidays and/or school closings due to weather.