Scheduling

Hours of Availability

Appointments are available Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and most Fridays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please note that currently the Community Counseling Training Center (CCTC) does not operate from December 15 through January 15. Limited services are available between May 15 and September 1. Appropriate referrals will be made for all clients during such times.

Eligibility Criteria

Services are available for adolescents and adults (services for children are available on a limited basis). Clients must be willing and able to work toward mutually agreeable treatment goals and objectives.

Exclusionary Criteria

Counselors are not able to work with the following problems:

• Eating Disorders
• Personality Disorders identified as primary area of focus
• Chronic and persistent mental illness
• Long-term substance dependence and addiction
• Domestic violence
• Severe trauma
• Court-ordered counseling or evaluations

Requesting Services

To start or restart counseling services, complete the online request for services adult or minor client form.

• Stop by the CCTC to fill out the service request in Graham Hall, office suite 416, NIU, DeKalb, IL 60115.
• Or call the CCTC at 815-753-9312 to start your service request over the phone.

*For family or couples counseling, each member should complete a separate service request and check the box for interest in couples and/or family counseling.

First Visit

Please arrive approximately 15-20 minutes early for your first appointment. You will complete an intake assessment and then meet with an intake counselor for approximately 90 minutes. The intake counselor will listen to your concerns and assess your needs. If it is decided that you will attend ongoing counseling at the Community Counseling Training Center, you will be scheduled to meet with your counselor for the next week. Ongoing counseling appointments are approximately 50 minutes each week. This appointment time will be yours for as long as  you and your counselor deem it beneficial.

• Informed consent for CCTC counseling services (PDF) (read only)
• Consent for CCTC individual adult telehealth counseling services (PDF) (read only)
• Tips for engaging in telehealth counseling sessions (PDF)

Fees

Our services are free to all. We provide counseling services to NIU students, faculty, and staff, as well as to the local DeKalb community. We provide general evaluations, assist with relaxation techniques, self-esteem building skills, communication and relational skills, individual and relationship counseling, and the like. We are here to help. When appropriate, we can offer referrals. To make an appointment, phone 815-753-9312.

Parking

Need parking for your session? The NIU Parking Services facilitates several parking options for visitors to our center as well as students and staff on campus.

Free Bus Rides for Clients

Need a ride? Free bus passes are available to all CCTC clients, courtesy of the Voluntary Action Center in Sycamore! Find a bus route near you.