FAQ and Resources

FAQs 

  • Call the Counseling Center at (806) 371-5900. Please leave a voicemail providing your name, student ID, and a callback number. Staff will reach out to find the best day and time for an appointment.
  • Come by the Counseling Center during school hours. We are located on the second floor of the Student Services Center in room 228 on the Washington Street Campus.
  • Send an email to accounseling@actx.edu using your AC school email address and provide your name, student ID, and a callback number. Staff will reach out to find the best day and time for an appointment.
  • For emergencies or immediate services, please call the Amarillo College Police Department at (806) 371-5911 or 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

The Counseling Center is open during Amarillo College's operating hours. During Fall/Spring semesters, we are open from 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday. During Summer semesters, we are open 7:30am to 5:00pm Monday through Thursday and from 7:30am to 12:00pm on Fridays. We observe the same holidays and events as the rest of Amarillo College and do not operate during these hours.

All currently enrolled Amarillo College students have access to Counseling Center services, though eligibility for each unique service varies depending upon student needs, circumstances and enrollment details. To learn more about what services would be best for you, please  click here to make an appointment or contact us at (806) 371-5900. TimelyCare services are available to students enrolled in a Level I or Level II certificate program or an associate degree program at Amarillo College. Students in dual credit or continuing education classes will not be eligible for TimelyCare.

The Counseling Center has an obligation to provide services to all Amarillo College students and, as such, has a limited pool of available sessions; therefore, we strongly encourage consistent attendance not only to ensure your individual progress but that of other students as well. We ask if you are unable to attend your appointment or happen to be running late, please notify us at (806) 371-5900 as soon as possible in order to best serve our students. Failing to notify of an absence less than 24 hours in advance will be considered a no-show.  Notifying less than 2 hours prior to an appointment will be considered a late cancellation." After two no-shows or late cancellations, the Counseling Center will be obligated to reassess your treatment plan, which may include change in scheduled appointment times or referrals to other services outside of the Counseling Center. In the event that appointments must be cancelled due to attendance, students will be provided additional resources and referrals.

Sessions typically last between 45 and 50 minutes for individual services. Group sessions may last between 45 and 90 minutes.

All services are free to currently enrolled Amarillo College students.

The Counseling Center protects your privacy and confidentiality to the extent that the law allows and in accordance with Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 611 and Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, Subchapter C, Code of Ethics. Per legal guidelines, limits of confidentiality include: an imminent risk to self or others; evidence of child, elderly, or other dependent abuse; a court order for records. If you have any questions about this, please contact the Counselor Center at (806) 371-5900 and ask to speak to a licensed professional about confidentiality. Confidentiality is reviewed and consent obtained prior to sessions.

The Counseling Center does not do full assessments required by disability services or other services. We will connect you with referrals and information as to where these extensive evaluations may be conducted.

The Counseling Center does not meet the requirements for counseling as contracted by probation, court-ordered, Child Protective Sources, or other governmental entity. We do not do forensic evaluations or represent students in court.  Students who have these ongoing requirements may access our services as any other service, but they cannot satisfy legal requirement and require consultation with any ongoing therapy providers involved.

We expect students to use counseling to their fullest ability because true change, growth, and awareness are dependent upon honest and engaged work of the student in counseling. Counseling is an active process that requires effort. We also expect sufficient notice if you are unable to attend appointments so that we may maintain our commitment to all of our students.

If a student is under 18 years of age, the Counseling Center will need to obtain informed consent from a legal guardian and assent from the student before an appointment.  Exceptions to this rule apply in accordance with Texas State Law Family Code 32.003, Family Code 32.004, and Health and Safety Code 572.001(a).

Clinical services in the Counseling Center are provided by a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, or Licensed Masters Social Worker. Interns and clinicians under provisional licensure are supervised by Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisors, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, and/or Licensed Psychologists. During the initial assessment clinicians will assign a counselor based upon student and counselor availability, clinical presentation, and counselor expertise. Counselors accessed through TimelyCare are all independently licensed professionals, and students may browse and select a clinician that matches their availability and preferences.

 

Resources

Important Mental Health Resources for the Amarillo Area

Crisis:
  1. Amarillo College Police Department: 806-371-5911. Ask for a Mental Health Trained Officer.
  2. Texas Panhandle Center Hotline: 806-359-6699 or 1-800-692-4039 (toll free). Ask about getting the services of a Mobile Crisis Outreach Team.
  3. 911, ask for a Crisis Intervention Team Officer.
Psychiatric Hospital: 

The Pavilion of Northwest Hospital: 1501 S Coulter St, Amarillo, 806-354-1810 or 1-800-341-7375

Mental Health Screening and Psychiatric/Caseworker Services:

Texas Panhandle Centers: 1501 S. Polk St, Amarillo, 806-337-1000

Affordable Counseling (sliding scale fee):

Family Support Services: 1001 S Polk St, Amarillo, 806-342-2500

Free Medical Clinic:

Heal the City: 604 S. Tennessee Ave, Amarillo, 231-0364

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Help/Support:
Free Legal Help:
  1. Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, Amarillo Petroleum Building, 203 W. 8th Ave #600, 806-373-4309
  2. AC Legal Clinic, 806-345-5551
Free Peer-Support Program with Social/Educational Activities:

Amarillo Mental Health Consumers Agape Center, 1401 S. Polk St (inside Polk St. United Methodist Church), 4th Floor, Amarillo, 806-373-7030; free peer support groups, classes, activities.

Free Peer-Support Groups and Classes through Texas Panhandle Centers (TPC):

Call 806-351-3268. Offered at TPCs Respite Center at 2002 Hardy St., Amarillo

Housing Help:
  1. Downtown Womens Center: 806-372-3625;
  2. TPC PATH Program: 806-337-1000
  3. HUD: (806) 342-6154, 806-372-2531
Help Getting a Job with Supportive Employers:

TX Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), 5809 S. Western St., Ste 255 Amarillo, TX 79110, 806-351-3833

Need other resources?

Search for other available resources in the Texas Panhandle through Panhandle Behavioral Health Alliance. 

Contact Us

Washington Street Campus, Student Services Center, 228
2201 S. Washington St.
Amarillo, TX 79109
Fax: (806) 345-5661

Office Hours

Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Emergency Contact Information

If you are experiencing an emergency situation, please call one of the following:

  • 911 – National Emergency Hotline
  • 988 – Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
  • (806) 371-5911 – Amarillo College Police Emergency

AC EVENTS