Starting Therapy in College: What to Expect and How to Begin
By Corrin Sotala, M.S., LPC · March 27, 2026 · 9 min read
Starting therapy in college is one of the most useful things you can do for yourself, and you do not need to be in crisis to begin. If you're dealing with anxiety, loneliness, overwhelm, identity questions, or just a general sense that something feels off, therapy can help you build the skills to handle it now instead of carrying it into the next decade of your life.
I work with a lot of college students, and the first thing I want you to know is this: starting therapy is not an admission that you're broken. It's a decision to take yourself seriously. Most of my college-age clients say the same thing after a few sessions: "I wish I'd done this sooner."
Whether you're a student trying to figure this out on your own or a parent wondering if your kid needs more support than the campus counseling center can offer, this post will walk you through what starting therapy in college actually looks like.
Why Is College Such a Mental Health Pressure Cooker?
Because you're dealing with about twelve major life transitions simultaneously and everyone acts like it should be the best time of your life.
Think about what's actually happening. You left home. You're managing your own schedule, probably for the first time. You're surrounded by people you don't know yet, navigating new social dynamics, and trying to figure out who you are outside of your high school identity. You're under academic pressure that is measurably higher than anything you've experienced before. You might be questioning your major, your faith, your sexuality, your friendships, or your entire plan for the future.
And on top of all that, social media is showing you everyone else seemingly thriving while you're eating cereal at 2 a.m. wondering what's wrong with you.
Nothing is wrong with you. College is genuinely hard. The adjustment is real. The loneliness is real. The anxiety is real. And the fact that you're struggling doesn't mean you're doing it wrong. It means you're a human being navigating a huge amount of change with a brain that's still developing.
What's the Difference Between Campus Counseling and Private Therapy?
Most colleges have a counseling center, and it's a great place to start. It's typically free or very low cost, and the counselors understand the specific pressures of college life. If you've never done therapy before, the campus counseling center can be a solid first step.
But here's what you should know about the limitations:
Session limits. Most campus counseling centers cap you at somewhere between 6 and 12 sessions per academic year. If your issue is more than a short-term adjustment, you may need to be referred out before you're done.
Wait lists. Demand for campus counseling is high. Depending on the school, you might wait weeks to get an initial appointment. During peak stress times like midterms and finals, the wait can be even longer.
Counselor turnover. Many campus counselors are trainees or postdocs who rotate annually. You might build a relationship with someone and then lose them at the end of the semester.
Summer and breaks. Campus counseling typically stops when the semester ends. If you're dealing with something ongoing, that gap in support can be really disruptive.
Private therapy gives you consistency. You choose your therapist. You keep that therapist through breaks, summers, and after graduation. You're not limited to a set number of sessions. And you can find someone who specializes in exactly what you're dealing with, whether that's anxiety, people-pleasing, identity questions, or something else.
The two aren't mutually exclusive. You can use campus counseling as a starting point and move to private therapy when you want something deeper or more consistent.
How Do You Know If You Need More Than What the School Offers?
Here are some signs that private therapy might be the right next step:
- The campus wait list is too long and you need support now
- You've used your allotted sessions and you're not done
- Your counselor suggested you'd benefit from longer-term work
- You want someone who specializes in your specific issue
- You need continuity through breaks and summer
- You want the option of keeping the same therapist after you graduate
- You're dealing with something that feels bigger than a short-term adjustment
None of these mean there's something seriously wrong. They just mean you need more than a short-term, limited-session model can provide. That's not a failure of the system or of you. It's just a fit issue.
Not sure where to start?
I offer a free 15-minute consultation. We can talk about what you're going through and I'll help you figure out the right next step, even if that step isn't working with me.
What Does the First Therapy Session Actually Look Like?
This is the question I get asked most, because the unknown is the scariest part. So here's exactly what happens.
Before the session: You'll fill out some intake paperwork. It asks about your history, what you're hoping to work on, and some basic health information. It's straightforward and private.
The first few minutes: We talk. I'll introduce myself, explain how therapy works with me specifically, and answer any questions you have. I know this part can feel awkward. That's normal. I'll do the heavy lifting conversationally until you settle in.
The middle: I'll ask you some questions about what brought you in. You don't have to have a polished answer or a clear diagnosis. "I don't know, I just feel off" is a perfectly valid starting point. We'll explore what's going on together. I'm not going to sit silently and stare at you waiting for you to talk. That's not how I work.
The end: We'll recap what we talked about, and I'll share my initial thoughts on what might be helpful. If I think we're a good fit, I'll suggest a plan. If I think someone else would serve you better, I'll tell you that honestly and help with a referral.
The first session is really just a conversation. You're not committing to anything. You're seeing if this feels right. And if it doesn't? That's okay. Finding the right therapist sometimes takes a couple of tries, and there's no shame in that.
How Does Telehealth Work for College Students Away From Home?
This is one of the biggest advantages of working with a private therapist who offers telehealth. You don't have to be in the same city to get consistent care.
Here's how it works. Therapists are licensed by state, which means I can only see clients who are physically located in a state where I hold a license at the time of the session. I'm licensed in Wisconsin, South Carolina, Washington, and Delaware.
So if you're a Wisconsin student attending college in South Carolina, or a Delaware student home for summer in Wisconsin, I can see you in both places. You keep the same therapist, the same relationship, the same momentum, regardless of where the semester takes you.
All you need is a private space (your dorm room with the door closed works) and a reliable internet connection. Sessions happen over a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. It's as close to in-person as you can get without being in the room.
For students who are in the Elm Grove area, in-person sessions are always an option too. Some clients do a mix: in-person when they're nearby, telehealth when they're on campus.
How Do Insurance and Cost Work for College Students?
I know cost is a real barrier for college students, so I want to be straightforward about how this works.
If you're on a parent's insurance: Most health insurance plans allow dependents to stay covered until age 26. If your parent's plan includes mental health coverage, which most do, it can cover therapy sessions. Check whether the plan covers out-of-network providers, as this determines whether you'll pay the full rate upfront and get reimbursed, or whether the insurance pays the therapist directly.
At Bright Day Wellness: Sessions are $185. I accept BlueCross BlueShield/Anthem and Dean Health PPO as in-network providers. For all other insurance plans, I provide superbills that you can submit to your insurance for out-of-network reimbursement. Many clients get a significant portion of the session cost back this way. You can find more details on my rates and insurance page.
If cost is a concern: The campus counseling center is free and remains a great option for budget-conscious students. Some students use campus counseling during the semester and private therapy during breaks. Others save private therapy for specific issues they want focused help with. There's no wrong way to use the resources available to you.
A note about privacy on a parent's plan: If you're 18 or older, your therapy is confidential, even if your parents are paying for it or you're on their insurance. By law, a therapist cannot share what you discuss with your parents without your written consent. The only information your parents might see is an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from the insurance company, which typically shows that a service was billed but not the content of sessions.
How Do You Actually Start?
You've read this far, which means you're at least thinking about it. Here's what the next steps look like if you decide to move forward:
1. Check your insurance. Call the number on the back of your card and ask if mental health services are covered, whether telehealth is included, and whether Bright Day Wellness or Corrin Sotala is in-network. Or skip this step and just reach out to me. I can help you figure it out.
2. Book a free consultation. I offer a free 15-minute call for new clients. It's a chance to tell me what's going on, ask any questions, and see if we're a good fit. No pressure, no commitment.
3. Show up for your first session. That's it. You don't need to have your life figured out. You don't need to know what you want to work on. You just need to show up. I'll handle the rest.
If you're a parent reading this for your college student, you can book the consultation on their behalf or forward them this page. Sometimes having a parent say "I found someone who might be good" is the nudge that makes the difference.
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