The Counselor in Residence (CIR) program at UAB is a collaborative effort between Student Counseling Services (SCS) and Student Housing and Residence Life (SHRL) to increase access to mental health services by providing after-hours walk-in initial consultations with a clinical counselor. Intentionally placing a licensed clinical counselor within the residence hall is a proactive approach to decreasing barriers to mental health support and increasing the availability and ease of access to counseling services.
Blazers, Let's Talk! Drop-In Hours
Monday to Thursday 4:00-5:00 pm
Blazers, Let's Talk! Drop-in hour will resume on January 20th. If you require immediate assistance, please click here. If you need assistance, please contact Student Counseling services at 205-934-5816 to schedule an appointment. On-campus residents can also use Peer Chats for peer-to-peer support. Learn more about Peer Chats here.
Blazers, Let’s Talk is for on-campus residents only. If you are an off-campus student and would like to meet with a member of Student Counseling Services, click HERE to get started!
CIR Drop-in hours with not be available on:
January 19th: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
March 9th - 13th: Spring Break
Blazers, Let's Talk
This service is designed to engage residential students by providing after hours walk-in initial consultations with the Counselor in Residence to discuss concerns and needs to allow for brief assessment and discussion of recommendations for services to best meet identified needs and concerns.
Blazers, Let's Talk! Drop-In Hours
Blazers, Let's Talk! Drop-in hour will resume on January 20th. If you require immediate assistance, please click here. If you need assistance, please contact Student Counseling services at 205-934-5816 to schedule an appointment. On-campus residents can also use Peer Chats for peer-to-peer support. Learn more about Peer Chats here.
How it works: Blazers, Let's Talk is for on-campus residents only. Residents can access Blazers, Let's Talk by going to Camp Hall room 105. Residents will be seen individually on a first-come, first-served basis. No appointment needed. Wait times may vary as Blazers, Let's Talk drop-in sessions can last between 15 - 20 minutes.
For more about Let's Talk, read about its development HERE.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is Blazers, Let’s Talk?
Blazers, Let's Talk is a drop-in hour for on-campus students to meet one-on-one with a licensed counselor in the residence hall without the need to schedule an appointment or complete paperwork.
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Who will I be speaking to when I use Blazers, Let’s Talk?
You will meet with one of the Counselors-in-Residence, who are licensed counselors from Student Counseling Services.
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When and where is Blazers, Let’s Talk?
Blazers, Let’s Talk is 4 PM - 5 PM Mondays - Thursdays. It is held in the Camp Hall Counselor-in-Residence Office (Camp 105)
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Who might use Blazers, Let's Talk?
Anyone who is an on-campus student can utilize this resource. But this can include someone who is unsure or has questions regarding counseling services, not interested in ongoing counseling but seeking a counselor's perspective, have a specific problem looking for someone to talk, or have concerns about a friend and seeking guidance.
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Is what I talk about in Blazers, Let’s Talk confidential, even to my RAs, parents, and others in my life?
Everything shared will stay confidential. However, as the Counselors-in-Residence will discuss, there are limits to confidentiality.
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How long does Blazers, Let’s Talk last?
Blazers, Let's Talk is a first come, first serve resource. Most conversations last 15 to 30 minutes and focus on current concerns. The CIR will work with you to process, explore coping skills or additional resources.
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How often can I use Blazers, Let’s Talk?
There is no limit to how much one drops-in.
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Is Blazers, Let's Talk a counseling appointment?
No, Blazers, Let's Talk is more of an informal consultation with a licensed counselor. If you would let to schedule a counseling appointment place, please click here: https://www.uab.edu/students/counseling/our-services/schedule-an-appointment
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How do I schedule an appointment for Blazers, Let’s Talk?
You don't! There is no appointment needed, you walk-in!
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What paperwork will I need to complete?
None! When you arrive, we will only be asked for your name, DOB, pronouns, and BlazerID.
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Can I use Blazers, Let's Talk even if I am already meeting with a counselor?
Yes! Since Blazers, Let's Talk is not a counseling session, students are able to continue to meet with their current counselor and use the drop-in hour.
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What if I cannot make it during the hours?
There are many options available for you! These include:
Counseling Appointment: https://www.uab.edu/students/counseling/our-services/schedule-an-appointment
Peer Chats: private, nonjudgmental, 1:1 chat sessions for residential students seeking assistance with concerns that affect mental health such as stress, test anxiety, sadness, loneliness, relational issues, and adjustment concerns. Monday - Thursday 6:00 - 9:00pm Text your name and residence hall to (205) 201-0678 to meet with a trained peer coach. Here is more information: https://www.uab.edu/students/housing/wellness-initiatives
Check out other digital & Self-Help Resources: https://www.uab.edu/students/counseling/our-services/on-demand-self-help
Counselors in Residence
Counselor in Residence
Skyler Yasenchack, ALC, NCC
Clinical Counselor Associate
Oliver Smith, ALC, NCC
Clinical Counselor Associate
Carmen Brown, ALC, NCC
Purpose
The purpose of the CIR program is to support the academic and personal growth of residential students through the provision of on-site and easily accessible mental health services, including direct service delivery (short-term counseling) and consultation services to Residence Life staff. The CIR program aims to:
- Increase access to mental health services by placing a licensed clinical counselor within the residence halls during after-hours.
- Increase appropriate referrals to mental health support services.
- Provide consultation services assist in addressing student concerns before it escalates to a crisis concern.
Services
Services provided by the CIR program will span four broad domains:
- Counseling (walk-in, single session, brief counseling, group)
- Consultation (including Student Housing &anp; Residence Life staff)
- Outreach (Resiliency, Self-care, Suicide Prevention, etc.)
- Emergency intervention and Crisis Care