Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Written by
Micah Disbrow, LMHC
University Counseling Service
What’s Embedded Therapy, anyway?

Imagine having a mental health professional right in your college building or residence halls, someone who gets the unique vibe and challenges of your academic life. Embedded therapists are stationed in various colleges and residence halls at the UI to provide personalized support. They’re part of your community, mingling with students, faculty, and staff to make mental health care as seamless and approachable as possible.

Where Can You Find These Awesome Therapists?

Currently, the UI has embedded therapists in:

Why Should You Care About Embedded Therapy?

Trekking across campus for a counseling session can be a hassle. With embedded therapy, you can get the support you need right where you spend most of your time. These therapists are familiar faces in your daily environment who can make you feel more comfortable when seeking help. 

The Impact: Real Talk

Embedded therapy isn’t just convenient; it’s effective. According to the 2023 National College Health Assessment, students in colleges with embedded therapists report:

  • Less psychological distress
  • Lower frequency of self-injury
  • Fewer suicide attempts 
  • Higher resiliency 

And the feedback is overwhelmingly positive according to our in-house clinical satisfaction survey from 2024:

  • 92% of students said having counseling services in their college made them more likely to seek help.
  • 94% agreed that it decreased the stigma of needing help
  • 82% wouldn’t have sought counseling if these services weren’t available in their college 
How to Get Started

If you’re a student in one of the embedded colleges or live in the residence halls, you’re eligible to see an embedded therapist. Just call the University Counseling Service (UCS) at (319) 335-7294 during business hours (8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday–Friday) to schedule an appointment. If you qualify for more than one therapist, UCS staff can help you decide which one might be the best fit.

For more info on the embedded therapists, their approach, and contact details, check out this page.