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Therapy for UGA & College Students

Therapy for UGA & College Students

For UGA, Athens Tech, and Piedmont students dealing with anxiety, sleep, focus, and the pressure to have it all figured out. In person near campus or by telehealth anywhere in Georgia.

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You do not have to have it together to be here

College is the first time nobody else is managing your calendar. Classes, sleep, money, friendships, and what comes after graduation all land on you at once. For a lot of students, that shows up as anxiety, and anxiety is the most common reason students come to see us.

We work with UGA students, along with students at Athens Tech and Piedmont, at our Athens office on Old Epps Bridge Road and by telehealth anywhere in Georgia. Therapy isn’t a last resort. It’s one of the smartest things you can do for your semester.

What college anxiety can look like

Anxiety in college rarely looks like a movie panic attack. More often it looks like this:

  • A racing mind the night before an exam, or every night
  • Lying awake replaying a conversation, a grade, or a group chat
  • Reading the same page five times and keeping none of it
  • Putting off an assignment because starting it feels impossible
  • Feeling like everyone else has it figured out
  • Skipping things you used to enjoy because staying in is easier

Some students arrive already knowing they have anxiety or ADHD. Others just know that something that used to feel manageable no longer does. Both are good reasons to come in.

What therapy looks like here

It starts with a free 15-minute phone consultation. Our client care coordinator calls you at the time you pick, asks what’s going on, and matches you with a therapist who works with college students.

From there, sessions are practical. You and your therapist work on the things getting in your way right now, like sleep, focus, worry, and getting started on work, and on what’s underneath them. Some students come weekly through the semester. Others come in for occasional support. Learn more about our anxiety treatment and therapy for young adults.

CAPS or a private therapist?

If you’re at UGA, Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) at the University Health Center is a good place to start, and plenty of students get what they need there. Some students want a therapist off campus instead: someone they can keep seeing from one semester to the next, a clinician with a particular specialty, or a little distance from campus. That’s where we come in. The right choice is whichever one gets you support.

Telehealth over breaks

Heading home to Alpharetta for the summer, or splitting time between Athens and Atlanta? You can keep seeing your therapist by telehealth as long as you’re in Georgia during the session. Our therapists are licensed in Georgia, so if you’ll be out of state, we’ll help you find a therapist licensed where you are.

If your parents are paying

Plenty of students have a parent paying for sessions. If you’re 18 or older, what you talk about in session stays between you and your therapist. We only release information with your written consent, except in the rare situations where the law requires it. We’re an out-of-network, self-pay practice. Here’s how that works.

Parents are welcome to call with questions. Students can book their own consultation online.

In high school?

If you’re in high school, or you’re the parent of a teen, start with our children and teens team.

Ready to talk to someone?

Schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation. No pressure, no commitment.

In a crisis? Please call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), the GCAL 1-800-715-4225 (Georgia Crisis and Access Line), or go to your nearest emergency room. The Banyan Tree is not a crisis center.

Related Services

Explore our specialized services designed to support your unique needs.

Who You'll Work With

Therapists who work with college students, in person in Athens and by telehealth.

Alex Brock
Alex Brock , MA

Therapist

 Alexis Osborne
Alexis Osborne , LPC, NCC

Therapist

 Angela Bryan
Angela Bryan , MS, LPC, LMHC

Therapist

 Anna Beth Thompson
Anna Beth Thompson

Graduate Student Counselor

 Blaire Moraski
Blaire Moraski

Graduate Student Counselor

 Joseph Hopper
Joseph Hopper , LPC

Therapist

 Kimberly Klaer
Kimberly Klaer , LPC

Therapist

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions from college students and their parents.

Should I go to CAPS or a private therapist?

If you're a UGA student, Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) at the University Health Center is a good place to start, and many students get what they need there. Some students prefer a private therapist off campus: someone they can keep seeing from one semester to the next, a clinician with a specific specialty, or more distance from campus. The Banyan Tree works with UGA, Athens Tech, and Piedmont students in Athens and by telehealth anywhere in Georgia.

If my parents pay for therapy, will they know what I talk about?

If you're 18 or older, what you share in session stays between you and your therapist. Information is only released with your written consent, except in the rare situations where the law requires it, such as when someone's safety is at risk. A parent paying for sessions does not give them access to what you discuss. If you have questions about how this works for you, ask your therapist in your first session.

Do I have to be in crisis to start therapy?

No. You do not have to wait until things feel unmanageable to reach out. Students come in for occasional support as much as for a steady weekly appointment, and starting early usually means less time spent struggling on your own. If you are in crisis right now, call or text 988.

Can I do online counseling from outside Georgia?

Our therapists are licensed in Georgia, so by law our online counseling clients must be physically located in Georgia at the time of session. If you split time between states or travel often, we can discuss what's possible. If you're not in Georgia, we'll help you find a qualified therapist licensed in your state.

Are my sessions confidential?

Counseling is a confidential process. We adhere to strict professional standards of ethics and confidentiality. We are required by practice guidelines and standards of care to keep records of your counseling sessions. However, information can only be released with your permission and written consent unless mandated by law. You should be aware; however, that there are a few exceptions regarding confidentiality. For example, therapists are required to take appropriate action when a client is judged to be in imminent danger of harming oneself or threatens grave bodily harm to another person, and this action supersedes confidentiality. We must also report all incidents of child or elder abuse, whether it has already occurred or is likely to occur. Finally, under certain circumstances, confidentiality may be superseded by a court order. If you have any questions regarding confidentiality, bring them to the attention of your therapist.

Do we take insurance?

At The Banyan Tree, we’ve chosen to operate as an out-of-network, self-pay practice. This decision is intentional—and it allows us to provide the highest quality of care in a way that supports both our clients and our clinicians.We understand that navigating the cost of therapy is an important part of deciding where to begin. Below, we’ve outlined the key reasons we don’t work directly with insurance companies and how this model may actually benefit you. See more at [Out-of-Network Therapy for Personalized Care](/about/out-of-network/)

Still have questions? We're here to help.

Contact Us Today

Therapy isn't weird. It's smart.

You don't have to wait until things fall apart to talk to someone. Book a free 15-minute phone consultation and we'll match you with a therapist who works with college students.

Book a Consultation