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Mental Health Services
Boynton Mental Health & Counseling services are open to University of Minnesota Twin Cities students who are either degree-seeking students who pay the Student Services Fee (SSF) or Graduate Assistants enrolled in the Graduate Assistant Health Plan.
Individual & Family Therapy
Individual & Family (Couples) therapy sessions provide confidential, 1:1 support for students facing challenges throughout the semester. Our mental health providers work with students on a short-term basis to explore stressors, strengths, challenges, and goals.
From treatment planning to care transitions, we’ll help students identify their needs, define their goals, develop and practice their skills, explore resources, and connect with longer-term care as needed.
Group Services
Boynton Health offers group sessions for increased support in moving toward healing or change around specific challenges. Group offerings are open to all degree-seeking students currently enrolled at UMN Twin Cities regardless of identity.
Therapy Groups are billed to health insurance. Student Service Fees (SSF) help cover the cost of services for students who pay the SSF, have active health insurance, and are not on the Graduate Assistant Health Plan. Students on the Graduate Assistant Health Plan are responsible for a $10 co-pay.
Support Groups & Workshops are not billed to health insurance and students are not charged a fee. If you have questions about billing, please contact 612-624-1444.
Psychiatry
Psychiatry services include medication evaluations and medication management for all mental health conditions, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Embedded Counseling
Embedded Counselors work within certain University of Minnesota Colleges. They can only meet with students currently enrolled in their respective college.
Colleges with Embedded Counseling Programs:
- Carlson School of Management Undergraduate and Graduate Programs
- School of Dentistry
- College of Veterinary Medicine
- College of Pharmacy/Medical Laboratory Sciences/OT/DPT
- Minnesota Law School
Embedded Counseling sessions are not billed to health insurance and students are not charged a fee. If you have questions about billing, please contact 612-624-1444.
Let's Talk: Drop-in Conversations
Boynton offers no cost, confidential conversations with a counselor Mondays - Fridays at various locations on the East Bank, West Bank, and St. Paul campus. Drop in for a one-time, up to 45-minute conversation to help you talk through a specific stressor or make a plan for next steps. No appointment needed, no documentation on your health record, and you will not receive a bill.
Let’s Talk conversations are not a substitute for therapy or formal counseling and do not constitute mental health treatment. These sessions are not designed to provide crisis support. For crisis services, please refer to the Mental Health Crisis Resources page or call the Student Crisis Line at 612-301-4673.
Urgent Counseling
Boynton offers immediate, non-emergency support for students experiencing acute mental health concerns from 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday. This may include a sudden worsening of mental health symptoms, feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope, or concerns about your own or someone else’s mental health when there is no immediate danger to yourself or others.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, needs urgent medical attention, or cannot remain safe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Mental Health Presentations & Workshops
Faculty, staff, and student organizations at the University of Minnesota may request educational presentations & workshops facilitated by Boynton Health Mental Health & Counseling providers. Topics may include managing anxiety, improving sleep, self-care during turbulent times, and more. Presentations can be delivered to UMN classes, departments, and events on campus.
To request a presentation or workshop, contact [email protected] or call 612-624-1444.
Specialized Support
- Alcohol and Substance Use/Abuse Support: Boynton offers UMN students confidential alcohol and substance use support to satisfy personal, academic, and/or legal requirements. Substance use/abuse counselors help students explore their relationship with substances and address current patterns of use. Counselors may provide referrals to services and treatment outside of Boynton.
- ADHD Support: Boynton has specific policies for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Learn more about ADHD Support.
- Eating Disorders: Eating Disorder treatment is not provided at Boynton. Our Coordinated Care Teams assess needs and provide support to students with concerns related to eating, food, exercise, and body image. Care coordinators may provide referrals outside of Boynton for the appropriate level of care. Financial assistance for eating disorder outpatient treatment is available.
- Specialty Care Connection: Our Mental Health & Counseling team is committed to helping students connect with the care and resources they need. Counselors provide assessments and referrals to services outside of Boynton Health to ensure students receive the appropriate level of care and treatment they need.
Care Coordination
Boynton is committed to meeting students wherever they are on their journey. Our Care Coordination team connects students to the ongoing, long-term, or specialized care they need off-campus.
Care Coordinators work closely with students to assess their needs, provide recommendations, and assist in making connections to mental health clinics and resources in the community. They also support students in understanding and navigating health insurance. If students need further support or have questions about off-campus care, contact the mental health clinic/access team by calling 612-624-1444.
Ready to get started?
Visit the MyBoynton patient portal or call 612-624-1444 to schedule a 15-20-minute mental health screening with a counselor. Mental health screenings are provided at no cost to students, and insurance is not billed.
During the mental health screening, you’ll discuss your needs and the counselor will share resources, recommend a plan for your mental health care, and connect you with next steps. If you prefer to access counseling services that will not be billed to insurance, be sure to discuss that during your mental health screening.
Telehealth appointments are available for all mental health services except group therapy.
Note: Starting on June 23 through August 27, 2026, in person appointments at the West Bank Clinic (Wilson Library) are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Wednesdays are reserved for remote appointments during this time.
Billing
Student Service Fees (SSF) help cover out-of-pocket costs of services for students who have active health insurance and have paid the SSF, with the exception of students on the Graduate Assistant Health Plan. Students on the Graduate Assistant Health Plan are responsible for a $10 co-pay.
Some mental health services at Boynton are not billed to health insurance, and students are not charged a fee. If you have questions about billing, please contact 612-624-1444.
Online Mental Health Resources
Explore free, online mental health resources.
Mental Health @ UMN
Designed to help the UMN community find resources based on their personal needs.
Effective U
Learn skills for academic and personal well-being.
Learn to Live
Online counseling for stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Enter the code UMN to access Learn to Live resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Therapy and Counseling services?
Therapy services are billed to health insurance. Student Service Fees (SSF) help cover the cost of services for students who pay the SSF, have active health insurance, and are not on the Graduate Assistant Health Plan. Students on the Graduate Assistant Health Plan are responsible for a $10 co-pay.
Counseling sessions are not billed to health insurance and students are not charged a fee.
If you have questions about billing, please contact 612-624-1444.
Who can be seen at Boynton's Mental Health Clinic?
Boynton Mental Health and Counseling is open to University of Minnesota Twin Cities students who are:
- Enrolled full time, and
- Studying for a degree, and
- Pay the Student Services Fee.
- Or are Graduate Assistants who are enrolled in the Graduate Assistant Health Plan.
Some services, including short term, session-limited counseling, some group counseling sessions, affinity groups, workshops, Single Sessions, and Let's Talk drop-in counseling are available to University students that are not enrolled full-time and don't pay student service fee. All students must be physically located in the state of Minnesota.
Mental health services are not open to staff and faculty.
How much will my visit cost?
It depends on your health insurance and whether you pay the Student Services Fee.
A co-payment at the time of your visit may apply. Any remaining costs for your care may be billed to you at a later time. Amounts vary by insurance plan. Consult your insurance card, or contact your health insurance provider for details.
Student Service Fees (SSF) help cover out-of-pocket costs of services for students who have active health insurance and have paid the SSF, with the exception of students on the Graduate Assistant Health Plan. Students on the Graduate Assistant Health Plan are responsible for a $10 co-pay. If you have questions about billing, please contact 612-624-1444.
Why do I have to fill out a Release of Information?
Students requesting to be seen for psychiatric medications and who have been previously treated outside of Boynton Health will be asked to complete a health release of information form (ROI). An ROI is required for any previous medication provider, intensive outpatient provider, or psychiatric hospital stay. Students receiving care can contact their providers via the MyBoynton patient portal or call the clinic to schedule follow-up appointments.
Does Boynton provide letters for Emotional Support Animals?
In some situations, your provider may consider writing a letter for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA). This may require a team consultation to determine the medical necessity of the animal and confirm that other avenues of treatment have first been tried and have not been successful. You must have established care at Boynton Mental Health & Counseling to receive a letter.
Acquiring an animal before this process is complete may limit our ability to provide the necessary documentation.
Still have questions? Contact Us
Contact us at [email protected] or 612-624-1444.
Boynton Mental Health & Counseling Services are supported by the Edelstein Family/Ruth Easton Family Fund.