Research postdoctoral scholars may seek therapy for a wide array of concerns. In addition to services offered through your insurance provider, Baylor College of Medicine provides two options through which you can seek assistance:
- Student and House Staff Mental Health Service provides in-person care (with telehealth option) by BCM clinicians.
- Employee Assistance Program
Descriptions of these options and a chart to help you choose the right service are provided below.
Student and House Staff Mental Health Service
All research postdocs are eligible for a free intake appointment at Student and House Staff Mental Health Services. Based on the intake, you may be further eligible for 11 free sessions a year. If it is determined SHSMHS is unable to meet your needs we will work to provide appropriate referrals outside our service. If you have already been evaluated for services and referred out, SHSMHS is unable to provide you with the type of mental health services that are recommended to meet your needs.
Psychotherapy and/or psychopharmacology sessions are provided by BCM clinicians. These services, which include individual psychotherapy and medication management, are confidential and are not reported to administrative personnel or anyone else at Baylor.
To schedule an intake call 713-798-4881 or email student-help@bcm.edu.
Employee Assistance Program
The Employee Assistance Program provides up to three sessions with an experienced consultant for each issue or problem at no cost to you, and the benefit renews each calendar year.
Experienced consultants are available 24/7 for support, guidance, and resources to help you navigate small questions and big problems related to a range of issues, including:
- Relationship problems
- Workplace conflicts
- Parenting and family issues
- Stress, anxiety and depression
- Elder care support
- Legal and financial concerns
Choosing the Service that Meets Your Needs
| Current Need | Resource | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency requiring immediate care | 911 | |
| You want to be seen by BCM clinicians | Student and House Staff Mental Health Service | Call 713-798-4881 |
| You want to be seen on-site | Student and House Staff Mental Health Service | Call 713-798-4881 |
| You would like to be seen by a doctoral-level provider | Student and House Staff Mental Health Service | Call 713-798-4881 |
| You would like to see a psychiatrist for psychopharmacology | Student and House Staff Mental Health Service | Call 713-798-4881 |
| Your primary concern is related to alcohol and/or drug use | Employee Assistance Program | Employee Assistance Program |
| Your primary concern is related to an eating disorder | Employee Assistance Program | Employee Assistance Program |
| You have used up your 12 free sessions at the Student and House Staff Mental Health Service | Employee Assistance Program | Employee Assistance Program |
| You are on the waitlist to receive psychotherapy at the Student and House Staff Mental Health Service | Employee Assistance Program | Employee Assistance Program |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hesitations for seeking care?
I am concerned my PI or colleagues will find out.
All visits are confidential. The BCM Student and House Staff Mental Health Service does not report to the deans or any other faculty about who comes to our service. We report an aggregate number of visits monthly with no individual or identifying data to the Office of Education Affairs and to the Graduate Medical Education Office.
I am concerned others think that since I'm a scientist, I should know how to take care of myself.
Self-awareness and the ability to recognize and address one’s own healthcare needs, is a crucial component of being able to take care of others.
I am concerned someone will see me where I receive care.
The BCM Student and House Staff Mental Health Service offices are located in a private location in the Texas Medical Center, but separate from BCM. There are no other clinical services located within our suite. We also offer virtual appointments you may do from home or another private location.
I am concerned if I receive care at BCM, someone I work with will see my records.
Our records are maintained in a segregated portion of BCM’s Electronic Medical Records. Only those working directly with our service have security access to the records.