COUNSELING RESOURCES FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS
The UA College of Medicine – Phoenix Medical Student Mental Health Services (MSMHS) provide free, professional, and confidential counseling specifically tailored to address the mental health and wellness relevant to medical student life. Services are designed to foster the academic potential of students by enhancing their personal development as well as their psychosocial and emotional health. Services are currently being offered through HIPAA compliant virtual platform. In-person services will be offered when the campus reopens.
Students may seek therapy for a wide array of concerns. Individual counseling services address:
Depression – Providing support and promoting healing through hopelessness, low motivation and energy, sadness, irritability, sleep disturbance, and loss of interest and pleasure in life.
Anxiety – Coping with excessive worry, nervousness, or stress; intense discomfort in social settings; sudden and intense feelings of panic.
Personal and Professional Identity development – Understanding, accepting, and strengthening one’s sense of self through the exploration of family, work, and personal and professional values; Exploring topics of racial, cultural, and ethnic background as it relates to one’s family origins and personal identity.
Self-esteem – Cultivating self-compassion, assertiveness, and confidence; developing ways to reduce suffering, anxiety, social withdrawal, and self-neglect.
Stress management – Strengthening effective ways of coping with the stress of life and change; managing expectations of self and others.
Emotion regulation –Learning how to identify, express, and manage feelings in safe, in-control ways.
Interpersonal difficulties – Developing ways to maintain healthy relationships whether it be with family members, friends, romantic partners, peers, instructors.
Career concerns – Learning to utilize and highlight strengths, effective and practical stress-management, focusing on fulfillment, utilizing communication skills, and enhancing efficiency to reduce burnout.
Academic issues – Adjusting to medical school; managing developmental and emotional challenges in school; balancing schoolwork and personal life.
Requesting an Appointment: Enrolled medical students and Pathway Scholar students who are interested in mental health services are recommended to request an appointment by filling out the the request form. Every effort will be made to meet with a student as soon as possible.
If it is a medical emergency and/or there is a life-threatening situation, call 911.
Additional local resources:
Maricopa Crisis Line: (602) 222-9444
Maricopa Warm Line: (602) 347-1100
Contact Information:
Donna Johnson, Ph.D.
Office: HSEB A-347
Email: djohnsonphd@arizona.edu
Cell: 612-803-3737
* Available to all COM-P and Pathway students (Free)
Student counseling and mental health services for the College of Medicine - Phoenix medical students are available. ASU Counseling Services provides counseling and urgent behavioral health services for all state university students.
Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Same day appointments available.
522 N. Central Avenue
Phone: 602-496-1155 (Downtown Phoenix)
Phone: 480-965-6146 (Tempe)
Suicide Prevention Crisis Lines
480-784-1500 (Maricopa County)
866-205-5229 (AZ Toll Free)
800-273-8255 (National)
Medical students, residents and physicians, are not immune to developing problematic substance use, abuse, and addiction. In fact, substance use disorders in both medical students and practicing physicians occur at roughly the same frequency (if not higher in some cases) as in the general population. Given the significant professional obligation and responsibility that medical professionals and students possess, it is of great importance to facilitate early support and therapeutic intervention.
The following resources are being presented to assist medical students in recognizing problematic coping with substance use and to facilitate early intervention strategies. We also hope these resources equip students with the necessary tools to support and promote health throughout their careers.
Banner Addiction Recovery Center
Phone: 602-839-4567
Address: 1300 North 12th Street Suite 608 - Phoenix, AZ 85006
The director is Dr. Luke Peterson, who would be happy to talk to anyone in need of help. His email address is Christopher.Peterson@bannerhealth.com
Community Bridges Professionals Medical Monitoring Program
The coordinator is Kristy Cole (Kcole2@cbridges.com)
- Independent but contracts with the State Medical Board
- Confidential
- Funded by participant fees
- For health professionals & students
Arizona Medical Association Physician’s Lounge
This is totally confidential resource that can connect providers in need of help with a peer counselor, and is not just limited to substance abuse issues
Physician Health Committee at Banner University Medical Center-Phoenix
Dr. Kam Hunter is the Chair and is always available to talk if he can be of some help. His email is Kam.Hunter@bannerhealth.com
Professionals Assisting Professionals of Arizona (PAPA)
Phone: 480-207-7869
- Through the AZ State Board of Pharmacy
- Confidential
- Non-profit
- For health professionals & students
Phone: 602-542-1882
- Through the AZ State Board of Behavioral Health Examiners
- Confidential
- Free enrollment
- For licensed health professionals
Buena Vista Impaired Physicians Program
Phone: 866-630-9392
- Independent
- Confidential
- Funded through insurance
- Specialized physician-centered program
Other Substance Use Treatment Options
(Not Physician/Health Care Professional Specific)
Detox (admission immediately/within 24 hours)
A detox only program is going to be an inpatient program that last anywhere from 3-7 days depending on how long your alcohol withdrawal symptoms last. These are in a medical setting where physicians can prescribe you comfort medications and monitor your health while you withdraw. You can present physically to either of the Banner options or call ahead to arrange admission to all three. Each detox facility will take either private insurance or AHCCCS.
Banner Scottsdale: 480-448-7500
7575 East Earl Dr.
Banner Thunderbird: 602-865-4793
5555 W. Thunderbird Rd.
Vogue Recovery Center:877-694-9291
4122 North 17th St., Building A
Inpatient/Residential Treatment (admission takes 24 hours to 1 week)
An inpatient or residential program will last anywhere from 30-90 days. In these programs, you go and live in a facility or house with a community of others who are also participating in recovery. These programs will include case management, support groups, group counseling, individual counseling, and a physical space for you to live for the duration of the program. Most inpatient programs will also allow you to detox while at their facility prior to participating in their treatment program; just call to confirm. Both Soul Surgery and Meadows take only private insurance/out of pocket payment. Destiny Sober Living takes AHCCCS.
Soul Surgery: 833-568-6619
The Meadows: 866-331-5931
Destiny Sober Living: 602-249-6674
480-736-4949 (Maricopa County)
903 N. 2nd St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-416-7600
UPC is a no fee center
Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:00am to 9:00pm and Saturday/Sunday, 9:00am to 7:00pm
Crisis 24-hrs/day, 7 days a week