About Us


UNT's Wellness and Employment Learning Lab (UNTWELL) was created in 2016 to provide sevices for students to assist them with their personal and/or academic goals through programs such as the Collegiate Recovery Program and Tuesday Night Flight. UNTWELL also provides hands on learning opportunities for students within the Department of Rehabilitation and Health Services. In the Spring of 2017, the UNTWELL Wellness Clinic opened to provide counseling, vocational and adjunctive therapy services to students and community members. Clients are seen by faculty-supervised counselor trainees from the Rehabilitation Counseling Master's Program which allows the clinic to offer no-cost services to students.


Mission

Our mission is to promote the overall growth and development of our clients, both with and without disabilities. Our services are rooted in attending to personal characteristics, multicultural identities, vocational exploration, interpersonal competencies, and psychosocial adjustment to disability. Our service providers value the whole person and help our clients optimize their strengths and abilities while adjusting to limitations. 

Vision 

We will empower our clients to benefit from and maximize their overall psychosocial functioning. Through holistic individual and group counseling, Personal Social Adjustment Training, and Vocational Evaluations, individuals may come to appreciate the uniqueness of their personalities and discover new ways to develop their potential. We will strive to collaborate with our clients in helping them achieve their personal goals.


Diversity Statement

UNTWELL Clinic affirms its commitment to providing a clinic which is equitable and inclusive. This means that in all aspects of its operations and at all levels of the organization, UNTWELL Clinic works to ensure that there is no discrimination on the basis of, but not limited to, ethnicity, language, race, age, ability, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, family status, income, immigrant or refugee status, nationality, place of birth, generational status, political or religious affiliation.

UNTWELL Clinic further recognizes that the increasing diversity among residents in Denton has added cultural, social and economic benefits to our community. It is also sensitive to the fact that oppressed groups, including individuals with disabilities, experience marginalization and encounter barriers to full access and participation in the community. UNTWELL Clinic seeks to increase access and participation for such individuals. 

Our Services

Individual Counseling

Individual counseling (sometimes called psychotherapy, talk therapy, or simply counseling) is a process through which individuals work one-on-one with a trained mental health professional in a safe, caring, and confidential environment. The counseling process facilitates exploration of feelings, beliefs, and behaviors, and gently encourages individuals to work through challenging or influential memories, identify aspects of their lives that they would like to change, better understand themselves and others, set personal goals, and work toward desired change. 

Individuals may seek counseling for a variety of reasons varying from personal topics in life. Some common reasons why a person may choose to seek counseling are: Stress, Family Problems, Depression, Anxiety, Relationships, Eating Disorders, Grief/Loss, Self-Esteem, Anger Management, Assertiveness, Sexuality, Parenting, Academic Difficulties, Career Decisions, Conflict Resolution, Health/Disability Issues, Trauma, Roommates, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, loneliness, and/or a mental health disorder. 

Counseling appointments are typically scheduled once a week for 6-10 sessions and last approximately 45-50 minutes each.

Vocational Assessment

Vocational assessment is the process of determining an individual’s interests, abilities and aptitudes and skills to identify vocational strengths, needs and career potential. Vocational assessment may use a variety of standardized techniques (e.g., IQ tests, tests of academic achievement) or non-standardized approaches (e.g., interviews, observations). Vocational assessment is part of the vocational guidance process and usually results in recommendations for education, career-guidance or employment. Most vocational assessments will include the following components:

  • Interview and Observations (to obtain relevant background and current information)
  • IQ test (to determine your level of intellectual functioning)
  • Achievement and Aptitude Tests (to determine your level of academic skills)
  • Personality Test (to determine the typical ways in which you approach situations and react to them)
  • Vocational interest Test (to determine which professions and jobs may be best suited for you)
  • Other tests (to obtain any other targeted information as needed)
  • Test interpretation and final reports (to explain the results in a way so you can make the most of the above information).

Vocational assessment appointments are typically scheduled for one session of 6-8 hours or two sessions of 3-4 hours each. Reports of comprehensive assessments take approximately 2 weeks to become available.

Group Counseling

Group counseling is a process whereby individuals work on specific areas of their life in a group setting. Group members talk about a variety of issues including exploring relationships, improving self-esteem, and enhancing coping skills.  Group members share information about themselves and provide feedback to others while group leaders facilitate productive communication in the group. Although the group leaders may suggest a topic for exploration, group members may also suggest areas to explore as needed. Group counseling can be beneficial in a variety of ways. Typically, group members find that they are able to 

  • Learn to communicate more comfortably and effectively.
  • Identify and explore inner feelings.
  • Learn how to receive feedback from others.
  • Verbalize and express their feelings in a productive manner.
  • Learn about closeness and intimacy.
  • Build a sense of comradery and community. 

Group Counseling appointments are typically involve 4-8 students meeting with 1-2 trained counselor(s), typically once a week for 1.5 hours. 


Hours and Location

We are currently offering services in-person on the two days listed below. 

Location

UNTWELL Clinic
Chilton Hall
410 Ave. C, Suite 134
Denton, TX 76203

Hours

Tuesdays & Thursdays
1:00 pm - 7:00 pm


You can set up an appointment by calling, stopping by Chilton 134, emailing us at UNTWELL@unt.edu, or using our online webform located at the bottom of this page.

Office Phone Number: (940) 565-3598

Meet Our Staff



Rachita Sharma, Ph.D., LPC-S, CRC
Chair of Rehabilitation & Health Services
  Rachita.Sharma@unt.edu
 940-565-2795
  Chilton 218K

Justin Watts

Justin Watts, Ph.D., NCC
Associate Professor
  Justin.Watts@unt.edu
 940-369-8947
  Chilton 218M


Danny
Front Office Assistant

Crystal G.
Clinic Coordinator

Keely
Student Counselor Trainee

Austin
Student Counselor Trainee

Robbie
Student Counselor Trainee

Regan
Student Counselor Trainee

Joseph
Student Counselor Trainee

Anthony
Student Counselor Trainee

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I set up an appointment?

Our office is open Tuesday & Thursday from 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm. You can either call us at (940) 565-3598 or stop by during that time. Additionally, you can fill out our Contact Form, and we will give you a call to set up an appointment during our next office hours.

How much do services cost?

Services are free to UNT students.

What if I need to cancel or reschedule a session?

Please notify us in advanced by calling (940) 565-3598 or email us at UNTWELL@unt.edu.

What if I am in crisis? Who can see me?

We are unable to see clients in crisis at this time. If you are in immediate danger, please call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. You may also call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or Denton County MHMR’s Crisis Hotline at (940) 387-5555.

Rehabilitation and Health Services

the RHS mission is to prepare professionals to enhance the lives of diverse populations including the aging population, individuals with disabilities, substance use disorders and/or chronic health concerns through training in advanced research, education and service delivery, or clinical practice.

Our department is comprised of community engaged academics providing an education that reaches beyond the classroom.