School administrators, school mental health professionals, and AEA staff may refer students, and school staff may self-refer for services offered through the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic by emailing us at scsmh-clinic@uiowa.edu. Once a referral has been accepted, clinic staff will follow up with the potential client and/or their guardian (if the potential client is a minor) to initiate the intake process.

Are you a parent/caregiver of a K-12 student looking to refer your child to our clinic? If so, please talk with your child’s school counselor (or other school mental health professional) or school administrator about making a referral. School mental health professionals and administrators can initiate a referral by emailing us at scsmh-clinic@uiowa.edu.

After a client has been referred for individual clinical services, our clinic staff will contact you via email to determine whether the client and/or their guardian wish to pursue services. Once confirmed, the client or guardian will be asked to complete consent forms that explain our services, as well as client rights and responsibilities. They will also be asked to complete a questionnaire to help us learn more about the client, their background, and goals for counseling. After these forms have been completed, Scanlan Center for School Mental Health clinical staff will contact the family to schedule an initial appointment.

The frequency and duration of services depend on the client’s individual needs and the clinician’s availability. In most cases, it is recommended that clients participate in weekly or biweekly sessions, at least initially. As treatment progresses, the frequency of appointments may be reduced.

Clinical services at the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic are time-limited and focused on a specific treatment goal. The duration of a client’s course of services depends on their individual needs, but the typical duration of services is approximately 10 sessions.

SCSMH Clinical services provided by licensed professionals are fee-based. Fees and payment will be discussed in the initial consultation appointment, and that there is no fee for the initial consultation.

SCSMH billable clinicians are credentialed with most major insurance companies. We agree to submit insurance claims for you, with your written permission. If you wish to have us submit bills to your insurance carrier, you will be required to sign the Authorization for Release of Information and Payment Request form before services are initiated. Not signing the authorization form indicates that you are assuming personal responsibility for the service fees. Please note that you will be responsible for any fees not covered by your insurance provider, such as copays, coinsurance, or deductibles, which will be invoiced to you. 

The same SCSMH Clinic fees apply for telehealth and in-person services. However, insurance or other managed care providers may have different coverage, or may not cover, sessions that are conducted via telehealth. If your insurance provider does not cover telehealth counseling sessions, you will be responsible for fees related to the clinical service provided. Please contact your insurance company prior to engaging in telehealth sessions to determine your coverage.  

Clinical services provided by clinicians-in-training cannot be billed to insurance. There are no fees for individual counseling services delivered by clinicians under clinical supervision.  

Financial aid is available to qualifying individuals. 

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Training Clinic

The Scanlan Center for School Mental Health is a training clinic for students preparing to become mental health providers. This is critical to our mission of increasing the school mental health workforce in Iowa. Student trainees will participate in most aspects of Scanlan Center for School Mental Health clinical service delivery under the direct supervision of our licensed staff.

Coordination between the Clinic and Schools/AEAs

The Scanlan Center for School Mental Health clinic coordinates with school districts and AEAs to support the needs of students, educators, and staff in schools. Our staff adheres to confidentiality and privacy laws in the provision of services. However, some communication with school staff may be beneficial for best addressing the broad needs of a client, especially when individual services are being provided to students. Therefore, the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health clinician may request permission to coordinate with school staff on specific issues agreed upon between the clinician and the client/guardian. For example, if services are being provided to the student via telehealth during the school day, the clinic staff will need to coordinate with school staff in scheduling the appointment, accessing the appointment link, securing a private space for the appointment, and ensuring the client has access to necessary technology and technology support.

Notice of Privacy Practices

The Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and clients local to the area may choose to seek in-person services at our clinic. However, consistent with our goal to increase access to mental health services across the state of Iowa, most of the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health Clinic clinical services are offered via telehealth. Clients participating in these services will receive a link to our telehealth platform when their initial appointment is scheduled.

Crisis services may be provided onsite at the school requesting the service. Some crisis services will also be available via telehealth.

North Ramp is the closest parking ramp to Blank Honors Center. The Iowa Memorial Union Ramp is also within walking distance. Metered street parking may also be available.