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BRETBiomedical Research Education and Training

Psychological Consultation Services for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows

Graduate students and postdocs have access to psychological consultation services to address a variety of issues that impact mental health and performance. These include but are not limited to working in high pressure settings, balancing devotion to academic work with personal and family commitments and self-care, maintaining resilience, navigating conflicts, and managing performance anxiety. Individual and group sessions are available. In addition to offering services on campus, we can assist with identifying other resources on-campus and in the surrounding community to meet your particular need.

Available Services

Graduate Students
Mental Wellness/Counseling
  1. Graduate students are eligible for the full range of services offered through Vanderbilt University Counseling Services (UCC) & BRET-UCC Liaison. The UCC has recently collaborated with BRET faculty to provide mental health services that are more readily available and designed to seamlessly and effectively meet the needs of biomedical research students. Only BRET students will have access to specialized services
    1. Students will be able to schedule an new appointment through the UCC Student Portal
    2. Students will have to complete the UCC Health History Form (through the student portal) before their scheduled appointment + SIGN the UCC Telehealth Informed Consent
    3. Students will be sent a Zoom link an hour before their scheduled appointment.
  2. This UCC provides access to services of the Student Care Network.  The Student Care Network is a holistic network of services and resources pertaining to health and wellness available to all Vanderbilt University students.  Detailed information regarding the services can be found on their website.  Depending on your assessed needs, you will be referred by a Student Care Coordinator to the best resources to meet your needs.
  3. The Center for Student Wellbeing provides programming for students in skill-building, wellness practices, and other events. The mission of the Center for Student Wellbeing is to create a culture that supports the personal development and academic success of students using an integrative, holistic framework.
  4. Project Safe is here for those impacted by gender and sexual harassment, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking and more.
  5. Faculty, staff, students, and other community members can also report their concerns pertaining to the personal, physical, or emotional wellbeing of a student using the Student of Concern Form.
Navigating Professional Issues
  1. The Academic Life Coach assists Graduate School students and postdoctoral scholars in their academic and professional development during their time at Vanderbilt.  This position was created to support students and postdocs through individual coaching and group programming around effective time and stress management, resilience, conflict resolution, navigating academic relationships, and juggling work/life responsibilities. Consider contacting the Academic Life Coach, if you need:
    1. Someone to listen to and have a discussion with about your concern
    2. Strategies for better productivity and/or progress, including goal setting, time management and prioritizing
    3. Knowledge of and assistance accessing resources available to graduate students and postdocs on campus
    4. Assistance working through an issue with a colleague, advisor or supervisor
    5. Clarification concerning a university, departmental or program policy
    6. To explore the formal options available for addressing your concern
  2. The BRET Auxiliary Mentors are a team of faculty for second year students and beyond. At Vanderbilt, we are committed to helping you, our students, navigate and grow through the rigor of graduate education. We are a community, not just siloed groups. As such, our faculty are committed to helping all trainees, not just those in their own research programs. Vanderbilt’s auxiliary mentors are willing to provide students with their perspective on academic and professional matters. 
Postdoctoral Fellows
Mental Wellness/Counseling

Postdoctoral Fellows and Trainees are encouraged to seek help through the Postdoc Wellness Program of the Work/Life Connections-Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The Postdoc Wellness Program of Work/Life Connections-EAP was created for postdocs to promote psychological resilience and support personal and professional well-being.  Performance coaching focuses on enhancing productivity and workplace effectiveness through goal-setting and skill-building. Counseling​ for acute life stressors is brief and solution-focused.

Postdoc wellness resources are open to the following postdocs:

  • Postdoctoral Scholar, Research (VU)
  • Postdoctoral Scholar, Trainee (VU)
  • Research Fellow (VUMC)
  • Research Fellow Trainee (VUMC)

Project Safe is here for those impacted by gender and sexual harassment, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking and more.

Navigating Professional Issues

The Academic Life Coach assists Graduate School students and postdoctoral scholars in their academic and professional development during their time at Vanderbilt.  This position was created to support students and postdocs through individual coaching and group programming around effective time and stress management, resilience, conflict resolution, navigating academic relationships, and juggling work/life responsibilities. Consider contacting the Academic Life Coach, if you need:

  1. Someone to listen to and have a discussion with about your concern
  2. Strategies for better productivity and/or progress, including goal setting, time management and prioritizing
  3. Knowledge of and assistance accessing resources available to graduate students and postdocs on campus
  4. Assistance working through an issue with a colleague, advisor or supervisor
  5. Clarification concerning a university, departmental or program policy
  6. To explore the formal options available for addressing your concern

Confidentiality

Protecting your privacy is of utmost importance. This means that information about you will not be disclosed to anyone (i.e., faculty, advisor, PI, administrator, family) unless you specifically authorize disclosure of information through a written release of information. All records of services received are held in confidence consistent with applicable federal and state laws. It is important to note that there are limits to confidentiality, which include danger to yourself, danger to others, information about current or suspected child/elder abuse, a lack of capacity to care for yourself, or a valid court order/subpoena.

Crisis Resources

  • Vanderbilt University Police: 911 or 615-421-1911
  • University Counseling Center Crisis Care Counseling: 615-322-2571
    • Hours during Fall & Spring Semesters: M-F, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
    • Hours during Summer Months: M-F, 10:00 am-3:00 pm
    • *If you are calling after hours, you will be transferred to an answering service with mental health providers on call.
    • *If you are hoping to schedule an appointment, please see the BRET-UCC Specialized Services
  • Project Safe Support Hotline: 615-322-SAFE (7233)
    • Confidential services for those impacted by gender and sexual harassment, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking and more.
  • Crisis Text Line (free 24/7 crisis support in the US): Text 741-741
  • Suicide Prevention Lifeline (free 24/7 support): 1-800-273-8255