UK Happenings

UK Family Center Offering Telemental Health Services

UK Family Center lobby
Pete Comparoni | UK Photo.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 15, 2020) — The Family Center at the University of Kentucky has transformed its services into virtual formats to fit the needs of Kentuckians at this time. Therapists are working virtually from a Zoom account that is HIPAA compliant and secure to conduct scheduled sessions.

The UK Family Center, which is a part of the Department of Family Sciences in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, is not charging for their services at this time.

“This is our way of helping out the community during this stressful time,” shared Tracey Werner-Wilson, director of the UK Family Center. “We don’t want finances to get in the way of people getting the services that they need to help them get through this tough time.”

Student clinicians have adapted effortlessly to the change, completing 15-hour trainings on telemental health services. The virtual transition has enabled many to take advantage of the format, given that travel time is no longer an obstacle.

“It has been inspiring to see the students, who are also experiencing significant transitions, to remain present and engaged with their clients,” said Nathan Wood, director of the Couple and Family Therapy program.

Anyone within the Commonwealth is eligible for their services. To schedule an appointment, please email ukfamilycenter@uky.edu.​

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.