Counseling Services

Consultation Regarding a Student

Crisis Information for: Main Campus | SEC | Off-Campus Locations

Career Home | Referral Information | Consultations Regarding a Student | Crisis Response Team | Follow-Up

Counselors are available if faculty or staff members have questions about helping a distressed student or addressing a disruptive student’s behavior. We can help you to assess the situation, explore your referral options, and determine the appropriateness of an intervention and how you can be effective in the supportive role. There will be times when we suggest that you speak to your Academic Dean to determine how your Department handles student situations.

Confidentiality
Federal law and professional ethical guidelines protect a student’s right to privacy.  All counseling sessions, referrals, and consultations are kept strictly confidential, except when disclosure is legally required.  NO confidential information will be released to anyone without the student’s written authorization. 

What Happens When A Referral Is Made?
Because of privacy issues, there are times when the Counselor will not initiate an intervention with a student, but will wait for the student to make contact. Generally speaking, we will not leave a phone message with a family member or even on an answering machine. We may use e-mail to contact a student, but we use professional judgment to determine if this is appropriate.  E-mail does not maintain confidentiality and privacy.

Counseling Services provides developmental, problem solving counseling that is designed to help the student be successful and productive. We do not provide therapy for students; we will recommend that a student seek outside services when the situation is severe, requires long term or intensive therapy, or is beyond the scope of brief, problem-solving counseling.

Follow-up
If you refer a student, a Counselor will inform you if the student attended an initial session only if the student provides written permission.  If you would like a follow-up, please call a Counselor and we will attempt to obtain written permission from the identified student.  At such time, we are only able to tell you if the student did attend the initial session.  We will not be permitted to discuss any specific issues addressed.  When appropriate, you are encouraged to directly speak with the student.

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