Guidelines for Referral
- Use a direct approach and express your concern for their welfare.
- Avoid making generalizations and be specific about what raised your concerns.
- Create a positive attitude for the student about seeking help.
- Inform the student they can register online for counseling, or you may walk the student over.
Student Concerns About Counseling
Concern: Only crazy people go to counseling (and I’m not crazy).
Response: I don’t think you are crazy. People go to counseling for all kinds of problems.
Concern: Counseling won’t work, it’s not effective.
Response: There are no guaranteed results. There is a high probability that counseling can be helpful. It has worked for a large number of students and it could work for you. Give it a try
Concern: The counselor will tell other people about my problems.
Response: What you share with a counselor is considered confidential. Information is not released to anyone (parents, friends, instructors) without your permission.
Confidentiality
Professional ethics dictate that the sessions conducted by Counseling Center staff are confidential in nature. Information about those sessions or their content will be released only (a) upon a student’s written request; (b) in circumstances which indicate a clear and present danger to the individual or others, or (c) suspected child abuse or neglect. The Counseling Center adheres strictly to this policy.