Counseling and Consultation

Abrupt or unexpected changes in behaviour

Outbursts of anger

Spending more time alone and withdrawing from others

Depressed mood

Poor class attendance

Suicidal thoughts or feelings

Eating too little or eating too much

Thoughts of death or dying

Sleeping too little or sleeping too much

Irritability

Increase in alcohol or drug use

Fatigue or low energy

Difficulty paying attention

Low self-esteem

Changes in study habits

Talk of failing or leaving the university

Changes in communication

Anxious or panicked

Periods of crying

Engaging in behaviors that jeopardize hes/her health or safety

1.

Clearly identify and specify the problem and/or behavior.

2.

Determine the student’s motivation for seeking help.

3.

Identify the resources or counseling agency or the person most appropriate for alleviation of the problem behavior.

4.

Consult with the appropriate agency/person to accurately determine if assistance is available. This step prepares the agency as well as provides you with ideas for making a good referral. This step is most effective if taken before the problem becomes urgent.

5.

Present to the individual your perception of the problem behavior. With tact and understanding, indicate your concern that, in your judgment, something is amiss. Be straightforward with your perceptions and how you see the problem affecting the individual involved and affecting others. A significant principle of referral is being honest and sincere about the problem observed. Evasion will only complicate the referral process.

6.

Present the positive aspects of seeking help, e.g., stressing:

7.

If appropriate, present to the student the known limitations of the counseling service. For example, effective counseling requires collaboration on the part of the client. Also, for example, there are no “magical answers” with respect to counseling.

8.

Arrange for the referral. Some students are ready at this stage to go to the counseling service on their own. Other students may need additional assistance. You can have the student call (LINK: Contacting Us) C&C for an appointment from your office or residence hall room. In some instances, students will need the added assurance of your accompanying them to the counseling agency and introducing them to the helping person.

9.

Once the referral has been made, it is your responsibility to ask the student if they kept the appointment. Confidentiality considerations prevent agencies from informing you without the written permission of the student.

10.

Once the student has begun counseling, indicate your on-going concern for the student and your continued availability to the student.

11.

Make yourself available to the counselor if you can be of assistance to the student. Also be available for follow-up, if necessary.