• the problem is more serious than you feel comfortable handling.
• you are either extremely busy, or are experiencing stress in your own life, and are unable or unwilling to handle other requests for help.
• you have talked to the student and helped as much as you can, but further assistance is needed.
• you think your personal feelings about the student will interfere with your objectivity.
• the student admits that there is a problem, but doesn't want to talk to you about it.
• the student asks for information or assistance that you are unable to provide.

Let the student know your reasons for making a referral (e.g., lack of time, conflict of interest, limited training) and emphasize your concern that they do get help from an appropriate source. It may help the student to know that you support his/her desire to seek help.

Making the Referral...

If you contact the Counseling Center in a crisis situation, someone will talk with you immediately. We may come to the scene or we may determine that Campus Police should respond as soon as possible. From that point on, the situation is usually handled exclusively by Counseling staff and/or Campus Police. Once students have dealt with us, we consider them clients, and we are bound by confidentiality regarding our conversations with them. With their written permission, we may fill you in on limited details. If the situation is not urgent, we suggest that most students come by the center to schedule their first appointment.

What the Student Can Expect...

Some students are reluctant to go to the Counseling Center because they don't know what to expect. Upon arrival, all students are asked to fill out an intake form, which is a basic information form. This is kept as part of their confidential file. Many students wonder if counseling appointments or information will somehow end up on their "permanent record." The answer is no. All sessions are free, private, and confidential. Only with the student's written permission are we free to share information with anyone.

Students will meet with a member of the counseling staff for about an hour, or perhaps less. Some emergencies require more, so we try to give students all the time they need.

Students will usually see whoever has the first available opening at the time the appointment is made. However, students may feel free to request to speak with a specific member of the staff, if they like. During busy times, however, this may present the student with a delay in being seen.

During the first session, the counselor will usually try to ascertain what the problem or issue is. They will try to see if counseling is the best approach to it and give a brief explanation of the counseling process. The counselor will usually wind up by asking the student if they wish to make another appointment, wait and call if they need to talk more, or would like a referral to another person or agency.

Follow Up with the Student...

One of the most effective ways of referring someone is to follow up and determining if the referral was helpful. Ask the student to let you know that you would like to hear how the appointment goes. Assure the student that this is entirely voluntary on their part. Ask permission to contact the student within a week and see if the referral went well.