The Center offers up to twelve individual sessions per academic year to students. Typically, students need four or five sessions with a counselor. At busy times of the year, it may be two weeks or so before regular appointments begin. Students are encouraged to keep in touch if their level of distress increases prior to scheduled appointments. Students need to know that services provided at the Counseling Center are free and confidential.
Information is released only with a student's written permission.
This means that a counselor cannot discuss the student's situation with the faculty member unless the student provides written permission. Faculty are encouraged to contact the student and ask them if they saw a counselor and how it went. Exceptions to confidentiality may occur if there is of clear danger to self or others or in the case of court-ordered subpoenas. Make it clear that this recommendation represents your best judgment based on your observations of the student's behavior. Be specific regarding the behavior that has raised your concerns and avoid making generalizations or attributing anything negative to the individual's personality or character.