Making A Referral To Counseling
Even though you may be genuinely
concerned about students, and interested in helping them, you may
find yourself in situations where it would be better to refer them
to other resources. Circumstances that might necessitate a referral
include:
When you have helped the student as
much as you can but they still require more.
For many people personal interaction
with students is a primary the reason for working at Roberts.
However, all employees also have regular duties to perform and some
students simply require more time than you can give. Keeping good
boundaries with students (i.e. how much time you spend, what topics
you discuss, etc.) will help provide safety and wellbeing for the
students as well as yourself.
When the student is talking about
specific issues outside your realm of expertise.
People's comfort level around
discussing various topics will differ - however, it is important to
remember that, whatever position you are in, students typically
take advice very literally and seriously. Ethically it is important
to bear in mind that personal experience is not a substitute for
grounded knowledge in a particular area. There are also potential
liability issues to consider as well, when we choose to advise
beyond the level of our expertise.
When a student asks for
help
Students may make an appointment to
talk with a member of the CC staff by calling x6882. Some students
may ask for this information directly while others, who are unaware
of the problem or too timid to ask may require more encouragement.
If you are concerned about a student or have noticed changes in
behavior have a straightforward talk with him/her about your
observations and concerns. If the situation merits, encourage
students to seek our services at the Counseling Center.