How to Make a Referral for Counseling

Making a referral. After talking to a student, you may determine that a referral to Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS) would be helpful. If you choose to make a referral for a student you're concerned about, here are some suggestions that might make the opportunity more comfortable for you and more helpful for the student.

1. Express your concern in specific, nonjudgmental terms. Listen to thoughts and feelings in a sensitive, non-threatening way. Communicate understanding by repeating back the essence of what the student has told you.
2. Let the student know that you believe a counselor would be of help. If the student takes a defensive posture, simply restate your concerns and recommendations. It may be helpful to emphasize that your goal is to help the student, but you are limited in terms of how much you can help.
3. Normalize counseling as a useful resource for all students. Because some students may not be familiar with counseling services or may attach a stigma to counseling, communicate that the goal of CaPS is to help students be better students. This may help decrease the stigma of counseling as being only for people with major psychological problems. It may also be helpful to mention that counseling is confidential.
4. Know your limits. Don't take on too much — if you're feeling stressed already and don't feel you can provide a lot of emotional support, consult with and/or refer to CaPS. Don't force a student to talk if s/he doesn't want to. Don't make promises that you won't tell anyone about the student's concern — you can reassure the student that you will respect his/her privacy, but you may have to ask for additional support (e.g., consulting with the Resident Director or with CaPS).

Scheduling an Appointment. Students should make their own appointments if possible. You can assist this process by offering the student immediate use of your phone. Students can call (510) 885-3690 to schedule an appointment at CaPS. Students can also go to CaPS where the receptionist will make an appointment for the student to meet with a staff counselor.

Location: Student Health Services Building
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:30a.m.-6:00 p.m., and Fridays, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

If the situation is urgent (e.g., if the student has expressed an intention to harm him/herself or another person), call CaPS immediately to explain what is happening and then walk that student over to CaPS in the Student Health Services Building. In urgent situations, CaPS has daily Walk-In hours during 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-5 p.m. where the student can be seen as soon as possible.

If the situation is an emergency (e.g., if the student is trying to harm him/herself or another person), call UPD immediately to explain what is happening and to ask for help.

Remember, you can always consult! Consult with another instructor, your supervisor, or with a CaPS counselor. If you are concerned about a student but are uncertain about the appropriateness of a referral, feel free to call for a confidential consultation with one of the CaPS counselors at (510) 885-3690.

Adapted from http://www.ucs.umn.edu/about/referral.html and http://www.wheatoncollege.edu/studentlife/counsel/referral/referral.html.