When A Student Needs Psychological Referral
A referral for psychological counseling should be considered
when you believe a student's problems go beyond your
own experience and expertise, or when you feel uncomfortable
helping a student with some issue. A referral may be
made either because of the way the student's problems are
interfering with his or her academic work or with your
teaching, or because observation of the student's personal behavior
raises concerns apart from his or her academic
work.
Some more easily recognizable indicators that a student may
be experiencing more stress than he or she can handle include:
- Marked decline in quality of course work, class
participation, quality of papers or test results; increased
absence from class, or failure to turn in work.
- Prolonged depression, suggested by a sad expression, apathy,
weight loss, sleeping difficulty, tearfulness.
- Nervousness, agitation, excessive worry; irritability,
aggressiveness, non-stop talking.
- Bizarre, strange behavior or speech.
- Extreme dependency on faculty or staff, including spending
much of his or her time visiting during office hours or other
times.
- Marked change in personal hygiene.
- Talk of suicide, either directly or indirectly such as, "I
won't be around to take that exam anyway" or "I'm not
worried about getting a job, I won't need one."
- Comments in a student's paper that arouse concern.
Each student experiences stress somewhat differently, and many
disturbances in the 17 to 22-year-old age group are relatively
transient. However, you may become alarmed by even brief changes
which are extreme, or by significant changes that continue for some
time. If there is doubt about the seriousness of the problem,
consult a counseling center staff member about how to evaluate the
situation and take the most appropriate steps.
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Psychological Emergencies
If an emergency arises during the day, consult
one of the counseling
centers or a psychiatrist at
Psychiatric Services in the Health Centers. After hours, there
is a 24-hour hotline (732-235-5700) professionally staffed
by the community mental health center. If a student is actively suicidal,
do not leave him or her alone, but send someone for help if possible.
If a suicide attempt is actually in progress, notify the University
Police (911, or from a University phone dial 9 for an outside line and then 911) to
arrange medical care and transportation to a hospital.
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Making The Referral
One way of introducing the topic of a psychological referral
to a student is to summarize to him or her what you understand to
be the problem. Emphasize the emotional responses that you have
heard from him or her, perhaps with an expression of your concern.
For example, "You sound very depressed about your relationship
problems. I have found that other students who felt that way have
been helped by talking to a professional, someone at the counseling
center. How would you feel about that?"
In speaking to the student about counseling, it is important
to keep in mind some of the negative reactions a student may
have to the idea, and be ready to discuss them. You can explain
to the student that counseling is not just for "crazy"
people (most clients have normal "problems in living"), nor does
it encourage dependency (counseling is time-limited on
campus). Counseling does provide a chance to explore feelings and
solve problems with the help of an objective, sensitive and
concerned listener.
Once the student has agreed that counseling might be useful,
there are several possible steps to take, depending on the
student's attitude and the urgency of the situation.
- Give the student information about the counseling centers and
urge him or her to call.
- Offer to let the student call from your office right then,
so that a public commitment will have been made.
- Accompany the student yourself to make sure he or she arrives
at the counseling center, and provide the center with any necessary information. The counseling center staff will appreciate your calling ahead if the
student is being brought over or sent directly, so that plans can
be made to have a counselor available.
Although most students are ambivalent about counseling, it is
important that the student really want help at this point.
Coercing a student to go to counseling is not likely to have
positive results in the long run. Generally, unless there is some
immediate concern about the welfare of the student or others, it
is better to try to maintain your relationship with the student
rather than to force him or her to go to the counseling center.
The idea can be brought up again later.
If you don't expect to speak to a student (e.g., he only e-mails),
or you have an urgent concern, the Dean of Students or Student Services of the student's
college can reach out to him/her in a more active way.
After The Referral Is Made
When a student goes to a counseling center (or calls), an
appointment will be made for an initial interview. This will
usually be held within a few days from the time the student makes
contact, depending largely on flexibility of the student's
schedule. In an emergency, as defined either by you or the
student, arrangements will be made to see the student that
same day, usually within an hour or so.
The initial interview is intended to learn what is troubling
the student, and to assess what services would be most helpful -
e.g., individual or group counseling or referral to a more
appropriate service.
If ongoing counseling is appropriate, regular appointments
will be scheduled, usually 45 to 60 minutes once a week. At
busy times of the year, it may be two weeks or so before regular
appointments begin, but students are encouraged to let
the office know if they feel too distressed to wait.
Working With Students Yourself
In some cases, students who seek your help or arouse your
concern may work more effectively with you rather than
being referred to counseling. Your willingness to listen may be
very important to those students. You may also choose
to work with the student on improving his or her academic work
without focusing on the psychological issues that
underlie the behavior. A psychologist at any counseling center can
be consulted on how to best handle either of these
approaches or how to make a referral.
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Counseling and Psychological Services
Counseling and Psychological Services consists of a number of psychological counseling offices, plus Psychiatric Services and Alcohol and Other Drug Assistance Program for Students (ADAPS). Counseling offices are staffed primarily by clinical or counseling
psychologists, with graduate students under supervision seeing some
clients after screening. Psychiatrists are available in Psychiatric Services, and substance abuse counselors in ADAPS. Services are free to students, and strict
confidentiality is maintained in accordance with ethical standards
and the law. New Brunswick/Piscataway counseling centers are:
All
students, undergraduate and graduate, may go to any center. The offices work together so that students can be referred back and forth as needed.
Each counseling center offers short-term psychotherapy for individuals and in groups. In addition, crisis intervention is
available, and a few students are seen for longer term therapy
under special circumstances. Students may seek help for a range
of problems in their lives, from minor situational crises to
longstanding psychological issues that cause major disruptions.
In most cases, students needing longer-term care will be referred
to other agencies.
Counseling centers also offer various psychological education
programs on such topics as assertiveness, effective communication,
interpersonal relationships, stress management and test anxiety.
Counseling staff are available to consult with faculty, staff, or
student groups on organizational issues and to provide training in
helping skills, conflict management, or other areas of human
relations. Following a traumatic event such as the death of a
student, counseling staff can provide post-crisis intervention in
various ways.
Additional Resources
Mental health resources at the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology include:
Other services include:
In the community there are:
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University Behavioral Health Care. (732-235-5500).
Central Access number: 1-800-969-5300 for screening and appointments.
The major low-cost psychotherapy facility in Middlesex County, this is the community mental health center for this area. They are open to everyone, but tend to refer students back to on-campus services since they have limited resources. There are several branches.
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Therapists in private practice.
There are a number of excellent therapists in the area, many in Highland Park which is easily accessible from the L bus stop at Harrison Avenue just over the Albany Street Bridge in Highland Park. The student health insurance, and other forms of health insurance will pay for at least limited services in most cases.
Campus counseling and mental health services will refer students
to these and other services as appropriate.
For referrals to help with non-psychological
problems, such as financial difficulties or family problems, contact
RU-Info (732-932-INFO), or the Office of Student Life
or Dean of Students at each college (at Rutgers College, the
Office of Student
Services). Student-run resources include:
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Scarlet Listeners.
(732-247-5555).
Third floor of Bishop House on the College Avenue Campus.
Hours are usually Sunday through Thursday 4 - 12 p.m., Friday 4 - 8 p.m. while regular classes are in session.
Faculty And Staff Counseling
Faculty (including TAs/GAs) and staff and their
families can receive confidential free individual and group therapy
for a wide variety of problems at Rutgers Faculty and Staff Assistance
Program (732-932-3020 X4010). Personal, work-related, marital and/or
alcohol/drug-related problems can be dealt with. Counseling may also
center on relationships, parenting, financial difficulties, or anything
that makes it hard to do good work. Where necessary, outside referrals
are made. Twenty-four hour crisis/emergency number: (732-932-3020 X4010).
For comments on this web-site, contact Mark J. Forest, Ph.D.
or call 732-932-7884.
This page last updated: June 27, 2007
Rutgers, the State University is an equal opportunity affirmative action institution.
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