Counseling Guidelines for Faculty & Staff

Openly acknowledging to students that you are aware of their distress, that you are sincerely concerned about their welfare, and that you are willing to help them explore their alternatives, can have a profound effect. 

We encourage you, whenever possible, to speak directly and honestly to a student when you sense that she/he is in academic and/or personal distress.

1. Request to see the student in private. Doing so may help minimize the embarrassment and defensiveness.
2. Briefly acknowledge your observations and perceptions of the situation and express your concerns directly and honestly.
3. Listen carefully to what is troubling the student and try to see the issues from her/his point of view without necessarily agreeing or disagreeing.
4. Attempt to identify the student's problem or concern, as well as your own concerns or uneasiness. You can help by exploring alternatives to deal with the problem.
5. Comment directly on what you have observed without interpreting or judging. Strange and inappropriate behavior should not be ignored.
6. Be mindful of only involving yourself as much as you are able. At times, in an attempt to reach or help a troubled student, you may become more involved than time or skill permits. Extending oneself to others always involves some risk--but it can be a gratifying experience when kept within realistic limits. If the burden becomes too heavy, or any time you are in doubt, please refer to the Counseling Center and we will provide direct intervention, and / or refer to an appropriate facility.

Possible Conversation Starters

• I think I can understand how difficult things are for you.
• It sounds like you're having a hard time right now.
• I can see it is hard for you even to discuss how you feel.
• I understand that you believe there is nothing wrong. Perhaps I got the wrong impression.
• If you don't feel comfortable talking to me about these matters, perhaps you would find it easier to talk to a counselor, privately and confidentially.

It can be helpful to try to guide the student to more fully express and clarify his/her feelings and thoughts. 

Examples

• Have there been any changes in your life?
• We all have feelings like this sometimes. It usually helps to air how you feel, even if you can't resolve your difficulties quickly.
• The harder you try, the less successful you seem to feel.
• Try to put your feelings into words.
• Tell me more about that.

Again, suggest that the student see a counselor in the Counseling Center if his/her problems seem too extensive or complex for you to provide direct assistance.

If you are unsure of how to handle a specific student, we encourage you to consult with the director, assistant director, or with one of our counselors on staff. 

If not an emergency, call the director at either 410-532-5379 state who you are (faculty, staff, administrator) and ask to speak with us. We will return your call as soon as possible. 

A brief consultation may help you sort out the relevant issues, explore alternative approaches and suggest new ways to cope with the anxiety or stress the student may be experiencing. 

Overall, when dealing with most students in crisis situations, conveying your concern and willingness to help in any way you can (including referral) is probably the most important thing you can do. Your support, encouragement (including referral), and reassurance will be particularly valuable to a student in crisis.

Counseling & Psychological Services

When you have determined that a referral to the Counseling Center is appropriate, you can be most helpful by clearly and concisely telling the student why you think counseling would be helpful.

You might also tell the student a few facts about our services:

• All services are free to regularly enrolled students.
• Counselors provide counseling Monday through Thursday from 10 AM to 6 PM and on Friday from 10AM to 3PM. 
• All discussions are confidential except when the student presents a danger to self, others, or when abuse is involved.

Early Intervention

Early intervention is preferable to crisis intervention. To ensure prompt attention, it is best to ask in advance for an appointment. 

Requesting appointments online is the easiest and fastest way to seek counseling.

Having the student request the appointment increases her/his responsibility and commitment to come for counseling; however, there may be times, especially if the student is in crisis, when it is advantageous for you to call and make the appointment and/or accompany the student to our office.

We will schedule the student with one of our staff as quickly as possible.

Referral Conversation Starters

• We all need some kind of help at some time, even if it's only talking to someone who can listen without criticism or upset.
• It's a sign of increasing maturity when a person knows it's time to seek some help.
• It takes strength and courage to ask for help.
• Sometimes if you're unsure of what you really want to do, that creates tension and stress inside you.
• The professional services at the College are free and totally confidential. Nothing goes in your record. Nobody can find out what you would be talking about.
• Counseling has been helpful to others like yourself. You can try it and see if it helps.

DO

1. Have the student request an appointment online or come to the Counseling Center to fill out an intake form.
2. Identify the need for an assessment (indicate if it is urgent).
3. If an emergency, escort the student to the Counseling Center call Public Safety’s Emergency Line at 410-532-6666 and they will contact the Counselor on Call.

In the instance that the Counseling Center is on a wait list, it is still best to refer the student to us so that we can provide them with the appropriate off-campus referrals.  

Clinical staff can assess the urgency of the student’s request for services and potentially provide triage care. Referrals can depend upon whether the student wants to use insurance or needs a sliding scale.

Urgent Referral

In some situations, it may be imperative to request the student be seen as soon as possible. 

If a student's situation is urgent, she/he will probably have concerns involving:

• Suicide/fear of losing control and possibly harming/hurting someone
• Sexual assault
• Physical assault or witness to an assault or accident
• Fear for her/his life or for the life of someone they know
• Abuse/recent death of a friend or family member

DO

1. Call or have the student call the Emergency Line at 410-532-6666; they will get in touch with the on call staff. You may also escort the student to the Counseling Center. You may knock on closed doors to interrupt a session if it is an emergency.
2. State who you are (student, faculty, staff, administrator).
3. Identify the need for an urgent assessment (indicate if it is urgent).
4. The counseling staff member will make a professional assessment of how quickly the student needs to be seen and appropriate action will be taken.

When to Call Public Safety

Call Public Safety if you believe:

• You or another person is in immediate danger.
• A student is about to harm her/himself.
• A student is out of control and is disrupting the classroom.

Personal Counseling for NDMU Students

Individual counseling is available to all enrolled Notre Dame of Maryland students. After requesting an appointment, students will be scheduled with the next available counselor. If further intervention is needed, the student will be referred to off-campus treatment providers.

Students can receive crisis assistance or interpersonal therapy throughout the academic year.

Please note that availability of counseling sessions can change based upon counselor availability, and that the course of treatment could change based on student need and the professional judgment of the counseling staff.