Counseling Centers and How We Can Help

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Counseling Centers and How We Can Help

• Anne Fisher Ph.D., Director, Counseling and
  Wellness Center,
• New College of Florida, Sarasota
• David L. Wallace, Ph.D., Director, Counseling
  Center
• University of Central Florida, Orlando

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Where are Students Now?

• Technologically Minded
• Often Very Connected to Parents
• Many Open to Seeking Help
• Mental Health Concerns More Complex
• Psychiatric Medications Quite Common

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Counseling Contexts

• Situations Resources Differ
• The Nature of Counseling
• Confidentiality
• Psychotherapy Laws and Ethics
• Neutrality Promotes Safety and Trust
• Limits on Ability to Assess Danger

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Counseling Strengths
and
Conduct Strengths
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• A BRIEF LOOK AT FERPA
• "Education records" include University maintained
  records, files, documents, and other materials
  that contain information directly related to a
  student.
• The following are not education records
• Records made by College personnel, including
  professors, which are in the sole possession of
  the person who made the records and are not
  accessible or revealed to any other person.
• Records created and maintained by University
  police for law enforcement purposes.
• Medical/counseling records used solely for
  treatment.
• FERPA is a "floor" for confidentiality purposes
  under state law clinicians would still not
  disclose protected health care information to
  University officials.
• "Certain professionals on campus, such as medical
  and mental health care providers, may be bound by
  professional obligations of confidentiality that
  require a higher burden to be met (such as a
  significant threat of serious and imminent harm
  to a specifically foreseeable victim) before
• disclosure of information in their possession may
  be made."

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Example Florida Statutes Governing Psychologists
490.0147  Confidentiality and privileged
communications.--Any communication between any
person licensed under this chapter and her or his
patient or client shall be confidential. This
privilege may be waived under the following
conditions (1)  When the person licensed under
this chapter is a party defendant to a civil,
criminal, or disciplinary action arising from a
complaint filed by the patient or client, in
which case the waiver shall be limited to that
action. (2)  When the patient or client agrees to
the waiver, in writing, or when more than one
person in a family is receiving therapy, when
each family member agrees to the waiver, in
writing. (3)  When there is a clear and immediate
probability of physical harm to the patient or
client, to other individuals, or to society and
the person licensed under this chapter
communicates the information only to the
potential victim, appropriate family member, or
law enforcement or other appropriate authorities.
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• Commonalities and Differences
• Ways of Working Together To Enhance Positive
  Engagement

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• Behavioral Assessment Teams/Student Care Teams
• Central Repository for Concerns About Students at
  Risk and In Difficulty
• Refer to Counseling and Report to Central
  Repository

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Questions? Discussion?