Privacy information: As a student, your use of SCS services does not become part of your academic record. Your use of SCS services is strictly confidential. However, there are limits to confidentiality as required by law. In rare circumstances, such as the following, information may be released: (a) when you sign a written request to have information released; (b) if you disclose intention to harm yourself or others; (c) if a counselor has reasonable suspicion that a child or dependent adult is being abused or neglected; or (d) if the court system orders that information be provided. In the event that information about you must be released because of one or more of the above exceptions to confidentiality, you will be informed fully.
Communication with on-campus providers of medical & psychiatric services: For all students, SCS staff may need to share information with Student Health Center (SHC) staff in certain appropriate situations. In particular, students who experience mental health emergencies and students who receive services from the SHC consulting psychiatric nurse practitioner should be aware that information will be shared between Student Health Center and Student Counseling Services staff members. The sole purpose of this communication is to ensure that students receive the most appropriate, efficient, and effective care and support possible.
Types and length of services: SCS provides individual and group counseling services, walk-in services, crisis intervention, and consultation. Individual counseling services are short-term--students are allotted up to 12 individual counseling sessions per academic year (For SCS, the academic year begins and ends in mid-May). Walk-in periods are available Monday through Friday from 2:00-3:00 pm. During walk-in periods, a counselor is available to meet with students on an unscheduled, brief, first-come, first-served basis. There is no limit on your participation in group counseling or your use of walk-in services. Please note, any regularly scheduled appointments must be canceled or rescheduled at least 2 hours prior to the appointment time.
Telehealth: Virtual appointments are also available for students who reside in Virginia or DC. Please indicate your preference when prompted. There is a separate infomed consent for telehealth services. Please review it and sign acknowledging that you understand and agree.
Referral to off-campus mental health providers: If your counselor believes that your needs could be served more appropriately outside SCS, your counselor will work with you to ensure that you are connected with referrals to treatment providers in the community. Please note: In general, specialized, intensive, and/or long-term mental health treatment is considered a personal health-care responsibility, and is not a service provided by the University. SCS can assist you in connecting to whatever treatment, support, or assistance you need in the community.
Emergencies: We will try to respond as quickly as possible to any mental health emergency you may experience. If you have a mental health emergency and live in a residence hall, please call Campus Safety at (703) 284-1600 or contact your Community Advisor (CA) or Residential Services Professional on call if on campus. If you would prefer to speak with someone off-campus, an anonymous, confidential 24 hour hotline is available at (800) 273-TALK. NOTE: If you are experiencing an immediate emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
Training & Supervision: All staff counselors receive regular supervision of their work from trained and licensed mental health professionals. In addition, SCS serves as a training site for advanced graduate students who are supervised closely in their counseling responsibilities. The goal of supervision is to enable counselors and counselors-in-training to provide the best services possible. Any information shared with supervisors is kept strictly confidential. You will be informed if your counselor is receiving supervision. In addition, trainees may request permission from you to record counseling sessions for the purpose of supervision. These recordings are kept strictly confidential. Only your counselor and their supervisor will have access to these recordings, which will be erased at the end of your counseling experience. Trainees will also, at times, sit in on a walk-in, crisis, or intake appointment provided by a senior staff member or have a senior staff member sit in on their appointments. This, too, is for training purposes and to ensure that the best services are provided to you.
Evaluation of services: To help us provide quality services, we may ask you to provide feedback about our services. We would appreciate your taking a few minutes to provide us with this important information in writing and/or online.
By typing my name below, I am indicating that I am said person, that I have read this Informed Consent Notice in its entirety, and that this shall serve as my electronic signature.