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Referring Students to the Counseling Center (Parents and Family)

You can help a student by referring them to the Counseling Center using the talking points listed below:

  • Use the guidelines for talking with a student in distress.
  • Normalize counseling as a resource that can benefit most individuals, regardless of the nature or severity of their presenting concern.
  • Inform students that their first visit to the Counseling Center is for an Initial Consultation, where they will briefly discuss their concerns with a clinician and receive recommendations. Remind them that an Initial Consultation does not require a commitment to ongoing counseling.
  • To get started with services, schedule an Initial Consultation by phone.

  • Call the Counseling Center at (828)262-3180 to schedule an Initial Consultation appointment by phone. Please be prepared to provide your Banner ID number when you call. Please call during business hours (Mon-Fri 8:00-5:00) to schedule an appointment for a day/time that matches your schedule and counselor availability.
  • After scheduling, you will be sent instructions and a link to securely complete background information and history of your concerns. Please note that this must be completed prior to your Initial Consultation appointment.
  • Your Initial Consultation appointment with a counselor by phone will last approximately twenty minutes. The counselor will talk with you about your concerns and collaborate with you to make recommendations for services and resources in the Counseling Center, on campus, and/or in the community that will best match your needs.

How do I know if my student has received services at the Counseling Center?

Consistent with state law, without your student’s consent, we can neither confirm nor deny that they are a client at the Counseling Center or that we have seen them. We advise that you ask your student directly and encourage open communication with them. If you feel that it is vital for you to learn whether the student came to the Counseling Center, ask the student to sign a release of information form when they are here, giving us permission to confirm with you that they came in. Even in cases when we cannot share that we have seen your student, you may still share concerns with us. If you believe you have information that might assist us in helping your student, we invite you to contact us.

Resources/Referrals