Counseling Policies

          The counseling program offers assessment and short term assistance normally involving no more than fifteen sessions. If the initial assessment indicates fifteen sessions are not sufficient to meet the student's needs, the counselor will determine if additional sessions can be arranged. Normally, however, the counselor will refer the student to agencies in the community prepared to provide services over an extended period of time. The counselor will always refer students, requiring medication, to an outside agency. Prescribing and monitoring medication is outside the scope of practice of the counseling staff at the community college.
          In compliance with legal and ethical guidelines, records concerning counseling sessions are confidential. Counseling staff maintain records of counseling sessions separately from academic records. Under normal circumstances, information from counseling sessions will not be divulged unless the student has signed a release requesting information be shared with others. However, there are certain exceptions to confidentiality. For example, a judge can issue a court order compelling counselors to testify in certain situations, such as child custody proceedings and circumstances where the client's emotional state is an important issue in the case. In addition, counselors, in the State of Kansas, are required by law to report suspected abuse of children and adults who are not mentally competent. Counselors are also required to notify potential victims if a client is threatening to kill or seriously harm the victim. Finally, if a client indicates they are contemplating suicide it may be necessary to seek hospitalization for the client and to contact family members or others who can help protect the client from suicidal behavior. Counselors, at the community college, also reserve the right to consult with other professionals concerning the client's problems. However, the client's identity will not be revealed to the consultant unless the client has given written permission.
          The counseling program, at Cloud County Community College, is committed to providing services that are sensitive to cultural, ethnic, and gender diversity. All full time students, attending classes on the main campus in Concordia, are eligible to participate. Students, who are physically challenged, will be provided with reasonable accommodations in order to facilitate participation in counseling
programs.
          Students who miss two counseling sessions without canceling twenty-four hours in advance will be notified that if they miss a third time without advance cancellation their case will be closed. A student who terminates counseling against the advice of the counselor or through failure to attend sessions will not be eligible to participate in the counseling program for one semester.
          Referrals will be accepted from any source. Students may refer themselves. Referrals of students will also be accepted from other students, parents, faculty and staff, and other agencies in the community. The counseling staff will attempt to respond to any referral within two working days of its receipt. When students refer themselves, the counselor will schedule an appointment with them at the earliest possible time. Students referred by others will be contacted by phone or letter and encouraged to make an appointment. Participation in counseling is voluntary and students have the right to refuse to participate.