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How to Refer to Counseling and Psychological Services

The following are some ideas on the referral process that are helpful for faculty and staff. These ideas can be used to determine when to refer, to whom to refer, and how to refer students.

A. When to Refer

1. When a student talks to you about a problem or asks for information that you feel uncomfortable or unqualified to handle.
2. When there is a personality clash between you and the student that prevents you from "getting through".
3. If you can tell that the student is reluctant to talk with you, for whatever reason, about the problem.

B. To Whom to Refer

At one time or another, you may have been given the "run-around"-that is, bounced from one office to another. This bouncing around discourages the student. If you are not sure where to refer the student, find out before you send him/her off. We recommend that you obtain a list of persons, offices, and agencies that can be of service to the student and keep it handy. For referrals to Community Resources , you may contact Counseling and Psychological Services to speak with a clinical therapist. Please call 381-2574 or come by CaPS at the University Center, Room 109.

C. How to Refer

1. You may want to share your concern for a student by suggesting that the student talk with the counselor. Information that you may want to share with the student about Counseling and Psychological Services that may lessen fears about going include:
   1. The services are free.
   2. Confidentiality is respected.
   3. No record of counseling services is made on a student's transcript or a job placement file.
   4. Information will not be released without the student's written permission (the usual exception being cases of harm and danger to the student or others).
2. Try to contact one of the clinical therapists personally. If you cannot reach any one of the therapists, contact the secretary of Counseling and Psychological Services to make arrangements. If it is an emergency, inform the secretary so that one of the therapists can be immediately informed.
3. Make the referral in as positive a way as possible. Clarify your reasons for giving the referral, so the student feels like he/she is being sent to a helping resource, rather than feeling rejected, denied or put-down.
4. Do not release confidential information about the student in front of him/her.
5. You may ask whether or not the student kept the appointment, but do not "pump" the student for information after the referral.

Counseling and Psychological Services provides a Referral Guide for Faculty and Staff with additional information. You may view the information online or request a booklet by calling or e-mailing counseling@utpa.edu.

CaPS offers presentations to groups of faculty and staff on handling student emergencies and on QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), a suicide-prevention training. To request a presentation, call the director of CaPS at 381-2574 or e-mail counseling@utpa.edu.