|
Parents and Family
The Counseling Center welcomes parents and family to
contact us if you have any questions or concerns about a student. Parents and family members may have a variety of concerns -- for example,
how the student is handling the loss of a loved one, going through a breakup,
showing signs of depression, having problems with attention or concentration, or
just not acting like his or her usual self. If
you are concerned about someone and the problem is an EMERGENCY, click here.
The Counseling Center provides free consultation to family
and friends of our students. “Consultation”
means seeking advice or information from one of our professional staff. We can help you understand the nature of a particular problem, how you
can be of assistance to the student, and what to do (or what not to do). We can also inform you about other resources on campus or in the
community that can be of help.
To speak with a counselor, just call 607-436-3368 and ask
for a counselor to consult with. If
there is not a counselor available, leave a number and times we can reach you,
and the soonest available counselor will get back to you. If you are not able to call during regular business hours (8:30-noon and
1-4:30 p.m. M-F) you can email a staff member by clicking on any of the links on
our STAFF page.
Clarification about Confidentiality:
Please understand that we realize it can be difficult to be
worried about a son, daughter, or family member and not have information about
services they are seeking. If we
have had professional contact with your student, information about that contact
is confidential unless they give us permission to share (please see below). However, we may still be able to have a discussion with you -- as we
would for any person who calls with questions about how they can help a student
handle a psychological issue. In
such cases, we base the consultation on the information you give us and we do
not reveal or imply any information a student has given us in confidence.
If a student is 18 or older and they are receiving
counseling services, all information (including whether they are a client) is
confidential. This is a legal and
ethical requirement, and it provides the student with their own confidential
space to air out difficulties. Exceptions
include when a student is at imminent risk of harm to self or others, or reports
abuse of a child. Exceptions also
include when a student signs a written release of information that allows some
or all information to be shared with specific identified parties. For or more on Confidentiality policy, click
here.
If your student is
under age 18 and wishes to recieve counseling at the SUNY Oneonta Counseling Center, we will need consent from a parent or guardian. Follow this link to download the Consent Form for treatment for a Minor.
When you are calling for a consultation, we will be
discreet and professional in how we handle the information you give us. While consultations are not technically confidential (since you are not
actually a client), we do consider the best interests of those involved in
handling sensitive information.
There may be some situations where information from a consultation would be
shared with the Student Development team that meets in regard to distressed or
disturbed students. We would do our best to discuss this with you if information
you gave were to be shared.
Read the NY State Office of Mental Health brochure for parents of children in
college with reference to depression and suicide in their suicide
prevention brochure.
For more information about the College of Oneonta Counseling Center visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Also check out these great resources for parents!
The College of Oneonta First
Year Experience Website
Transition Year: A Parent's and Students' Source for Emotional Health at College
|
