Student Referral
Referring a Student for Personal and/or Academic Counseling
Most students do not typically seek out a counselor on campus when they are having personal difficulties. They typically go to someone they are close to including, faculty/staff, resident assistants, friends, and family. As a result of this, you are the ones who can potentially have the most impact on a student’s decision to receive assistance.
Both the Office of Student Success and the Alex Lee Career and Personal Development Center provide consultation to faculty, staff, friends and family of concerned students, as well as counseling on personal and academic issues to the individual students themselves. By discussing your specific concerns we can assess the situation and make recommendations as to whether or not this student would best be served through continued consultation through the Office of Student Success, professional counseling services on campus, or potentially, professional counseling services from another agency in the community.
It is important to be direct with the student when you have concerns and want to refer them for assistance. Academic and/or Personal Counseling is a voluntary service, which students have the right to refuse, except under medically “urgent” situations. Therefore it is crucial that referred students feel that they have a say in their participation in meeting with a professional staff member and do not feel “pressured” into attending. When a student feels pressured this sets the student/counselor relationship up for failure from the very beginning.
When speaking with the student about your concerns try to be as specific as possible, as this will help the student see that you are paying attention and empathetic to the challenges they are experiencing. Also, try to educate the student on the process of seeking outside assistance and help them to see that doing so is not a sign of weakness, but shows strength and maturity, as they are willing to address their own problems. It can sometimes make a difference to point out that they are also paying for these services through their tuition dollars, so why not take advantage!
One last comment about referring a student… the fact that you are here and reading this page means that you are care. Above all else, that is what matters most to students in need (even if they may not be aware of this at the time). There are instances when we cannot respond to your referrals (see Confidentiality statement on next page) but please know that the student referral team makes every effort to reach each student referred, regardless of the reason, and we will update you as we can based on the information received during follow up.
Questions/Comments? Please contact Mr. Stacey Brackett at stacey.brackett@lr.edu / 828.328.7309 or Mrs. Jenny Smith at jenny.smith@lr.edu / 828.328.7252
Student Referral Form >>
