Counseling Psychologist

Assessment and possible diagnosis, to include:

1. Assessments and recommendations for applicants;

2. Review of Social Intake Form (SIF) or intake assessment performed by counseling staff of students who indicate mental-health history, current mental-health problems, or who request to see the Center Mental-Health Consultant within one week of arrival;

3. Mental-health assessments and recommendations for referred students. Students who are assessed as a safety risk to self or others must be continuously supervised, until their case is resolved. Disposition should occur as soon as possible;

4. Determination when a MSWR or medical separation is appropriate and recommended for students with mental health conditions and/or substance use co-occurring conditions.

5. Assistance with the applicant file review process and participation in the centers’reasonable accommodation committee as needed.

Mental health promotion and education, to include:

1. Minimum of a one-hour presentation on mental-health promotion for all new students during the Career Preparation Period with an emphasis on employability:

a. Presentations must explain the Mental-Health and Wellness Program, what services are available, and how to make a self-referral.

b. Students will learn basic skills in identifying and responding to a mental health crisis.

2. At least one annual center-wide mental-health promotion and education activity

3. Clinical consultation with Center Director, management staff, and Health and Wellness Manager regarding mental health-related promotion and education efforts for students and staff.

4. Coordination with other departments/programs on center, including, but not limited, to residential, recreation, student government association, and HEALs, to develop integrated promotion and education services. 

Treatment to include:

1. Short-term counseling with mental-health checks as needed. The focus of these sessions should be on retention and behaviors that represent employability barriers;

2. Collaboration with TEAP specialist for short-term counseling of students with co-occurring conditions of mental-health issues and substance use;

3. Collaboration with center physician and Health-and-Wellness staff on psychotropic medication monitoring of stable students, with the advice of consulting psychiatrist, if appropriate;

4. Collaboration with counseling staff in developing and/or leading psychoeducational skill- building groups to promote wellness (e.g., relaxation training, anger management, mood regulation, assertiveness skills, handling relationships, sleep hygiene, etc.);

5. Information exchange through regular case conferences between the Center Mental Health Consultant, counselors, and other appropriate staff based on individual student needs;

6. Crisis intervention, as needed. In the event of a mental health emergency, the Center Mental-Health Consultant or the Center Physician must conduct a mental health evaluation as soon as possible, and when necessary, refer the student for psychiatric care. If the Center Physician or Center Mental-Health Consultant is not available, the student must be referred immediately to the emergency room of the nearest medical facility. If there is a life- threatening situation, 911 or the emergency response team should be called;

7. Referral to off-center mental-health professionals or agencies for ongoing treatment and/or specialized services;

8. A written referral/feedback system must be established and documented in the student-health record.