Faculty and Staff have frequent and meaningful contact with our students. You are likely to be in contact with students who would benefit from counseling either for 1) normal, healthy, developmental growth or 2) more serious psychological problems. On this page you will find a summary of services and recommendations for referring students for counseling. Do not hesitate to phone us with any specific questions. We are grateful for your role in helping students make use of our services.
Services offered
Personal, social, emotional concerns discussed with a caring professional in a private setting
Confidential, private, cost-free; no information given to parents, faculty, deans, or administrators without student’s permission
Male and female counselors available
Referral to off-campus services, such as psychiatrists, if necessary (i.e., evaluations, medications, long-term therapy)
Students can schedule appointments with counselors in person or by phone. A helpful tip to increase the chance of a student using counseling services is for a caring PVCC faculty or staff to either walk the student over to Counseling or to call the Counseling Center while the student is with you, and put the student on the phone to schedule an appointment.
Typical concerns discussed in Individual Counseling include:
Stress
Anxiety
Depression
Social Conflict
Relationship Concerns
Trauma
Eating Disorders
Bereavement, Loss
Family concerns
Loss of motivation
Substance abuse
Study Skills Counseling
Individual help with time management, note-taking, test-taking, and other study skills; also group workshops on study skills topics.
Consultations
A consultation may help you sort out your concerns about a student's personal difficulties; discuss whether and/or how to refer the student to the Counseling Center; explore alternative approaches; and manage emergencies.
If you wish to get information about a specific student who is a Counseling Center client, we must first obtain a signed release of confidentiality form from the client. If this is the case:
Tell the student you wish to consult us
Ask him/her to sign a release form at the Counseling Center
Click on above link for specific information on when and how to refer students to Counseling.
Explain that the Counseling Center is for all students.
You are always free to consult us to strategize about the specific referral
Assure student of confidentiality (not shared with parents, faculty, or staff)
In general and in non-emergency situations, it is often helpful to refer to the Counseling Center – not to a specific counselor
Student may assume other counselors are “second best”
It may be a longer wait matching schedule with a specific counselor
Student may request a male or female when they schedule appointment
Once the student contacts Counseling, all information is confidential (including whether they have come in)
If you urgently need to know whether a student has come in, alert us (x76540) before the student sees us, and we will request they sign a waiver
If you think there is high enough risk (not just discomfort) please do not hesitate to simply walk the student over and a counselor will make the availability to meet with the student
Explain what is likely to happen in counseling
Counselor will listen to student’s concerns in an empathetic, nonjudgmental manner
Counselor will work with student to help them define and achieve personal, relationship, educational, and career goals. Counselors are available to provide on-going support and encouragement to all students registered at PVCC.
It’s up to the student whether to continue counseling – so they need not avoid it for fear they will be “forced” to continue
Express your interest in student letting you know “how it goes,” adding that the Counseling Center will not be sharing with the professor or staff.
Describe specific aspects of the Counseling Center
Male and female counselors
Location – Kranitz Student Center
Hours are Monday-Thursdays, 8:00am-7:00pm, Fridays, 8:00am-5:00pm
After hours call College Safety (x7900) or contact Value Options (602-222-9444)
Voluntary – they will never be “called in” for counseling
Cost is free
Consider walking the student over to Counseling or having the student schedule the appointment from your office
Communicate your continued concern – but avoid asking specifics after the referral
You may become more involved than is best for the student or you
The boundaries get confused: you may be grading the student in a class
Paradise Valley Community College | 18401 N. 32nd Street | Phoenix, AZ 85032 | 602.787.6500
