Referral Guidelines
At your first appointment at the Student Counseling Service (SCS), the counselor may refer you to seek further psychological services outside of the Student Counseling Service. Why? Referrals are a result of a combination of (a) the nature of the concerns you have and (b) the likely length of treatment you may need to make meaningful progress. Below are some common reasons why referrals are made:
Long-term counseling is a very expensive service which Miami, like other universities, can only be provided in rare cases. Thus, in an effort to be fair and to provide quality, ethical, and efficient service, the SCS is committed to follow a brief therapy model. This means that, typically, we see students who can meaningfully be helped within a relatively short time period.
If your counselor assesses that your concerns would be most adequately addressed in a long-term setting, she/he will discuss with you the available referral options so that you can continue your work with a mental health professional outside the university. While this may be disappointing news at first, it means you will be able to have your needs met in the most effective and efficient way.
Sometimes the particular issue or concern you have may require the help of professionals with specific expertise that is not available among the staff at SCS.
The Wait List. If it is your first session, you and the counselor will see if you are truly comfortable waiting for the next available counselor to have an opening. This might be an extended time (a situation we also deeply regret). If not, a referral to a private practitioner who is available sooner may be a better option for you. As the academic year progresses, the Wait List typically becomes increasingly lengthy. The wait time on the Wait List is not entirely predictable. Sometimes the list may change rapidly. At other times, the list may effectively stall, where a few people are picked up for some time. We cannot give you a dependable or guaranteed length of time for the wait.
We do our best to identify service providers who are as close as possible to the Oxford area. Click here for a list of mental health providers in private practice in the Oxford area. If it is more practical for you, we can inform you about how to select such a provider in your home town. If you have any questions about referrals, please talk to your counselor or call the Student Counseling Service at 529-4634.
How much does counseling cost at SCS?
Sessions per Year |
Fee |
|---|---|
1-5 |
Funded by general student fees |
6+ |
$20 Each |
Psychiatric Service |
Initial Evaluation $30 |
Career Testing |
No charge for most tests except MBTI and SII ($15.00 each) |
Group Counseling |
Funded by general student fees |
No Show Fee |
$20 each |
How do I make an appointment at SCS?
Call 529-4634 during our business hours (8AM to 5PM). The receptionist will arrange for an initial session. The purpose of the initial session is to identify your problems and to explore how to best meet your needs. The counselor that you meet with will explore with you the various options available to you and will help you to make a decision among these options. In an emergency, we work hard to see you as soon as possible. If you have any questions about any of our services, if you would like to consult about a situation, or if you would like to set up for an appointment, please give us a call.
Last Updated: 03-16-09
Contact:
Jill Hollenbaugh, Administrative Assistant
(513) 529-4634