Clinical Counseling Services
For key principles and strategies to assist you in parenting your adult child, please view this presentation (.ppt).
Resources for Friends and Family
As a friend or family member of a student at Indiana Wesleyan University, you have a unique and individual insight into their lives that the faculty/staff often do not have. Amidst the phone calls, e-mails, instant messages, and contacts that you have, you may detect changes in the personality, attitude, thoughts, feelings, and outlook of your family member or fellow student. Sometimes these changes are dramatic and intense enough that you realize the student may need to seek professional counseling services. If this becomes the case, feel free to refer the student to our office or contact us for more information about our services and your concerns. If the student is expressing thoughts of hurting themselves or others, contact our office or their Residential Director immediately. If the contact is after the hours of Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or if the situation warrants, call the Campus Police at 765-677-4911.
When should you refer your son, daughter, brother, sister, grandchild, or friend for services?
Referring someone to the Counseling Services office can be a difficult decision. Here are some indicators to use when deciding if suggesting counseling is appropriate.
- Direct or indirect talk or reference to suicide or self harm
- Social withdrawal or isolation
- Dramatic changes in behavior
- Decreased concern for personal hygiene
- Expressions of sadness, unhappiness, isolation, or any other “overwhelming” emotion
- Loss of interest in things they used to enjoy
- Frequent crying
- Frequent physical illnesses with no medical cause
- Unusual repetitive or ritualistic behavior
- Frequent relationship problems with friends, family, or other students
- Recent break-up of a close relationship
- Recent traumatic event or loss
- Changes in sleep patterns, appetite, or energy level
- Any previous emotional or mental health issues or treatment
How should I make a referral to counseling services?
The relationship that you have with the student who is in need of services is the direct path to use in making a referral for services. Be direct and caring with the student. Explain why you think they need to make an appointment and provide them with our contact information. Let them know that you are concerned about them and that you are there to support them. You may call The Center for Student Success at anytime for guidance, but the student will need to be the one to contact us to initiate services. Students over the age of 18 are viewed as adults. The final decision of whether to seek counseling is theirs to make. Use the relationship that you have developed to encourage them to contact us.
How will I know what happens after they come in for an appointment?
The laws governing medical confidentiality also govern the privacy and confidentiality of counseling services. You are strongly encouraged to use the caring and supportive nature of your relationship with the student to follow-up on whether they attended their appointments or not. Be open to the possibility that they may, or may not, want to talk about the content of the discussions with the counselor. You may call The Center for Student Success to provide information concerning the student, but the counselor will not be able to share any information concerning the student without the expressed written consent of the student. This includes whether they are attending appointments and the content of the counseling sessions.
One important key to a healthy student is a loving family member or friend. You know the student better than anyone else. If you sense that they need help, encourage them to contact The Center for Student Success for an appointment with a counselor.