Although the manner in which a referral to counseling is made may differ depending on circumstances, the following tips may be helpful to you:
- Be direct and specific. Tell the student you believe they may benefit from professional counseling. Point out to them the behavior you observed which leads you to be concerned.
- Pay attention to both direct and indirect communication. Listen to the content of what the person says and acknowledge the feelings conveyed through tone, mannerisms, and posture.
- Avoid labeling the person. Do not, for example, tell a person that he/she is "depressed". Labels make people feel defensive and shift the focus away from the real issue - the behavior which has caused you to become concerned about the student.
- Show your knowledge. The more information you convey about the services available the more the student will have confidence in your credibility as a referral source.
Except in certain emergencies, students at Holy Cross attend counseling sessions on a voluntary basis. If the student is reluctant to accept a referral for whatever reason, express your acceptance of this so that your own relationship with that student is not jeopardized.
Students often need time to think over the decision to begin counseling. They may initially refuse a referral, but may eventually elect to enter counseling on their own if not pressured too much by concerned outsiders. If the student agrees to a referral, encourage him/her to call or visit the Counseling Center to make an appointment. The student will be given an initial appointment with a psychologist/counselor within the next few days.
In an emergency, you may schedule an appointment for a student and may accompany him/her to the initial session if the student wishes. After referring a student to the Office, it might be a good idea for you to have a follow-up contact with that student to show your continued interest in his/her welfare.