RU COUNSELING SERVICES MISSION
Welcome to Randall University’s Counseling Services. Our goal is to provide short-term mental health services that will assist RU students with emotional development, problem solving and decision-making capabilities, assess and improve the student’s Christian lifestyle, if applicable, and to provide educational outreach to the wider community of RU students, faculty, and staff.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:
You will be treated with dignity and respect. Therapy is not always easy; you may have feelings of frustration or feel your symptoms are worsening during the process. It is important to communicate any such feelings to your therapist.
- Sessions are typically 45 to 50 minutes.
- RU personal counseling services are free of charge.
- Students can receive up to six (6) appointments per semester. Students can apply for additional sessions through their practitioner.
- Services may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the counselor for any reason. In the event of termination, appropriate referrals will be made. (ACA Code of Ethics A 11 a, b, c)
- Services are designed to be short-term, but University Counseling will take into consideration mitigating factors such as ability to pay outside services, transportation, etc. However, the counselor may, at the most ethical benefit to the client, refer to outside services based on the treatment needs of the client. Once a client is working with an off-campus provider, the client will no longer seek on campus services from the counselor. Emergent cases will be seen on as needed basis in this case. (ACA Code of Ethics A 11 d, A 12 A 3)
- Counselors do not provide letters for emotional support animals (ESA). Counselors can assist in providing referrals for off-campus providers in this event.
- Counselors can provide a letter of support involving a request to withdraw from the university due to issues involving mental health if the student is a current client and seen within the semester of the request.
- Records are kept secured and on file for six years. You may request a synopsis of the records for use in transferring services or for assistance in wrap-around medical care but all records are the property of University Counseling and will not be released. (ACA Code of Ethics, B 6e)
- Counselors are prohibited from engaging in personal virtual relationships with clients through social and other media (ACA Code of Ethics A 5 e)
- Interpersonal, romantic, and sexual relationships with clients are prohibited (ACA Code of Ethics A 5 a)
- As a Christian Liberal Arts Institution, Counseling Services will provide an orientation consistent with university mission.
CONFIDENTIALITY:
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act): Counseling services are confidential. A written release signed by the client is required for information to be given to anyone. There are limits to confidentiality, however:
- Disclosure of a plan to harm self or others.
- Disclosure of knowledge of child abuse and neglect.
- A signed subpoena by a judge requesting records. Your therapist may utilize a consultant within the office for the purposes of providing better services to you. All information discussed with the consultant is kept confidentially by both parties and names of the clients are confidential.
Information packet: Counseling Services Information Packet
For more information, please email counseling@ru.edu.