Counseling & Testing Center
 

• Specialized Interests
• alcohol/drugs
• eating/body image
• glbtq students
• graduate students
• international students
• on–line screenings
• students of color
• students with disabilities
• test anxiety

Faculty/Staff Referral

As individuals who work closely with UK students‚ you may encounter distressed students in your offices or classrooms. Your role could be a crucial and positive one in identifying and referring students who are experiencing some difficulty with academic‚ career‚ or personal concerns.

 lookfor

What to Look For

The following signs may indicate a need to refer a student to the Counseling & Testing Center:

• Infrequent class attendance with little or no work completed
• Dependency‚ e.g.‚ the student who hangs around you inappropriately or asks to meet with you excessively
• Chronic fatigue‚ lack of energy‚ or frequently falling asleep in class
• Abrupt/marked changes in behavior and/or appearance
• Bizarre or inappropriate behavior and/or garbled disjointed thoughts
• Evidence of alcohol/drug abuse‚ impaired function
• Behavior which often interferes with class
• Stressful/traumatic events in student’s life
• Overtly suicidal thoughts‚ e.g.‚ referring to suicide as a current option or making an indirect reference to suicide or death
• Frequent or intense irritability‚ including unruly‚ aggressive‚ violent‚ or abrasive behavior
• Normal emotions that are displayed to an extreme degree for a prolonged period of time‚ e.g.‚ fearfulness‚ tearfulness
• Expressed uncertainty and anxiety about emotional stability‚ family situation‚ and or relationship problem
• Concerns/questions about major/career decision–making
• Apparently motivated student who consistently performs poorly on exams‚ or who exhibits test anxiety
• Statements about being “overwhelmed” by coursework/courseload or life stressors.

 whatto do

What You Can Do

You may want to call for a consultation to discuss your concerns about a student. One of our psychologists will help you clarify what may be the most helpful way to approach the student‚ including a possible referral. For more information, please visit our Consultation web page.

or

Talk to the student directly and express your concern. Give the student the Counseling & Testing Center phone number (257–8701) and location (201 Frazee Hall) and encourage him/her to make an appointment.

If the situation is an emergency: Call the Counseling & Testing Center (257–8701) and state‚ “This is an emergency. The student needs an appointment immediately.”

If a student has a weapon or threatens you‚ call 911.

We consider a situation to be an emergency when there is:

1. imminent danger of physical harm to self and/or others‚ and/or
2. disabling emotional distress‚ e.g.‚ insomnia‚ uncontrollable crying‚ agitation‚ inability to manage daily tasks.

 whatwe do

What We Do

Assessment of the Student

In the initial interview a counselor will assess the student’s needs and what services may be appropriate. The following options may be considered:

• Further assessment using career‚ learning skills‚ and/or psychological testing
• Individual‚ group‚ couples‚ or family counseling sessions
• Referral to other departments or services on campus and/or in the community

Services Offered at the Counseling Center

• Crisis intervention
• Time–managed individual counseling
• Career assessment and counseling
• Self–exploration groups
• Couples counseling
• Grief interventions
• Focused short–term groups
• Psychological assessment
• Consultation
• Outreach presentations
• Referrals

Follow–Up

We understand that you may be interested in the progress of the student you have referred; however‚ we are bound by the principles of confidentiality as defined by the Ethical Principles of Psychologists (American Psychological Association) and can release information only with written permission from the client.

We can

• Answer your questions concerning steps to take in assisting students in coming to the Counseling & Testing Center
• Offer you information about psychological concerns and problems in general

We cannot

• Say whether a student is being seen here or has kept an appointment
• Discuss the content of sessions
• Discuss treatment plans or progress

A student may find it in his/her best interest for information to be shared with faculty‚ staff‚ a family member or significant other. A student must provide written authorization to the Counseling & Center for information to be shared with anyone.

 eligibility 

Who is Eligible

Any student enrolled and paying fees for at least 6 credit hours at the University of Kentucky can use Counseling & Testing services. If students took at least 6 credits in the spring and are pre–registered for 6 credits the next fall‚ they can also use our services during the summer. Doctoral candidates registered for 0 credit hour dissertation status are also eligible.

 

---

The Counseling & Testing Center is located in 201 Frazee Hall‚ next to the Student Center. Hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm‚ Monday through Friday. We can be reached by phone at (859) 257–8701.