Referral Guidelines
What counseling is about?
Counseling is a process through which the counselor assists the student in self-exploration, self-growth, and in exploring new ways of solving problems. Counseling is conducted through sessions during which the student meets with the counselor in a comfortable and confidential setting to discuss specific issues. Some examples about what may be processed during these sessions are: issues related to academics such as time management, procrastination, and study skills enhancement, or issues related to self-growth such as personality type exploration and career and life planning, or issues related to general wellness such as depression, anxiety, stress management, healthy relationships, and abuse .
Examples of Warning signs and symptoms:
- In Academics:
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Significant decline in performance.
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Poor attendance and participation.
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Repeated requests for special consideration or extensions.
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Uncharacteristic need for additional attention.
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Difficulties with concentration in class or performance on exams.
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Student indicating they’re leaving school or transferring.
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- In Behavior:
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Outburst of anger, over-reactive.
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Crying and tearfulness.
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More withdrawn, loses interest in things usually enjoyed
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Talking or writing about suicide or homicide.
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Extreme levels of activity.
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Conversations that do not make sense.
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Threats to classmates and angry, harassing behaviors.
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Intoxicated.
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Excessive anxiety and worries.
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Student relates traumatic changes in her/his life; such as, death of family member / close friend, divorce and breakups, changes in family responsibilities, difficulties in important relationships.
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- In Appearance:
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Deterioration in hygiene, appearance, or dress.
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Cuts, bruises, burns, ..on body.
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Dramatic weight loss or gain.
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Swollen or red eyes.
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Depressed mood.
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Guidelines for referral and dealing with distressed students
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Speak to the student in private.
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Express and voice interest and concern without judgment or criticism.
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Describe the observable behavior of concern without trying to diagnose it.
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Listen carefully, and repeat back to the student the essence of what she/he told you.
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Don’t argue or debate moral issues (in case of suicide thoughts for example)
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Don’t act shocked.
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Don’t challenge or dare.
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Explore and suggest options for assistance, such as family, friends, or referral to the Student Counseling Center (SCC).
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If a student needs help immediately, offer to contact the SCC in her/his presence.
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To make an appointment, the student can either call or stop by our office.
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If you call the SCC on behalf of a student, identify yourself and explain to the receptionist that you are assisting a student in making an appointment. Provide the receptionist with information as to the level of urgency (immediate need, the next day, the next week) and a brief description of the behavior of concern. Then allow the student to speak directly to the receptionist to arrange an appointment.
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In case the student is reluctant to accept the referral, help her/him verbalize the reason behind the reluctance and address it in an understanding way, and give her/him the opportunity to take time to think about it in case they say “no”..
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In case of a follow up about a referral, ask the student if she/ contacted the SCC, and/or get a signed authorization, from the student, to share information with the SCC, if necessary. Student’s confidentiality prohibits the SCC from sharing information about students you referred unless there is a written authorization from the student.
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In case of doubt about how to intervene with the student regarding counseling issues, contact the Student Counseling Center, at (+974) 4403-3755 , on weekdays from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm. If a student shows any behavior that may put others at risk, contact the university security department at 485 2555, and in case of a medical emergency contact the University Medical Clinic at (+974) 4403-3290 from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm.
