Policies and FAQ : University of Dayton, Ohio

Policies

Below you will find details of policies that most impact the work of the UD Counseling Center. For questions about these or other policies/procedures at the UD Counseling Center, please call 937-229-3141 or email counselingcenter@udayton.edu.

Scope of Care

The University of Dayton’s Counseling Center offers support through a Catholic and Marianist framework, aiming to make all students feel welcome to use our confidential services. Services are available at no additional cost to undergraduate students, graduate students with an assistantship, and students in the law school, Lalanne and physician assistant programs. Therapy and psychiatric records are stored securely through the UD Counseling Center and are not a part of a student’s educational record.

As a comprehensive counseling center, we provide many services to our Flyer community. Services include individual therapy, group therapy, emergency, and psychiatric services for students actively engaged with our center. In addition, we offer outreach, consultations for students, faculty, staff and parents, seminars to teach research-based coping strategies, and debriefing support following tragedies. We aim to balance offering a variety of services along with emergency same-day support.

Our hope is students form a strong working relationship with their therapist. Students who engage in sessions likely will experience the greatest improvement in overall emotional well-being, confidence in their ability to successfully navigate life struggles, healthy relationship functioning, and identity development. Students can expect to learn helpful coping skills when visiting the UD Counseling Center.

Individual therapy provided by the UD Counseling Center is most frequently either short-term, or intermittent (e.g., visiting the center once or twice a month or several times a semester) in nature. It is our intention to meet the needs of our Flyer community, but sometimes that means helping students find local resources when the need is beyond our scope of care. For example, students who are in need of non-emergency weekly therapy, case management, psychoeducational testing or intensive outpatient therapy would likely exceed the center's capacity and can request a referral. The center has sole discretion to determine when student exceeds the scope of the center's care.

We are proud to be part of UD's step care model. We often connect students to campus partners to help students enhance their emotional well-being, further academic success and increase life satisfaction. We partner with UD Student Development, all members of our campus community, and professionals in the greater Dayton area in suicide prevention.

If you have any questions regarding our scope of care or services, please call the UD Counseling Center at 937-229-3141. We look forward to serving you and hope that you will have a welcoming experience! We are grateful to support you on your journey.

Confidentiality

All services at UD's Counseling Center are completely confidential. This means we will not share information about you without your written permission. Your record with us is kept separate from your UD academic record.

Exceptions to confidentiality may include:

Instances where you are at immediate risk of harming yourself or someone else.
In the case of legal requirements, such as a court order.
If a student discloses current child, elder or animal abuse, which must be reported to the appropriate agency.
In other instances as required by law (e.g. an Ohio law mandates the reporting of any hazing incidents).

Accommodations

The UD Counseling Center works with students and UD's Office of Learning Resources to assist students in accessing accommodations to increase academic success when a mental health concern significantly impacts functioning. A request for accommodations begins with the Office of Learning Resources; students can choose to sign a release of information that would allow their therapist at UD's Counseling Center to submit documentation related to the requested accommodations.

Emotional Support Animal Accommodations

An emotional support animal (ESA) is an animal that provides comfort to an individual with a disability upon the recommendation of a mental health professional and alleviates one or more identifiable symptoms or effects of a person’s disability, when the need for such an animal has been established.

An ESA's role is to alleviate symptoms of a disability in order to provide equal opportunities to use and enjoy housing. The regulations permitting ESAs pertain only to places of residence or “dwelling” and does not include the right to have an ESA accompany someone outside of their residence (e.g., class or work). Individuals with ESAs are expected to honor state law and county or city ordinances related to animals. ESAs are not required to have special training. An ESA is distinctly different from a service animal (for more information, see the Americans with Disabilities Act).

The UD Counseling Center is unable to conduct the necessary assessment to verify if a student would benefit from an ESA. Doing so requires additional certification on the part of the provider, and at this time, no providers at UD are certified to provide this documentation. If you are interested in seeking an evaluation for an ESA, we recommend you call your health insurance company for a list of covered mental health professionals who may offer this type of evaluation. Those interested in seeking an evaluation for an ESA will likely be required to demonstrate:

You are currently seeking ongoing mental health treatment.
You have been diagnosed with a DSM-5 psychiatric disability.
This disability substantially limits at least one major life activity.
There is a clear connection between the psychological symptoms and the use of an ESA to alleviate these symptoms.

Telebehavioral Health

The UD Counseling Center is able to offer telebehavioral health services via a secured Zoom platform. Telebehavioral health services may not be appropriate or the best choice of service for reasons including, but not limited to: heightened risk of harm to oneself or others; lack of access to, or difficulty with, communication technology; significant communication service disruptions; or need for more intensive services. In these cases, your therapist will help you establish referrals to appropriate services.

In your initial meeting with the therapist, you will discuss your preferences regarding remote or in-person services. If you wish to receive services via Zoom, your therapist will discuss risks and benefits with you. Please note, telebehavioral health services may not be appropriate for all mental health concerns. Your therapist will discuss their recommendations with you in the initial appointment.

In addition, after starting telebehavioral health services your therapist may determine, because of certain circumstances, that telebehavioral services are no longer appropriate and will request you to resume in person sessions or be referred to someone in your community.

Important Considerations

Receiving services via telebehavioral health can sometimes be challenging. You may have disruptions or delays because of technical issues.
It is critical you use a secure internet connection rather than public/free Wi-Fi. Public Wi-Fi presents additional security risks and must not be used for telebehavioral health services.
It is critical you have a private space for sessions. Your therapist may terminate the session if there are others in the room, or if they have concerns about the privacy of your conversation. This would include roommates, parents, significant others, caretakers, and friends. If you are unable to locate a private space for sessions, in-person services will be recommended for you.
You must be willing to use the camera feature for telebehavioral health. Therapists will not start or continue a therapy session for telebehavioral health unless they can make visual contact with you.
You and your therapist will discuss a backup plan in case of technology failure. The most reliable backup is a phone. Therefore, it is recommended that you always have a phone available. If you get disconnected from a telebehavioral health session, end and restart the session. If you are unable to reconnect within five minutes, you agree (unless you request otherwise) that your provider can call you on the phone number you listed on the client information form.
To receive telebehavioral health services, you will be required to provide your current physical location and an emergency contact at each session. Per state law, the UD Counseling Center therapists cannot provide clinical services outside of the state of Ohio. If you are planning to be out of state for any reason during a session, please reschedule your appointment.
You must agree not to record any part of your session with your therapist, nor will your therapist record your session. Trainees under the supervision of a licensed therapist will obtain your consent before recording. Those recordings will be used for clinical supervision purposes only. If the UD Counseling Center discovers that you have been recording any part of the sessions (group or individual) your treatment may be terminated at the center and you will be referred to a community provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions not answered below, please don't hesitate to reach out at 937-229-3141, counselingcenter@udayton.edu or in person at our front desk in Gosiger Hall.

General FAQ

Who can use the Counseling Center?

All enrolled University of Dayton undergraduates, graduate students and Intensive English Program students are eligible for services.

The Counseling Center does not provide services to UD faculty, staff, or members of the Dayton community that are not currently enrolled students.

What will service cost?

All services are free to current undergraduate students.

Graduate students and Intensive English Program students may utilize drop-in services, crisis services and ADTS for no charge. Depending on the graduate program, charges may apply for ongoing services at the rates listed below. If you are a graduate student, please contact the UD CounselingCetner with questions.

Cost Schedule for Graduate Students
Charges	1st Session	Subsequent Sessions
Individual Therapy	$25	$50
Psychiatric Services	$50	$25

Does the UD Counseling Center charge for no-call, no-shows?

Yes. The Counseling Center understands there are sometimes extenuating circumstances that keep a student from attending an appointment. However, if a student does not call or email us to cancel a scheduled appointment by two hours before the start time of that appointment, there will be a $25 no-show charge that will go directly to their student account. To maintain confidentiality, it is not listed as a Counseling Center charge.

Will anyone know if I come to the Counseling Center?

Your clinician will not speak with anyone about your confidential concerns without your written permission. When you receive services at the UD Counseling Center, a client record is created with information about your history, treatment goals, progress and any testing results or correspondence that may occur. This record is separate from university and health center records. Generally, information about you is not released from the UD Counseling Center unless you provide written consent.

Your privacy is protected unless the law requires that we break confidentiality. This might occur:

When there is a court order.
If there is an emergency or a situation threatening your life or the life of another.
If evidence suggests endangerment to a minor, vulnerable adult or animal.
If you are a minor seeking services and we must have a parent's consent to treat you.
When otherwise required by law (e.g. in instances of hazing).

How do I make an appointment?

If you are currently a client, you typically schedule your next appointment directly with your therapist at the end of each session. If something has prevented this, or if you need to reschedule an appointment, you can call the UD Counseling Center at 937-229-3141 or stop by the front desk during normal business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekdays)) to schedule an appointment with your therapist.

Students not currently receiving ongoing services at the Counseling Center are recommended to attend drop-in hours to meet with a therapist.

If you cannot attend drop-in hours because of your class or work schedule, call us at 937-229-3141 to discuss alternatives.

Drop-In Hours

What can I expect at drop-in hours?

When you arrive, the front desk will take demographic information and direct you to fill out a few forms. Drop-in students are generally seen on a first-come, first-served basis, but students will be seen sooner if there is an urgent need.

The length of drop-in sessions vary depending on need, but usually last 30-40 minutes. During this time, you and a mental health professional will discuss your needs and concerns, along with coping and problem solving skills.

Students seeking to connect with ongoing services at the Counseling Center will also start with drop-in hours. After your initial visit, you will be referred to services your clinician believes will be most helpful for you, such as a seminar, group or individual therapy, or a combination.

Sometimes, your needs may fall outside our scope of practice; in this case, the clinician will provide referrals to a community provider who can better assist you.

Drop-In Hours

How long do ongoing services last?

Individual sessions typically last 45-60 minutes and take place 1-2 times per month. Group sessions occur more frequently and are more intensive. In general, groups are an hour each week during the semester.

There is no specified duration of services. Everyone is different. Clinicians and students work together to determine how long services are needed.

How do I cancel or reschedule an appointment?

We understand there are times where you may need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. Please cancel the appointment as far in advance as possible by calling 937-229-3141 or by responding “cancel” to your email reminder. You must cancel or reschedule more than two hours before your appointment time to avoid a no-show charge.

Can I request a certain therapist or switch therapists?

Let us know if you prefer a particular therapist and we will try to honor your request.

If you feel you are not connecting with your therapist, call or stop by the front desk to ask to switch therapists.

In both cases, wait times for appointments may be longer.

Does the Counseling Center prescribe medication?

Our therapists do not prescribe medication, but the UD Counseling Center does contract with a psychiatrist and a psychiatric nurse practitioner for clients who are in need of medication. A student must be referred to the psychiatrist by their UD Counseling Center therapist. It is the UD Counseling Center's policy that a student must be engaged in ongoing services to continue receiving psychiatric services.

If you only need medication and not therapy, the UD Counseling Center can provide you with a referral to a psychiatrist in the Dayton area. We also recommend you check with your insurance provider to determine which providers might be covered under your plan.

The Counseling Center is not able to provide psychiatric services for ADHD medication only.

How do I get the most out of my Counseling Center experience?

Whether you are engaging in group or individual therapy, maximize your progress by being an active participant.

Clarify your goals — write down your thoughts, be specific and prioritize your concerns.
Be descriptive about your concerns.
Arrive on time and try not to miss your scheduled appointments — this maximizes the time you have in treatment.
Be open and honest, ask questions, and seek clarification.
Let your therapist know if you are feeling worse.
Be honest about safety concerns — your safety is our priority.
Make time to think about the things you have discussed with your counselor and/or in group in between sessions.
Follow through on homework assignments from your therapist — practice strategies and skills discussed in your session and keep a journal.

FAQ for Parents and Guardians

I'm worried about my student and want them to go to the Counseling Center. How can I help them?

Explain your concerns directly and gently. It helps if you can cite specific examples about why you are concerned. Indicate that you would like them to go to the UD Counseling Center for drop-in hours. You can ask them to try it, and there is very little risk in talking with someone. UD Counseling Center services are free and confidential.

What if my student declines to go to the Counseling Center?

It is, of course, the student's right not to go to the UD Counseling Center. In this case, you can respect their wishes but continue to express concern. If your student lives in a residence hall, you can speak to the resident assistant (RA). RAs are not bound to the same strict confidentiality rules as mental and physical health providers. Even if talking to the RA is not possible or does not produce the desired result, please continue to check your student's emotional wellbeing on a regular basis. If you are concerned about your student's safety and are worried they are an immediate risk to themselves or others, you can contact UD Housing and Residence Life or UD Public Safety (937-229-3141) to request a safety check. You may also file a CARE report.

I'm worried about my student, and I want to know what is being discussed during counseling sessions.

Adults have complete control of their medical records. They need to give written permission to allow others to access the information. If the student does not sign a release, it is illegal for the provider to discuss their case.

What if I just want confirmation that my student is attending scheduled appointments, but I don't want to know what is being discussed?

Legally, your student must sign a release form for us to confirm appointment attendance, even if we do not discuss appointment details.

What if I want to tell a therapist something about my student, but I don't want to learn anything about the session?

You are free to leave information with a staff therapist. However, the therapist cannot share any information with you without a release of information.

We can be reached at 937-229-314 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.

Counseling Center Policies and FAQ