Self-Referrals for MWCC Faculty, Referring a Student
What services do counselors provide?
Counselors can help with a variety of issues, such
as:
- Academic counseling
- Personal counseling
- Counseling on disability
issues
- Study skills and strategies, including learning
styles
- Career counseling
- Adjustment to life crises
- Issues around anxiety and depression
What are some of the reasons for referring a student
to Counseling Services?
There are many reasons why you might suggest a student
see a counselor, including:
- Declining interest in activities or in socializing
with others
- Inability to concentrate; reduced ability to cope
with stress
- Behavior that is troublesome to self or others,
such as increased use of alcohol or other substances
- Relationship problems
- Excessive fears or unusual anxiety
- Excessive absences from classes or failing grades
- Inability to organize and prepare assignments
- Issues related to a disability that are creating
barriers in the educational experience
- Need to determine next steps in a career path
- Desire to make positive life changes
How should I approach a student about seeing a counselor?
- Always address your concerns with the student
in private.
- Let the student know that your intent is to help
her/him achieve success in college
- Show genuine interest while sharing your specific
concerns about the student’s actions or reactions
in class.
- Contact Nancy Kennedy, ahead of time, if desired,
to discuss a strategy for approaching a student.
- You may be able to facilitate the referral by
encouraging the student to call for an appointment while
in your office. Sometimes it is less intimidating for
the student if the instructor calls to see if a counselor
is available, and then walks over to the counselor’s
office with the student.
- The student can call one of the counselors directly
to make an appointment.
- Walk-in services are usually available for situations
that require immediate attention. Otherwise encourage
the student to make an appointment.
- The student may not act immediately on your suggestion.
She/he may need time to think about making an appointment.
If the situation does not appear critical, gently inquire
about the situation later.
What should I do when a student’s behavior disrupts
the class?
- Inappropriate behavior can be distracting for
the instructor and students. It is advisable for faculty
members to clearly inform students of behavioral expectations
at the beginning of the semester and include them in
the syllabus.
- If you are not sure if a problem is a disciplinary
or a counseling issue, please contact Nancy Kennedy to
discuss the situation. There are students on campus,
who have inappropriate behavior related to a disability.
Although they must also abide by behavioral expectations,
this can sometimes be more easily facilitated by a team
approach with a counselor.
- If a problem arises, speak to the student privately
after class.
- If the problem persists, refer to the student
discipline policy in the MWCC Student Handbook.
- In cases requiring immediate action for safety,
request assistance from Campus Police, by using the emergency
telephone in the hallway.