Teaching faculty in the classroom are often in the best position to observe when a student is experiencing difficulties that warrant intervention.  The Counseling Department strongly supports teacher-student dialogue that identify problem areas and solutions. However, sometimes these dialogues uncover more serious problems than the instructor feels prepared to handle.  At these times, the best assistance a teacher can offer to a student is a good referral. Counselors are available to support you and students in-person on campus, by phone/email and when you use a Starfish referrals. View our Faculty Welcome Video to learn more. 

What Is Counseling?

Counseling is a helping process that takes place between a student and a professional counselor. In an atmosphere of acceptance, students develop trust in a counselor as a person who is there to promote growth and self-direction. A counselor does not tell a student how to live his or her own life. It is through a sharing of ideas in a caring, respectful relationship that students can make important decisions in their lives.

The role of a counselor is to help students examine their lives by talking about their experiences. This way both the student and the counselor can gain a clear understanding concerning the student’s strengths and life difficulties. The counseling relationship can provide help in building upon the student’s strengths and working on his/her problems. Counselors are readily available for collaboration with faculty. Counselors provide class visits and offer Student Success Workshops.

COUNSELING CENTER SERVICES

The Counseling Center offers assistance with the following:

• Academic (Educational planning for students on Academic Probation, academic performance/success strategies, Time/Academic Amnesty, Change of major)
• Career (assessments to narrow down career options, resources/exploration)
• Transfer (dual admissions information, school selection, application guidance)
• Personal (decision making/life skills, coping with family/peer pressures, work-life balance, stress management, problem-solving skills, community resources and referrals)
• Withdraws (Dropping one or all courses)
• Professor and Student Conflicts 
• Crisis counseling (For emergencies, when on campus, please call security at 811) 

For immediate assistance, when College is closed text or call 988 (national hotline) or 215-685-6440, crisis line.

Confidentiality

Students should understand that both counseling and higher education laws prevent the Counseling Department from sharing counseling records without written permission from the student. There are a few exceptions to confidentiality, and it is important that you understand them. Counselors may have to turn over records for a court order or subpoena. Counselors are also legally-mandated reporters of abuse or suspected abuse of a child, elder, or disabled person, as well as threats made to your life or the life of another. Therefore, if a student chooses to share such information with a counselor, he or she may be required to break confidentiality about the counseling visit in order to protect the safety of the student or others. 

If a student demonstrates behavior that would indicate that she/he is a danger to her/himself, or if she/he is a danger to another student, staff or faculty member, faculty should immediately contact our Security Office at x8111. Subsequently, emergency services (911) and the Counseling Department will be notified if intervention is deemed appropriate by security.

Identifying the Student Who May Benefit From Counseling Center Services

1. Student is consistently late or has excessive absences.
2. Student seems excessively inhibited or withdrawn.
3. Student shows marked inconsistency between classroom performance and test performance. This may indicate excessive test anxiety or a learning disability.
4. Student is usually demanding or dependent (requests many conferences, stays after class with no special purpose).
5. Student tells you he/she is troubled, tense, unable to study or preoccupied with external difficulties (money, family, relationships).
6. Student shows signs of drug or alcohol use.
7. Student is at risk for academic failure (on probation or on verge of being dropped).
8. Student has difficulty managing competing responsibilities (work, school, and family).
9. Student shows inappropriate behavior (outbursts, crying, and excessive hostility).
10. Student appears troubled by career indecision or needs transfer information and help planning the future.

Referring Students to a Counselor

When you wish to refer someone, we suggest that you meet with the student privately to help him or her explore the need for counseling. When a student agrees that he/she could benefit from talking to an experienced counselor, there are several ways to proceed. 

Counselors are available to support you and students in-person, by phone (215-751-8169), email ( ) and Starfish referrals. 

Faculty are encouraged to use the Starfish referrals to the Counseling Department when a student needs assistance with personal/emotional issues. Do not use Starfish, however, if you believe the student may be at risk of suicide. The Counseling Department does check referrals daily but with a serious mental health crisis, immediate help is required.

For immediate assistance, text or call 988 (national hotline) or 215-685-6440, crisis line. Resources can also be found at https://myccp.online/counseling/mental-health-wellness-resources

1. Walk student or tell student to go the Counseling Center, BG-07 in the Bonnell Building to make an appointment that fits their schedule. Students may request to see a specific counselor, or can be assigned to one by the receptionist. Counselors are also available at the Regional Centers. 
2. If the student is willing to see a counselor but is hesitant to take the first step, offer to make the appointment while he/she is in your office. You can also use Starfish Connect to complete a Counseling Referral. This will initiate the Counseling Department staff to reach out directly to the student within 48 business hours.
3. If the student needs immediate assistance or has concerns that can be addressed briefly, counselors are available on a drop-in basis.

Virtual Drop-In Services: 10am -12pm at Main Campus

Counseling hours vary at the Regional Centers and during Summer Sessions.

• Drop in counseling is designed to allow students to see a counselor for a brief session without an appointment. It is handled on a first come, first served basis and is usually limited to fifteen minutes.  More time will be made available to students in crisis.

Referral Tips

1. If you would like to discuss a potential referral before you speak to the student, please call us directly. If you don’t know a specific counselor to call, contact the Counseling Department Head at ext. 8167. You can arrange to be present at a meeting with the counselor and student if all agree it would be appropriate.
2. Sometimes a student may refuse your suggestions for help. At that point, it is best to drop the subject since no amount of coaxing will make the person more amenable to counseling until the are ready.
3. After making a referral, you can contact the counselor for follow-up and to ask how you might help in your capacity as a teacher. Personal issues the student discusses with the counselor are kept confidential.

STATEMENT ON DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR

Faculty have the right to hold students to standards of behavior that are conducive to a positive learning environment. It is hoped that situations may be mediated by a counselor, division chair or other appropriate college staff. Mediation can often resolve behavioral problems before disciplinary action is warranted.  However, when mediation is inappropriate, or does not work, the student should be referred to the Office of the Dean of Student Life in S1-10, Ext. 8161. The Code of Conduct and other appropriate College policies and procedures including Student Rights and Responsibilities are outlined in the Student Handbook. Faculty should use the Behavioral Reporting Form to indicate when student incidents involve behavior mentioned in the Student Code of Conduct.