Counseling Center: Services

Scope of Practice

Services Provided

The RMU Counseling Center provides, on a case-by-case basis, initial consultation sessions, short-term individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, drug and alcohol education, referrals to local mental health professionals, referrals for substance abuse screening/treatment, self-help information, and mental health outreach and educational programming.  We are also available for consultation in the event that a member of the university community has a concern about the well-being of a student.  

The Counseling Center works with a short-term counseling model which is focused on helping students to meet a desired goal. We provide counseling services and make decisions related to ongoing treatment based on clinical demands and resources, as well as the students’ needs. We offer a combination of individual and group counseling, as appropriate, and make recommendations for care on a case-by-case basis.

Caseloads and treatment planning will be reviewed in weekly supervision meetings. Students with clinical concerns determined to be outside of our scope of practice will be provided with community referrals to off-campus mental health providers.

Common presenting concerns within our scope of practice include:
Anxiety, academic performance, depression, difficulty concentrating, mood problems, suicidal thoughts, eating concerns, problems with family and friends, sexual assault, test anxiety, loneliness, gender and/or sexual orientation, stress management, grief and loss, homesickness, and college-related transition issues.

Eligibility for Counseling Services

Currently enrolled Robert Morris University students are eligible to access free and confidential counseling services and referrals.  Non-student members of the Robert Morris community (faculty, staff, and other individuals currently employed by Robert Morris University) are not eligible for counseling services. There are two exceptions: 1) Non-students can meet for a consultation on mental health matters. The Counseling Center will suggest off-campus referrals when services are needed. 2) When an emergency arises with non-students, the Counseling Center will work closely with the University Police to assist the person in crisis.
 
A student is not eligible for counseling services if:

• the student is currently being treated by a therapist in the community and is able to continue treatment with that provider. The student will be encouraged to remain with the community therapist rather than transfer services to the Counseling Center if it is determined to be in the best interest of the student. Note that currently enrolled students are always eligible for crisis services.
• the student has a dual relationship with one or more members of the RMU Counseling Center staff, such as an instructor-student or other conflicting relationship.
• the student has violated the Counseling Center’s attendance policy (such cases are reviewed to determine whether continued care or a referral is more feasible).
• the student is graduating, in which case they are encouraged to work with their counselor to arrange for transfer to off-campus counseling services as part of their termination process.
• the student’s clinical needs are outside of our scope of practice and would be best served with a referral.
• the student is enrolled in a high school to college program.
• the student has withdrawn from the university.
• the student is on disciplinary suspension from the university.
• the student has been academically dismissed and/or involuntarily withdrawn from the university for academic reasons.
• the student has completed a medical withdrawal and will not be eligible for services until their return to classes.

Reasons for Referral

The Robert Morris University Counseling Center is not a comprehensive treatment center, therefore, we reserve the right to refer a student to other mental health providers or treatment centers.

Based on our scope of practice, we may refer a student if:

• the student wishes to attend longer-term individual therapy, beyond the allotted 8-session limit.
• the recommended treatment falls beyond our scope of practice and/or areas of expertise and the student can be better treated elsewhere.
• ongoing intensive treatment is required (e.g. for a student who continually presents as an imminent danger to self or others, or for a student who needs multiple sessions per week).
• the student has a disorder of such severity that we cannot provide adequate care (e.g. severe eating disorder, severe psychosis).
• the student needs testing for ADHD or learning disorders, as the Counseling Center does not provide testing of any type.
• the student is requesting documentation for an emotional support animal, as the Counseling Center does not provide such documentation.
• the student is in need of intensive substance abuse treatment.
• the student repeatedly attends sessions under the influence of substances.
• the student’s treatment is court ordered (other than drug or alcohol education groups) or is forensically oriented (e.g. domestic abuse, treatment for criminal behavior, alcohol and drug treatment).
• the student behaves in a way that is inappropriate, disruptive, or threatening.
• the Counseling Center is operating on a wait list and the student is in need of more urgent treatment.
• the student is unavailable during our business hours.
• the student has violated the attendance policy.
• the student is not eligible for our services (see Eligibility for Services above).

 
When students are referred, we explain our reasoning for this action and guide them to community health providers and/or to their health insurer’s network.