Parents and Families FAQs

Have a question we haven't answered below? Please contact us at 508-626-4640.

1. What is the best way to set up psychological counseling services for my student?
2. Do counselors call students to encourage them to make an appointment at the Counseling Center?
3. Can the counselor keep me updated on how treatment is going?
4. What if I want to share information about my student or inquire about how they are doing?
5. How can the Counseling Center help if my student is having serious academic problems?
6. What if a parent, another student, or a faculty or staff member is concerned about a student?
7. My student is already in therapy and taking a psychotropic medication. What should I do about the therapy and medication issue while he/she is attending FSU?
8. What if my student is having a psychological crisis?

1. What is the best way to set up psychological counseling services for my student?
The best way for your student to arrange to be seen at the Counseling Center is to have your student call or come into the Center to arrange an appointment. Your student will be seen in a timely manner, usually within 24 hours of making contact with us.

2. Do counselors call students to encourage them to make an appointment at the Counseling Center?
Counseling Center staff members do not contact students and ask them to come in or inquire about their mental health. It is our belief that counseling is most effective when it is voluntary, and students often perceive such calls as intrusive. If a situation exists in which the Center receives information that a student is in distress or imminent danger as a result of a psychological problem, a wellness check can be initiated.

3. Can the counselor keep me updated on how treatment is going?
Because of mental health laws and confidentiality restrictions, counselors cannot provide any treatment information about your student without a written release giving specific permission to do so. We encourage students to communicate directly with their parents about their treatment.

4. What if I want to share information about my student or inquire about how they are doing?
Although we cannot give out information to parents and family members unless the student has signed a release, we can listen to your concerns. 

5. How can the Counseling Center help if my student is having serious academic problems?
If a serious personal situation is affecting your student's academic functioning, the Center staff can serve as a resource for connecting your student with the appropriate staff or faculty that can be of assistance (such as the Dean's offices, Center for Academic Support, academic advisers).

6. What if a parent or family member, another student, or a faculty or staff member is concerned about a student?
Counselors are available Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (508-626-4640) to consult with you. Counselors can offer suggestions for helping the student, provide information about resources available on and off-campus, and offer suggestions about how to encourage the student to make an appointment to see a counselor.

7. My student is already in therapy and taking a psychotropic medication. What should I do about the therapy and medication issue?
Your student can maintain their established relationship with their medication prescriber to continue monitoring medication. Many students are able to maintain their periodic medication follow-up appointment with their hometown prescribers.

We suggest that students discuss with their prescriber and therapist treatment needs while they are away at school. If ongoing psychotherapy is desired, the Center can offer that, either in conjunction with existing providers, or, if appropriate, as the new provider of choice. A clinician from the Center can meet with your student to evaluate the needs and together make a determination about what treatment would be most beneficial for the student.

8. What if my student is having a psychological crisis?
If your student is experiencing a psychological crisis, they can contact the Counseling Center during business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday – Friday), and will be seen and evaluated. The staff at the Center encourage students to communicate with parents or family members if they are in crisis. If they are experiencing a psychological crisis after hours or on the weekends, they may contact the Advocates Psychiatric Emergency Services (508-872-3333) to be evaluated. Advocates will meet with your student to evaluate the current situation and make recommendations to ensure safety.

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