When student counseling services is closed, whether it is 7 pm or 3 am, holidays or weekends, there is always someone to talk to. To access, call the YSU Student Counseling Services at 330-941-3737 and after the brief message, press “1” to be connected to a mental health professional.
On occasion, there may be exceptions to the eligibility policy. These instances may include:
The YSU Student Counseling Services Center provides free, short-term counseling for currently enrolled YSU students. We work on an appointment basis and will meet with an eligible student to evaluate, assess, provide treatment, and/or refer to other services as warranted based on the student’s clinical needs.
The scope of care is intended to outline the appropriateness and limits of the Center’s services to students seeking counseling.
As a client of YSU Student Counseling Services, you have several rights, benefits, and privileges. Specifically, you have the right to:
You have the responsibility to:
Attendance Expectation:
The effectiveness of treatment is directly related to your commitment to the counseling process. Therefore, it is expected that you attend scheduled appointments. If you are later than 15 minutes, based on the counselor’s schedule, the appointment may be rescheduled. If you cannot make your appointment, we ask you to change or cancel your appointment at least 24 hours ahead of the scheduled time by calling 330-941-3737 or emailing your counselor. This allows us the opportunity to offer the appointment time to another client in need. If you “no show” twice in a row, or you cancel/ reschedule more than 3 times in a row, you are not guaranteed immediate rescheduling or prime counseling times.
Termination Agreement:
Clients who have not had a session in over 30 days will be considered inactive. It is always preferable to have a final session before ending therapy to review and evaluate the sessions and overall progress. After 30 days, anyone wishing to return to active therapy can do so by contacting YSU Student Counseling Services to resume the therapeutic relationship. Clients have the right to refuse or end counseling services at any time.
Student Counseling Service begins with a 60 minute intake appointment with a staff clinician. The clinician will assess the nature and urgency of the student’s concern so that we can help to make the most appropriate next step to assist the student.
When a student contacts our office they will be scheduled for a 60 minute face to face intake appointment. This is a specific time reserved for the student. It is important that the student complete our initial forms before their scheduled appointment time. The student should arrive on time for their appointment to maximize their time with the clinician. The student must be finished with their paperwork before their appointment. If they are not, their face to face time with the clinician will be reduced. During their appointment the student will be asked a number of questions and have the opportunity to discuss their personal situation and ask any questions.
At the end of the session, appropriate options will be reviewed with the student. These could include an appointment for an individual therapy session or a referral to other resources on campus or the community that can address the student’s concerns.
Crisis and urgent appointments are available when needed. SCC is a short term counseling center. If students need or are interested in a longer term therapy relationship, we can advise them of other resources/services in the community.
State licensed professionals in the YSU Student Counseling Services department offer a variety of free and confidential services to enrolled students. These services include consultations, diagnostic intake assessment, individual counseling, group services, workshops, and referrals.
A counseling session is normally 45 to 60 minutes in length; and is scheduled based on the client’s need and progress. Every attempt will be made to conduct a session for client’s who arrive up to 15 minutes late to their appointment. Although, their session will be shorter in length. In some cases, if not enough time is available, the session may be rescheduled.
The effectiveness of treatment is directly related to your commitment to the counseling process. Therefore, it is expected that you attend scheduled appointments. If you are later than 15 minutes, based on the counselor’s schedule, the appointment may be rescheduled. If you cannot make your appointment, we ask you to change or cancel your appointment at least 24 hours ahead of the scheduled time by calling 330-941-3737 or emailing your counselor. This allows us the opportunity to offer the appointment time to another client in need. If you “no show” twice in a row, or you cancel/ reschedule more than 3 times in a row, you are not guaranteed immediate rescheduling or prime counseling times.
Clients who have not had a session in over 30 days will be considered inactive. It is always preferable to have a final session before ending therapy to review and evaluate the sessions and overall progress. After 30 days, anyone wishing to return to active therapy can do so by contacting YSU Student Counseling Services to resume the therapeutic relationship. Clients have the right to refuse or end counseling services at any time.
To determine how to best help a student, the first step in the counseling process, after the initial contact, is to set a Diagnostic Intake Assessment (DIA) appointment. During the DIA appointment, information is gathered, problems are identified, a diagnosis is given, and counseling goals are formed.
Note: Consultation and Supervision
At times there is a need for therapists to consult with other professionals or receive supervision as needed to evaluate their efficacy as a counselor and/or social worker. University counselors and/or counseling/social work interns may discuss individual cases to ensure ethical practice and protect client welfare. At times, the entire clinical staff may be included in confidential group consultation on a client’s case. Details of cases will be discussed with supervisors in a confidential manner and all information discussed will remain confidential.
Clients should be aware that confidentiality of electronic mail (e-mail) transmission or text messaging reminders cannot be guaranteed. For this reason, Student Counseling Services discourages the sharing of compromising personal or clinical information through this medium. In addition, clients should be aware that Student Counseling Services staff may not always have immediate access to, nor monitor, their email communication daily or outside of normal business hours (8am to 5pm, M-F).
Electronic service delivery (Tele-Health) is defined by ORC 4757-3-01 (GG) as psychotherapy in any form offered or rendered primarily by electronic or technology-assisted approaches, except telephonic, when the therapist and the client are not located in the same place during delivery of services.
Electronic Service Delivery (Tele-Health) will be conducted in accordance with ORC 4757-5-13 standards of practice and professional conduct.
Counselors shall not provide services without a client/student’s signed informed consent.
Links for licensure verification for all YSU therapists practicing in the counseling department can be found on the YSU Counseling Services website to facilitate consumer protection. https://elicense.ohio.gov/oh_verifylicense
YSU Student Counseling Services Website contains contact information for identifying appropriately trained professionals who can provide local assistance, including crisis intervention, if needed.
Confidentiality in electronic service delivery shall be maintained by the licensee: (1) Licensees shall use an encryption method for electronic service delivery, except for treatment reminders, scheduling contacts or other information provided outside of a therapeutic context, and (2) shall inform electronic service delivery clients details of data record storage in the electronic record keeping system. Only YSU emails will be used for electronic mail communication.
Students are informed of the limitations and risks associated with such services in the consent and release forms.
The YSU Student Counseling Services Department may participate in data collection or research designed to improve our services and expand the knowledge about college student mental health. Participation will only involve contributing anonymous, numeric data provided by those who use our services. Data will be stripped of all personally identifying information and then combined with anonymous, numeric data for statistical analysis. Because data cannot be linked to specific individuals, there is virtually no risk to the client by contributing data. With your permission, we
would like to contribute anonymous, numeric data from the questionnaires and demographic information you provide. Your decision is voluntary and will not affect the services you receive. If you do not want your non identifiable information shared, or if you have questions or concerns, you may contact the Director of YSU Student Counseling Services at (330) 941-2727.
Youngstown State University is committed to the safety and well-being of all campus community members. To maintain your safety, and the safety of others, YSU has formed a Campus Assessment, Response, and Evaluation Team (CARE). This collaborative team coordinates and develops support planning to promote student health, well-being, and a successful academic experience.
If you are involved in a safety concern that requires a referral to, or intervention by the CARE Team, please note that a representative from Student Counseling Services sits on the CARE Team. As a result, this representative will be part of forming an intervention or safety plan that will help to keep you or someone else safe.
Counseling records and individual documents are maintained in an electronic record keeping system called Titanium©. This system is password protected, and only accessible by YSU counseling staff. In accordance with state licensing guidelines, client records will be kept for seven (7) years after the date of the client’s last contact with our office. Requests for any information from client records must be made in writing by the client. Clients must allow ten (10) business days for fulfillment of the request. Records are faxed to the indicated provider. Note that records subject to release include diagnostic assessment, treatment plan, summary of services, and termination/referral documentation. Testing information will only be released to another clinical individual such as a doctor or licensed mental health professional.
YSU Student Counseling Services manages social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, YSU App, and Instagram. Designated staff members serve as administrators for these accounts and post relevant content. YSU Student Counseling Services will not use social media to gather information about any enrolled student. YSU Student Counseling Services will not accept requests for services through social media. Please contact us to set an appointment by calling 330-941-3737 or email Studentcounseling@ysu.edu
Staff members with personal social media accounts will utilize the highest security level to prevent clients from accessing personal information or sending messages. It is our policy that staff members do not interact with, accept friend, or contact requests from, or follow current or former clients on any social networking sites or blogs. This policy exists to maintain clear boundaries in the therapeutic relationship and to protect everyone’s right to privacy. Additionally, these platforms do not provide a secure environment, and public interactions could compromise your confidentiality. Friend requests from former student clients will not be accepted and will be managed carefully to avoid any potential perception of exploitation or conflicting relationships.
The Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, Marriage & Family Therapist Board, and the American Psychological Association (APA) caution that public social networks are not private. Even if access is restricted to invited or approved members, privacy cannot be expected. Participation in such forums implies that anything posted may be seen, read, and commented on by others. Therefore, individuals will be held responsible for posts, comments, links, uploads, and other activities on YSU Student Counseling Services social media platforms.
In line with the Ohio CSWMFT Board, and national APA guidelines, YSU Student Counseling Services staff who use social media and other electronic communication are mindful of how their communication might be perceived by clients, colleagues, university staff and faculty, and the broader professional community. To minimize any potential issues, staff will carefully consider all security settings, typically setting them to "private." Staff will not communicate with current or past students on social media.
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