While a student often feels much better after talking with an interested adult, you might sense that his or her problems are beyond the scope of your expertise. In such cases, it is helpful to encourage a student to seek assistance at Counseling Services. Reassuring the student that it is normal to have some problems during the college years, stating the fact that almost half of º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿ÊÒ students seek contact with Counseling Services during their time here, and stressing that Counseling Services staff enjoy working with students and have a great deal of compassion for the student's experience (whatever it may be) can also help a student to feel more relaxed about asking for help.
Scheduling an Appointment (207-725-3145)
If you feel there is no immediate emergency and that counseling might be helpful, providing a student with information about accessing our services can facilitate the process. To schedule an appointment, a student should call 207-725-3145. In most cases, students can be seen within a week of scheduling their appointment. We make every attempt to work around a student's academic schedule, although sometimes this is difficult and the student may need to have some flexibility in order to be seen in a timely fashion. Another approach is to encourage the student to call to make the appointment from your office, or for you to make the appointment for him/her (with the student's permission and presence in the room at the time of your phone call). If you wish to refer a student to a specific counselor, please call ahead to check on that counselor's availability. It is often helpful for a counselor to have information about a student's situation before the counselor sees the student. Students are usually willing, even relieved, for an initial conversation between the faculty or staff member and the counselor to take place. If you would like to speak with the counselor, ask the student's permission to do so when referring him or her.
Emergency Procedures
In case of emergency, where you feel uneasy about letting a student leave your office, you may call Counseling Services and let our administrative coordinator know that you are walking over with a student you would like to be seen immediately. Another option in urgent situations is for the student to be seen during our "emergency" hour. Each day we reserve an hour for students whose problems are of sufficient urgency that they should be seen that same day. Our "emergency" hour is from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm on weekdays. We appreciate your calling to let us know you would like a student to be seen during that time and that the student has agreed to this.
After Hours Coverage
If you are confronted with an emergency situation outside of regular office hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–5:00 pm) or on weekends, you can call º¬Ðß²ÝÑо¿ÊÒ Security, 207-725-3500, and ask to speak to the on-call counselor. Security will contact the counselor and he or she will call you back right away.
Getting Support and Professional Consultation
In addition to direct services to students, we offer consultation services to faculty and staff who have concerns about a student but feel uncertain about whether to act on their intuitions. You may arrange a consult, by calling our administrative secretary and telling her that you would like to talk with a counselor about a student. If you indicate that this is an emergency, a counselor will be available to talk with you immediately. If it is not an emergency, a counselor will return your call as soon as possible. Situations involving student psychological issues can be complex and confusing. When in doubt, call!