1. What services are offered by Center for Counseling and Student Development (CCSD)?
The following list summarizes the many services offered by the CCSD.
2. Who is eligible for services?
All currently registered students, part-time and full-time, are eligible for CCSD services.
3. Is there a fee for services?
No. The Center for Counseling and Student Development (CCSD) is partially funded by the health services fee, included in your tuition. There is no additional fee for CCSD services.
4. What is Counseling?
The decision to begin counseling is an important one. Clients have reported both a greater level of comfort and more favorable results when they understand what to expect from the counseling process. Counseling may help you with a variety of concerns including personal issues (e.g., anxiety, depression, or relationship problems), career exploration and planning (e.g., clarification of your career interests and employment options), and academic problems (e.g., test-taking, study skills, and time management). After discussing the concerns that led you to counseling, you and your counselor will decide which services are appropriate. Referrals to workshops, group counseling, or psychiatric consultation may also be made, as appropriate.
In order to benefit fully from counseling, the following recommendations are offered:
Counseling provides a safe, non-judgmental and comfortable atmosphere to discuss any issue of concern. Some reasons people attend counseling are to get some things off their chest, to seek help in making a big decision, to solve a problem or to simply have someone listen. Successful counseling is a joint process requiring your motivation and active involvement. The more actively involved you are the more effective counseling will be for you.
5. How do I know if counseling can help?
The following is a list of problems commonly reported by college students. While some students may resolve these issues, counseling may be helpful if you have ongoing concerns about any of the following. Please consider those that apply to you:
If you feel that any of theses is of significant concern to you, you may find it helpful to speak with a counselor.
6. Why can’t I just talk to my friends?
Friends are not neutral. Speaking to a counselor will not change their opinion of you. Friendships are reciprocal. The counselor does not expect anything in return. Your time is totally focused on you. Friends don’t have the professional training, education and experience to best help you.
7. What if a counselor brings up painful issues from my childhood I don’t feel like discussing?
During counseling sessions, you are in charge. The counselor will follow your lead. No one can make you talk about anything you don’t want to discuss. You make your own choices.
8. How do I make an appointment for counseling?
Students may initiate services by visiting the Center for Counseling and Student Development located on the 1st floor of the Miles Connor Administration Building. An appointment for services may be made upon completion of the appropriate paperwork.
9. Can I make an appointment via e-mail?
We welcome your interest and contact. We also value your privacy.
Please consider the following information prior to sending us e-mail:
E-mail is not an appropriate medium for individual questions regarding personal or career counseling. It is most appropriate requesting general information regarding services, resources, or other campus information. Our staff does not respond to inquires from our clients regarding specific counseling issues. Confidentiality is essential to the counseling process and cannot be assured with e-mail. We cannot guarantee that the contents of an e-mail message will remain confidential. While we will do our best to keep your communication private, e-mail usage can be monitored and the content of your personal messages may be read by others. Staff access to e-mail is also limited to CCSD work hours. Staff does not have access to e-mail after hours or on weekends. Also, you have no way of knowing if a specific staff member is unavailable due to illness, vacation or other reasons. This means that your message may not be read immediately. If time is of particular concern for you, please consider calling our office when requesting information.
If you are a CSU student seeking counseling, please visit our office in the Center for Counseling and Student Development, in the Miles Connor Administration Building, 1st floor, to obtain more information.
10. What are the signs suggesting the need for a referral?
11. How do I make a Referral?
Client confidentiality prohibits us from providing you with information about a student whom you have referred to us, but it is almost always appropriate for you to check back with the student, to ascertain whether he or she has followed through on your recommendation. This communicates your continued interest and concern. If you are concerned about a student or situation, but are not sure how to proceed, call Center for Counseling and Student Development (CCSD) 410-951-3939.
12. Are services confidential?
Student records maintained within the CCSD are deemed to be confidential and are not considered to be public information. This is clearly stipulated in the CCSD's Policy and Procedures Handbook and in the Authorization Forms that students read and sign prior to receiving psychological services. Issues of confidentiality, privacy and security regarding psychological records are enforced by state and national rules, laws and standards that regulate psychology as a discipline relevant accreditation boards (the International Association of Counseling Services; the American Psychological Association and CSU policies. More specifically, the Center for Counseling and Student Development adheres to the CSU Information Disclosure and Confidentiality Policy, the Health Information Portability and Privacy Act (HIPAA), Privacy Rule (45 C.F.R.., parts 160 and 164) the Ethical Principles of Psychologists (Principle 5. Privacy and Confidentiality), the Standards for Providers of Psychological Services and the Maryland Statutes 18-201, 18-202, and 18-205 Psychological Services.
Students initiating services at the CCSD are required to review HIPAA and the Privacy Notice prior to receiving services.
Supporting Documentation - Legal and Ethical Documents:
13. Can my parents, teachers, administrators, and friends get information about whether I'm in counseling, and what's happening in my sessions?
Not unless you give your counselor written permission for such disclosure, or your counselor believes you are at significant risk to hurt yourself or another person.
14. Where is the Center for Counseling and Student Development (CCSD) located and what are the hours I can be seen?
The CCSD services are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. Evening hours are scheduled by appointment only. The CCSD is open year round, except for university holidays.
15. I have a friend who I think would benefit from counseling. How do I suggest this tactfully?
Suggesting that a friend seek counseling can be a demonstration of caring and concern, not of judgment and condemnation. Tell your friend that you are concerned for his/her well-being, and would like to see him/her feeling more happy and content than is currently the case. Explain to your friend that although you are available to lend support, you are not a professional, and you believe that the assistance you can offer is limited. You can also offer to be with your friend while he/she makes a counseling appointment by phone or in person, and to walk him/her to Coppin State University Center for Counseling and Student Development when it is time for the appointment.
16. Can the staff members at the counseling services prescribe medications for me (for depression, anxiety, etc.)?
No. They can refer you to psychiatrists in the community who could prescribe medication if it is appropriate.
17. How long do I have to wait to get an appointment?
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, the first available counselor will see you. Otherwise, please make an appointment, and you will most likely be seen within a few days.
18. Do I have a choice of which counselor I meet with?
If you have a preference for a particular counselor we will attempt to meet your request, whenever possible. If you would to switch counselors after you have already begun counseling, let the secretary know that you would like to switch, and this can be accommodated. If you feel able to do so, it is also best if you also discuss this with the counselor you began working with.
Call CCSD at (410) 951-3939 for more details.