Confidentiality
Client confidentiality is respected at all times. The Counselor will not discuss client issues or make written reports available to any other person. All interactions with the Counseling Staff, including scheduling or attendance of appointments, content of counseling sessions, progress in counseling, and counseling records are confidential. There are specific conditions that limit confidentiality. Further information is available from a Counselor.
Counseling & Student Records
Counseling records are not part of student academic, educational, or job placement records. University faculty and staff outside of Counseling Services do not have access to counseling records.
Counseling records consist of forms completed by clients providing demographic data, counseling history, and information about the present problem. Your Counselor will keep progress notes about each counseling session in order to ensure the effectiveness of your counseling experience. These notes are confidential and secured.
Referral Services
Counselors will assist students with referrals to off-campus agencies and healthcare professionals as needed. The referral process requires sharing of information and completion of paperwork. Services provided by agencies and professionals outside of Mercer will most likely involve fees. In many cases, health insurance will cover some of the cost.
There are times when Counseling Staff are unavailable, such as during breaks and official holidays. There are also some mental health-related services that Counseling Staff are unable to provide. These include, but may not be limited to, the following:
- Medication management
- Learning disability diagnosis and treatment
- Long-term psychotherapy
- Psychological testing
- Substance abuse/addictions treatment
- Psychological evaluation for legal proceedings
Contact your health insurance office for information regarding approved providers and fees. If needed, the Counseling Staff can provide you with a list of low-cost mental health providers.
