UWO Counseling Center Informed Consent

Scope of Services

The UW-Oshkosh Counseling Center is committed to providing effective programs and services using a brief treatment model. This model makes efficient use of our resources and is adequate for many student concerns. Students whose service needs exceed our scope of care will be invited to work closely with a counselor to identify appropriate resources in the community and to provide supportive follow up assistance. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to follow through on referrals that are provided.

The Counseling Center may refer to another health care provider for consultation, evaluation, and/or treatment. For certain tele-mental health (TMH) services, the Counseling Center may refer students to Mantra Health, a digital mental health vendor, and Wellround Provider Group, P.A., Mantra Health’s affiliated provider group. When we make a referral with your consent, we will share your information with them to the extent necessary for the provider to offer consultation, evaluation and/or treatment.

If accepted for care directly through the Counseling Center, enrolled students may receive a maximum of 12 individual counseling sessions per 12-month academic year. Individual/couples sessions are 45 minutes in length. Couples counseling is provided if both parties are currently enrolled students. It is often recommended for both students to also be participating in individual counseling. Adjunctive services do not have specific session limits and duration is determined on an individual basis.

It is important to be on time. If you need to cancel or change your appointment, please notify the Counseling Center in advance by phone or secure message. If you are more than 15 minutes late for an appointment, you may not be seen and are considered a ‘no show’. If you no show or cancel more than two times each (within the same academic year), you may become ineligible for ongoing services. You may then be asked to meet with the Director of the Counseling Center, Leah Folks, LMFT, to discuss compliance concerns related to the attendance policy. If you are no longer eligible for continued services, case management support is available.

If you think that your counselor is not a good match for you, we encourage you to discuss your concern directly with your counselor. Our counselors understand that not all client/counselor assignments are a good fit and will help you facilitate a referral to another counselor. You may also request a change in counselor with the front desk. If you have further concerns, you are welcome to contact the Director.

We support all students in connecting with mental health services and work to do so in a way that avoids dual relationships. Students who may seek future training or employment at the Counseling Center may wish to consider an alternate site for treatment or training. Assistance for establishing care in the community is available. The Counseling Center reserves the right to determine if there are any ethical issues created by any current or prior client/counselor relationships.

Counseling is not easily described in general statements. It varies depending on the personality/style of the counselor, client, and the presenting concerns. There are a number of different approaches which may be utilized in counseling. Clinical assessments may also be used. The Counseling Center does not provide evaluations or documentation required by a third party. This includes, but is not limited to, legal proceedings, employers, DUI/OWI assessments or treatment, the military or other governmental agencies, emotional support animals, and vocational rehabilitation.

If you are under the age of 18, by law, the permission from your parent or legal guardian is required for ongoing counseling services.

Alternatives to Counseling

Alternatives to counseling may include self-help resources (i.e., books, handouts, and mental health websites), various campus organizations, or other community organizations, programs, or support groups. You may ask a counselor about any of these resources during your appointment(s).

Risks and Benefits of Counseling

Counseling has both risks and benefits. Risks may include experiencing a variety of emotions such as anxiety, frustration, grief, etc. that may feel intense or uncomfortable. Treatment may require recalling unpleasant aspects of your personal history. Counseling has been shown to have benefits for many who undertake it. It often leads to significant reduction of emotional distress, better relationships, and resolution of specific problems. There is, however, no guarantee of its results.

Client Rights

If you are not satisfied with your treatment or feel that your rights have been violated, we encourage you to first discuss this directly with your counselor. If your concerns are not resolved or if you prefer to meet individually with the Director, please schedule an appointment.

As a client of the Counseling Center, you have the right to ask questions about your treatment, your treatment provider, and to file a complaint. To obtain more information about the grievance procedures, you can ask your counselor or contact the Director.

Confidentiality

The Counseling Center is required by state law and ethical standards to maintain confidentiality. This means that information shared by you during counseling will be kept within the Counseling Center and will not be shared with others (including parents, other family members, instructors, or other university officials) unless you give written authorization to release the information.

Exceptions to confidentiality are as follows:

• The clinical team routinely consults with one another to provide the most effective services.
• If there is a concern for your safety or the safety of someone else, we may be obligated to take appropriate action to protect life. This may include arranging voluntary or involuntary hospitalization, notifying law enforcement, university personnel, and/or the emergency contact you have designated.

• If we have reason to believe that you or someone you know is abusing or neglecting children or a vulnerable adult, we are required by law to report this to the appropriate state agency.

• If we receive a court order requesting records, we are required by law to comply.

Treatment Plan

A treatment plan will be created in collaboration with your counselor. It is important to follow through with all treatment recommendations. If there are concerns with treatment compliance, you may become ineligible for ongoing services. 

Informed Consent for Tele-Mental Health (TMH)

Counseling services are available through tele-mental health (TMH) if you are located in the state of Wisconsin during the time of the appointment.

TMH services are conducted and documented in a confidential manner according to applicable laws. Steps are taken to utilize TMH platforms that have appropriate privacy and security measures. There are, however, additional risks related to receiving TMH services including:

• All sessions or other communications by your counselor regarding your treatment could be disrupted or distorted by technical failures, could be interrupted, and/or could be accessed by unauthorized persons. If technical difficulties occur during a session resulting in service interruptions, a pre-determined back-up plan will be put into place.
• TMH involves alternative forms of communication that may reduce visual and auditory cues and increase the likelihood of misunderstanding one another.
• Your counselor may determine TMH does not meet your needs, is not an appropriate treatment option, or stop TMH treatment at any time if your needs change.

The video-conferencing platform (Zoom) is the preferred medium selected for TMH. The use of a webcam or smartphone is required. To best ensure confidentiality and a smooth delivery of services, there is a need for adherence to the following requirements and procedures:

• You and your counselor will secure a quiet, private space that is free of distractions including other electronic devices during the session.
• When possible, please use your own computer or device rather than one that is publicly accessible.
• It is recommended to utilize a secure internet connection rather than public/free Wi-Fi.
• Ensure your device has the most updated operating system and anti-virus software and consider utilizing a VPN to increase security.
• Recording TMH sessions is not permissible.
• At the beginning of TMH sessions, your counselor will verify your current location.

There may be circumstances in which we need to send confidential documents via secure messaging with your permission.

Records

Counseling records are not part of your academic record. Electronic records are encrypted and stored on a secure server. Records are maintained for 10 years after the most recent clinical contact, after which they are deleted/destroyed. In accordance with state law, you may request to review your file, receive a copy, and/or release records to a third party. Requests must be made in writing along with completion of appropriate release(s) of information.

Counselors-in-Training

We are a training site for graduate students in counseling related fields. You will be informed of their trainee status and the name of their supervisor. All trainees receive regular supervision of their work and are required to record their sessions for use in supervision. Recordings are deleted at the end of the academic year and are not part of your counseling records.

Contacting Your Counselor

Counseling Center hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. When classes are not in session, hours may be adjusted to Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. 

Counselors are often not immediately available by phone, email, or secure message.

On-Call Counselors are available during operating hours if you experience any of the following:

• Thoughts of suicide
• Thoughts of harm to self
• Thoughts of harm to others
• Recent loss or trauma

If an emergency arises after hours, please utilize any of the following crisis resources:

• Call 911: Immediate response for mental health crisis or medical emergency
• UWO Counseling Center: (920) 424-2061, option 2 for 24/7 crisis support by phone
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call, Text, or Chat
• ConnectNow: Text or video support through Mantra Care Hub 7:00 am – 11:00 pm
• Trevor Lifeline for LGBTQ+: (866) 488-7366
• Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988, press 1, Text 838255, or Chat
• Winnebago County Crisis Line: (920) 233-7707
• University Police Department: (920) 424-1212

To reach your counselor directly, please call the front desk or send a secure message through the portal. If you email your counselor, they may respond through a secure message in the portal.

Notification Terms & Conditions

The University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh Counseling Center sends clients email and text message notifications, including scheduled appointments, secure messages, or paperwork reminders. Message frequency will vary. Message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. All students are automatically opted-in to email and text notifications. To opt out, update preferences via the Edit My Profile tab in the Client Portal. For help or more information, contact the Counseling Center at (920) 424-2061 or counseling@uwosh.edu. Here’s a link to our Privacy Policy.

Social Media

The Counseling Center manages multiple social media accounts. You are invited to like or follow any of our social media. Please be aware that others may infer that you are receiving services at the Counseling Center. For reasons of professional ethics, it is our policy that staff members do not interact with, accept friend requests, or follow clients on any social media platforms.

Health and Wellness

If you believe that you have a contagious condition (e.g., flu, pink eye, strep throat, etc.), please consider either shifting your appointment to tele-mental health (TMH) or rescheduling until you are feeling well. This supports our staff in maintaining their personal health and wellness. 

ReCenter Program

The Counseling Center provides services to students in collaboration with the University’s AODA sanctioning program. Our ReCenter program consists of a minimum of three sessions. A release of information will be completed to allow for two-way communication with your sanctioning officer related to program participation and assessment recommendations. A ReCenter sanction fee of $100 will be charged to your student account. A no show fee of $25 will be charged for any missed ReCenter appointments. If there are concerns about attendance or engagement, you may be referred back to your sanctioning officer.

• I understand that a copy of the Informed Consent is available upon request.
• Persons under 18 years of age will need a parent/legal guardian to sign “Consent to Treat a Minor” form.
• I understand these policies and that I have a right to discuss them with my counselor.