Counseling Center

We offer a variety of services. Most students are seen in individual psychotherapy/counseling, although couple and group therapy sessions are available when appropriate. We offer consultation to those who have concerns about a friend of family member.

There is no charge to Baker students who use the Counseling Services. The student fees you pay cover the cost.

Counseling is a confidential experience between you and your counselor. This means that what is said in your sessions will remain private. Kansas state law mandates us to keep your communications private except in certain situations. If we hear about a child, an elderly person, or a dependent adult being hurt or abused, we must make a report to the state. Another time we breach confidentiality is when we are mandated to release records as a function of a court order. And finally, we may breach confidentiality if we have concerns about a client hurting her/himself or someone else. Your therapist will review these special exceptions to confidentiality with you during your first session.

Everyone’s concerns are unique. Sometimes there are quick solutions, at other times the process can be slower due to the complexity of the factors that have influenced the problem. In general, we operate on a brief psychotherapy model. If you want to continue with long term counseling we will work with you to make a referral to a counselor in the Lawrence/Kansas City community or your home community, whichever is most appropriate.

Anyone who is currently enrolled as an undergraduate student on the Baldwin City campus is eligible for services here.

If you are new to Counseling Services or have not seen a therapist in over a year, you will be asked to fill out some paperwork before your first session. After the paperwork is done, your therapist will ask for more information about what brings you to counseling at this time. You are free to speak as openly as you wish about your concerns.

No, we will not share information with your parents or even acknowledge that you have been here unless you give us written permission to do so. The exception to this is if you are under 18, in which case your parents must provide consent for your treatment here.

You can schedule a time to meet with a counselor by calling 785.594.8409 or by stopping by the Center in person.

Students present to counseling with a variety of concerns, including but not limited to, homesickness, roommate issues, dating problems, stress management, depression, anxiety, substance use concerns, eating disorders, and suicidal feelings. No problem is too big or too small to bring to counseling.

No, only a psychiatrist or physician can prescribe medications. However, our staff can help evaluate your need for a medication consultation and make a referral to our Health Center or a community Health Services provider when appropriate.

Mental health problems among college students are on the rise. As a faculty or staff member, you are in a unique position to notice.

At one time or another, everyone feels depressed or upset. However, some warning signs, when present over a period of time, suggest that the problems are more than the “normal” ones.

Signs of Distress

• Serious grade problems
• Unaccountable change from good to poor performance
• Change from frequent attendance to excessive absences
• Change in pattern of interaction
• Marked change in mood
• Marked change in physical appearance
• Repeated request for special consideration
• New or regularly occurring behavior that pushes the limits and may interfere with class management
• Unusual or exaggerated emotional response
• Highly disruptive behavior, e.g., hostility, aggression
• Inability to communicate clearly, e.g., garbled, slurred speech, disjointed thoughts
• Loss of contact with reality, e.g. seeing or hearing things that are not there, belief or actions at odds with reality
• Overt suicidal or homicidal thoughts

When to Refer

• When student problems are outside of your competence area
• When student is using you as a resource beyond what is “normal” for you
• When you feel uncomfortable
• When you need to protect yourself

Tips for Making a Referral

• Talk to the student in private, expressing concern in non-judgmental terms.
• Let the student know about the resources available to him or her.
• Provide information to the student about the Baker Counseling Center.
• If need be, call the Counseling Center with the student.
• Continue to be supportive of the student, but not be a therapist to the student.

Education & Outreach for Faculty & Staff

Please call Counseling Services if you’d like us to present a topic of special interest to your residence hall, class, or campus organization. As an educational institution, we see the value of prevention and outreach activities. Such activities have included educational and training programs, workshops with a variety of offices on campus, organizational development, and consultation.

Educational presentations may address such topics as lifestyle wellness, stress management, depression, suicidality, acquaintance rape, gay and lesbian issues, leadership training and eating disorders. Unique presentation can be created depending on the desired topic.

785.594.8409 or 785.594.8365

Baker University Counseling Center provides psychological evaluation and limited treatment of some emotional problems. Because of the limitation of staff and appropriate facilities, the Counseling Center cannot offer comprehensive mental health services. If our counseling services are not the most appropriate for meeting a student’s needs, referrals to other resources within the local community will be made.

Guidelines for Determining When to Make a Referral

These guidelines can be used to determine which students have needs best met by services other than those of the Baker University Counseling Center.

• Students with long histories of psychiatric difficulty of more than moderate severity or a history of multiple psychiatric hospitalizations
• Students with a history of suicide attempt(s) with intended serious self-harm
• Students with chronic and/or present self-destructive behaviors that are life-threatening
• Students manifesting psychosis
• Students with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective or schizophreniform disorder
• Students with newly diagnosed bipolar affective illness, unstable bipolar illness or a history of treatment noncompliance
• Students in need of or likely to have a need for care that cannot be provided in an outpatient setting (e.g., hospitalization) or will not be maintaining self in school (i.e., therapy will need to be of such duration that it is not feasible within the confines of Baker University Counseling Center)
• History of impulsive, serious risk-taking, or dangerous behavior
• Severe alcoholism and/or drug abuse for which a student refuses appropriate treatment

Perhaps your son or daughter has recently started counseling at our Center or you believe they would benefit from seeking counseling. Below is information about Counseling Services we hope will be helpful.

What does Counseling Services provide?

Everyone’s concerns are unique. Sometimes there are quick solutions, at other times the process can be slower due to the complexity of the factors that have influenced the problem. In general, we operate on a brief psychotherapy model. If you want to continue with long term counseling we will work with you to make a referral to a counselor in the Lawrence/Kansas City community or your home community, whichever is most appropriate.

My child is under 18 years of age. Does that make a difference?

If your child is under 18 years of age and seeks counseling in Counseling Services, you will be asked to sign the consent for treatment form. Students who are minors may be seen one time before having the consent form signed.

I’m worried my child might have an eating disorder. What should I do?

We will be happy to meet with your son or daughter to assess their concern and make treatment recommendations. You should be aware that in most cases, given the severity of many eating disorders and the need for longer-term treatment, we will most likely make a referral for counseling to the community. Eating disorders are generally best treated with a comprehensive team approach that at a minimum includes a therapist, nutritionist, and physician or other health-care providers.

Can the counselor talk to me about my son or daughter?

Our services are confidential, as governed by the laws of the State of Kansas. If your child is 18 years of age or older, he or she “holds the privilege.” This means we require a signed Release of Information before responding to a request for information about your son or daughter—whether or not they have been seen at the Baker Counseling Center.

How can my child make an appointment?

Students may make an appointment by calling 785.594.8409 or stopping by our office. We are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and located in the Health Center at 519 Grove Street. Please be aware we require that students schedule their own appointments.

Online

Transition to College: Separation and Change for Parents and Students
College Parents of America

narcotics.com: Resources near Baldwin City for recovery from opioid addiction
rehab.com: Evidence-based information about addiction and treatment centers
sober.com: AA meetings near Baldwin City
drugstrategies.org: Experts in substance misuse treatment from leading nonprofit, academic, and government institutions
methadonecenters.com: Treatment centers that provide methadone maintenance therapy

Transition

Empty Nest. . .Full Heart: The Journey from Home to College, Andrea Van Steenhouse (2002).

Letting Go: A Parents’ Guide to Understanding the College Years, Karen Levin Coburn, Madge Lawrence Treeger (2003).

Helping Your Student

A Parent’s Guide to Sex, Drugs, and Flunking Out: Answers to the Questions Your College Student Doesn’t Want You to Ask, Joel Epstein (2001).

You’re On Your Own (But I’m Here if You Need Me): Mentoring Your Child During the College Years, Marjorie Savage (2003).

For Students & Parents

College Rules! How to Study, Survive and Succeed in College, Sherrie L. Nist, Jodi Patrick Holschuh, Sherrie Nist (2002).

The Ultimate College Survival Guide, Janet Farrar Worthington, Ronald Farrar (1995).

Chicken Soup for the College Soul: Inspiring and Humorous Stories About College, Mark Victor Hansen, Kimberly Kirberger, Dan Clark, Jack Canfield (1999).

Bibliography Notes on Transition

College Of The Overwhelmed: The Campus Mental Health Crisis And What To Do About It by Richard Kadison, M.D. & Theresa Foy DiGeronimo, 2004.

Don’t Tell Me What To Do, Just Send Money by E. Johnson & Christine Schelhas-Miller, 2000.

How To Survive And Thrive In An Empty Nest: Reclaiming Your Life When Your Children Have Grown by Robert H. Lauer, 1999.

When Your Kid Goes To College: A Parent’s Survival Guide by Carol Barkin, 1999.

Almost Grown: Launching Your Child From High School To College by Patrick Pasick, 1998.

Empty Nest, Full Heart: The Journey From Home To College by Andrea Van Steenhouse & Johanna Parker, 1998.

Letting Go: A Parent’s Guide To Understanding The College Years by Karen Levin Coburn, 1997.