How to Make an Appointment

Getting started
There are two ways in which you may enter our services; you walk in or call to make an appointment for the initial meeting. Ifr you need help more urgently, you may be helped immediately after reaching CARE.  In both situations you will likely be asked to complete information and consent forms prior to speaking to a counselor.   The goal of the initial meeting is for the counselor to discuss your concerns and decide upon a course of action that would best meet your needs.  The outcome of this discussion is likely to be one or more of the following:

• You may resolve your concern satisfactorily during the intake and require no further action.
• You may be better assisted by another resource person on or off-campus.  Your counselor will help you to identify other resources and assist you by making a referral.  CARE reserves the right to refuse treatment to anyone if we determine that our services are inappropriate.
• You may benefit from, and be eligible for, further counseling here at CARE.

Counselor assignment. 
If you are offered and agree to counseling, your counselor will either make an appointment to see you again or will assist in the assignment of another counselor outside of CARE.  If you have strong preferences to see a counselor of a particular gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, we will try to accommodate your request. 

Feedback.  
We encourage you to ask questions about counseling methods and procedures, qualifications of your counselor, or services at CARE.  You should discuss any dissatisfaction regarding services with your counselor. 

Confidentiality. 
Counseling is confidential.  All information you share with us, whether it is information in our records about you or even the fact that you have come to see us, can not be shared with others outside CARE.  In some circumstances your counselor may consult with a supervisor in order to provide you with the best help available.  However, no one outside CARE may have access to counseling information without your prior written permission or as required by law.  The law in the State of California mandates that information may be appropriately shared if you are in imminent harm to yourself or to others, when there is an indication of child or elder abuse or if you are gravely disabled.  If you are referred for counseling as a condition of an agreement, for example with the Dean of Students or with your academic department, and want information communicated to them, you will have to sign a release form to have any information provided to the person who referred you.

Forms. 

When you arrange an appointmetnt with a counselor, you will be asked to complete a set of forms. If you prefer, you may print these out and complete them at home before coming in for your appointment.

1. The Informed Consent for Counseling Services should be read and discussed with your counselor if you have any questions before you sign it.  Your signature indicates that you understand the nature of the services offered, and the limits of confidentiality and the fact that you are voluntarily requesting counseling services.  You will never be taped without your knowledge and consent.
2. The Student Information Form provides us with your schedule and information to aid us if we need to reach you, as well as information regarding your status with Student Health and the reasons for which you are requesting to be seen.
3. The Information Sheet is collected for our statistics and utilization data so that we can keep track of the general characteristics of the students who we are serving.

For more information, please review our Programs and Services section under "About CARE" or click on this link to find out more about Individual Counseling.