Parent and Family Information

Parents and family play an important role in adjustment to college

College is a time marked by transition and personal growth. During this time students are entering into a new phase of life that is both exciting and challenging. Your student will continue to need your support during this time of change. Throughout this period of adjustment parents and families can help by providing trust and encouragement. Students who know they have the support of their parents and families will feel more comfortable following their pursuits in college.

Our role as professional counselors is to help guide students through a successful college experience by assisting in balancing developmental hurdles and educational challenges. We believe that you, the parents and family, play an extremely important role in helping us to meet that objective. Family members are often the first to notice changes in their student's behavior, attitudes, or emotional stability. It is important to talk with your student about your concerns because these changes might indicate a problem. Let them know that adjusting to college can be stressful and that the Counseling Center can help.

How to identify or decide if your child needs counseling

• They feel overwhelmed, sad, or helpless.
• They are unable to concentrate on assignments and their class performance has suffered as a result.
• Their actions are harmful to themselves or others.
• They are troubled by events facing family members or close friends.
• They just need someone to talk to.
• They are currently in counseling or have in the past and would like to meet with someone.

Referring your student for counseling

The best way to refer your student for counseling is to encourage them contact the Director of the Counseling Center, Carol Moran-Brown, by emailing Moran@champlain.edu or calling (802) 865-6426 to make an appointment. There are also times when a student might be more likely to come for counseling if a Counseling Center staff member initiates contact. In these situations, at your request, it may be appropriate for a Counseling Center staff member to call or email your student to discuss your concerns and invite them to schedule an appointment.

If you are concerned about your student's wellbeing and they are not responsive to your suggestion for counseling give us a call and we can talk with you about further options. If you are concerned about your student's immediate safety you may contact Campus Public Safety at (802)865-6465 and ask to speak to a counselor.

Confidentiality

If your student is a client of the Counseling Center federal and state laws prohibit us from acknowledging that your student is a client or discussing his or her case in any way without specific written permission from your student. If you wish to follow-up with us after referring or discussing your student, please encourage them to sign a written authorization form when they come for counseling.

Even within the limits of confidentiality, however, Counseling Center staff members strive to partner with parents and families. If you have information you feel is important, please let us know. We strongly encourage you to contact us and consult with you to obtain the best outcome possible for you and your student. We are also willing to speak with you in terms of hypothetical situations to give you the best idea of what typically happens with students seeking mental health services.

Resources for parents and families

Books:

• Don't Tell Me What To Do: Just Send Money by Helen Johnson and Christine Schelhas-Miller (2000).
• Letting Go: A Parents' Guide to Understanding the College Years by Karen Levin Coburn & Madge Lawrence Treeger (1997).
• Let the Journey Begin: A Parent's Monthly Guide to the College Experience by Jacqueline Kiernan MacKay and Wanda Johnson (2002).
• The Happiest Kid on Campus: Parent's Guide to the Very Best College Experience, by Harlan Cohen (2010).
• When Your Kid Goes To College: A Parent's Survival Guide by Carol Barkin (1999).
• You're on Your Own (But I'm Here if You Need Me): Mentoring Your Child During the College Years, by Marjorie Savage (2009).

Web sites:

• Champlain College parent resource page
• College Parents of America
• Black Excel: Helping African Americans with College Admission
• The Jed Foundation
• National Alliance on Mental Illness
• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration
• Transitioning
• The Unabridged Student Counseling Virtual Pamphlet Collection

Note: Much of this material was adapted from Web sites at the University of Connecticut, Skidmore College, Texas State University and University of Vermont