Client Rights and Responsibilities

The therapeutic relationship is confidential, which means your therapists will not give out any information about you without your written consent. State law and ethical standards of psychology require that we report information about you in the following circumstances:

• If there is a clear and imminent danger that you may harm yourself or others
• If a record is court-ordered by a proper legal authority
• If there is suspected or confirmed abuse of children or vulnerable adults
• If you are a minor and are not considered emancipated (living away from home and/or supporting yourself)
• If you describe sexual exploitation by a previous therapist
• If you are pregnant and using a felonious drug (e.g., cocaine, heroin)

The Center for Well-Being is an integrated health center and, as such, your therapist may consult with a provider in Health Services or Health Promotions about your care to provide the best possible care to you. Records are maintained on a confidential electronic records system. You may see all records about yourself if you wish. It is best to discuss this decision with your therapist.

All Counseling & Psychological staff are MN licensed psychologists and counselors who hold doctoral or master’s degrees in clinical or counseling psychology, social work, or marriage and family counseling. We also have qualified doctoral psychology interns and practicum students completing doctoral degrees in counseling or clinical psychology. All interns and practicum students receive a minimum of two hours of weekly clinical supervision from a licensed staff psychologist. Practicum students receive one hour of weekly supervision from a doctoral intern, supervised by a licensed staff psychologist or counselor.

It is your right to know the goals and treatment plan for therapy as well as your therapists’ views on your presenting issues. For individual and group counseling, the counselor will help you clarify your counseling goals and establish a treatment plan. For workshops, the facilitator will advise you of the goals of the workshop and what you can expect to happen in the workshop(s). Keep in mind that psychological change can elicit intense emotions that can feel difficult to tolerate. Your counselor will help you cope with hard emotions and be there with you through the difficult periods of change. We encourage you to be open with your counselor(s) so they can help you through the process.

All counseling services are covered under the St. Thomas Health Fee. We do not send you a bill for services and do not bill your insurance carrier for counseling services.

• Individual counseling sessions range from 30 to 50 minutes
• Group counseling sessions are 90 minutes
• Crisis Sessions are 30-60 minutes (longer if needed)
• Workshops are 60 minutes

If for any reason you are dissatisfied with the service you are receiving, please discuss this with your counselor(s). If you are uncomfortable speaking directly to your counselor(s), you may contact the Director of Counseling and Psychological Services to discuss your concerns by calling the CWB at (651) 962-6750.

If you need to cancel an appointment, please call CWB at (651) 962-6750 as soon as possible and the front desk staff will inform your counselor and/or help you reschedule. If you are late for the appointment, the session will end at the scheduled time. Please try not to “no show” your appointment. If you are having difficulty keeping your scheduled appointments, for any reason, please discuss this with your counselor(s). If you “no-show” or late cancel (less than 24-hour) for three appointments per year, you will be ineligible for services for the remainder of the semester.