Resources
Resources for Parents
Counseling and Consultation Services is a resource for parents who may be worried or concerned about their daughter or son.
Here are a few frequently asked questions about our services.
1. What does Counseling and Consultation Services provide and at what cost?
Please refer to our Services Page to read an overview of the services that we provide IWU students. Our confidentiality policy is outlined on the Confidentiality Page. A staff of licensed counselors provide counseling to students. Help is available if your daughter or son needs any of the services included on this page. Refer to our About Us - Making Appointments Page for emergency help information. There is no charge for counseling. For more information, call our office at (309)-556-3052 or you may email a counselor. Please keep in mind that due to the non-secure nature of e-mail, the IWU CCS staff cannot ensure the confidentiality of such communication. Please use discretion when sending information that is sensitive in nature. Also, please note that we do not maintain 24-hour access to e-mail accounts.
2. If a student seeks counseling services, does this information go on the student's permanent record?
No, information about counseling is confidential and protected by privileged communication laws of the United States and Illinois Statutes. No information is released to anyone, including parents, without the student's explicit consent.
3. How Can Parents Help?
- Know the signs that may indicate psychological or emotional distress (included below)
- Learn how to respond effectively
- Learn about campus resources
- Learn how to make a referral
4. Some Signs of Troubled Students
- Changes in academic performance: motivation, grades, or class attendance
- Changes in behavior: energy, personal hygiene, speech, mood, or appetite
- Changes in relationships: death of a family member or close friend; difficulties in romantic relationships; or conflict in close relationships
- References to suicide: direct statements about suicide; statements about hopelessness or helplessness; or pessimism about the future
5. How Parents May Respond
- Speak to your son or daughter when you notice something unusual; don't ignore disturbing behavior.
- Communicate directly in a caring manner describing the behaviors that are cause for concern.
- Use "I" language that focuses on what you notice or what you feel.
- Avoid being critical or judgmental.
- Don't bring up concerns in the midst of an argument.
- Be willing to listen to what your son or daughter has to say.
- Ask directly how you can best be of help.
- Encourage responsibility by helping your son or daughter to define the problem and identify possible solutions.
- Recommend counseling as an objective, outside resource.
6. How to Make a Referral
- Tell your son or daughter why you are making the referral to counseling.
- Review information about our services by visiting this website.
- Suggest that your son or daughter attend one session before deciding whether counseling would or would not be helpful.
- Except in the case of imminent danger to self or others, allow your son or daughter to refuse counseling. Your suggestion might still be under consideration for a later time or a decision to be made privately.
- Call Counseling and Consultation Services, yourself, to get information about services and how to make an appointment; for consultation about how to discuss the referral with your daughter or son; or for outside referral sources. Our phone number is (309)-556-3052.
Faculty Resources
How to help with mental health challenges of students
Given the close-knit nature of the IWU community, faculty and staff may have opportunities to assist in identifying students with mental health challenges before major crises arise. Faculty members may notice concerning behaviors or other symptoms demonstrated by their students in class or in advising sessions. Staff members may notice disturbing situations or patterns among their student workers. Students may appear to be frequently tearful, highly stressed, or excessively worried. Faculty or staff may notice when students are extremely thin, are unable to produce work on time, or make veiled threats to hurt themselves or someone else.
Certainly, in any of these cases, it would be fine to make a referral for the student to seek counseling. Often, though, it is helpful to think through situations first. Counselors are available to consult with faculty and staff members regarding any students of concern. Questions such as “Should I be concerned? Alarmed?” “What should I say?” “How do I get this student to the help that he or she needs?” “What if the student doesn’t want help?” can be thought through by discussing the situation and developing a plan. Sometimes, it is helpful to have some follow-up conversations as the situation evolves.
Faculty or staff members may choose to share the student’s name or keep the consultation anonymous. Faculty and staff should understand that, even if given the name, counselors are not likely to contact the student. Instead, the faculty or staff member will be supported in encouraging students to seek the services they need. CCS strives to be available, without being intrusive. Thus, only in the rare exceptions (e.g., life-threatening matters, following certain tragic events), will CCS initiate the student contact. If the student of concern is already being seen at CCS, the information shared by the faculty or staff member can be passed on to the counselor currently seeing the student client.
To consult with a CCS counselor regarding a student of concern, call 3052. If the situation is an emergency, and you are unable to reach a counselor at that number (perhaps because they are all in sessions at the time of your call), call security 1111, and have a counselor paged.
Self-Help Books
These are now available on-campus at the IWU Bookstore
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When Perfect Isn't Good Enough: Strategies for Coping With Perfectionism
-Martin M. Antony
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From Panic to Power : Proven Techniques to Calm Your Anxieties,
Conquer Your Fears, and Put You in Control of Your Life
- Lucinda Bassett
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The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook
- Martha Davis
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Beyond Anxiety and Phobia: A Step-By-Step Guide to Lifetime Recovery
- Edmund J. Bourne
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The Depression Workbook 2 Ed:
A Guide for Living with Depression and Manic Depression
- M. A. Copeland
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The Now Habit:
A Strategic Program for Overcoming
Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play
- Neil Fiore
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New Hope for People with Bipolar Disorder :
Your Friendly, Authoritative Guide
to the Latest in Traditional and Complementary Solutions
- Jan Fawcett
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Skills Training Manual for Treating Borderline Personality Disorder
- Marsha M. Linehan
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The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook
- Edmund J. Bourne
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The Body Image Workbook:
An 8-Step Program for Learning to Like Your Looks
- Thomas F. Cash
Here is a link to the Student Counseling Virtual Pamphlet Collection at the University of Chicago. Thomas A.M. Kramer, M.D., has graciously allowed us to link to this collection (Thank you Dr. Kramer).