What kinds of things/issues do students go to Regis University's Office of Counseling and Personal Development (OCPD) for?
Students seeks services at RU OCPD for a variety of reasons. Some of which include: homesickness, sleep disturbances, anxiety, difficulty with concentrating, depression, roommate conflicts, post-traumatic stress disorder, difficulty making decisions, relationship issues, self-harm behaviors, eating disorders, tension/stress and bi-polar disorder.
What is OCPD?
The Office of Counseling and Personal Development at Regis University is basically a mental health center located on the Regis University campus. We provide mental health services (individual/couples therapy, brown bag discussions, outreach presentations) to the Regis University community.
Where is OCPD Located?
OCPD is located in the Coors Life Direction Center, Room 114. We share offices with Student Health Services.
What are the OCPD hours of service?
OCPD is open from 8:30am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday. Our main phone number (303.458.3507) is answered after hours and weekends by mental health professionals to assist you with your mental health needs.
Who works at OCPD/what are their qualifications?
OCPD's senior staff is comprised of highly qualified/well-experienced/licensed clinicians with both Master and Doctoral level degrees within the social work, clinical psychology and counseling fields. We are also a training site for an American Psychological Association-approved doctoral psychology intern and two graduate interns. These interns are supervised by senior staff members so that clients can be assured of a high level of competency and treatment provision. More detailed biographies can be found on our website.
Who qualifies for services at the OCPD?
OCPD services are available to all Regis College students, the Masters in Biomedical Sciences students, Accelerated Nursing Students, Doctoral Pharmacy and Doctoral Physical Therapy students. We also provide one-time consultation/crisis/referral services to Regis University staff, faculty and CPS students. Additional referral resources for on-line, distant learners and CPS students are located on our website homepage.
Do I have to pay for services at OCPD?
OCPD are free to the above mentioned students as part of your student fees.
Given that this is a campus resource, do other people/departments on campus have access to the information that I discuss with an OCPD therapist?
Just as in private practice agencies, all information discussed within counseling sessions is kept confidential. No other person or department on campus can even know that you are attending counseling without your specific, written consent. Even if your RA or a professor walks you over to our offices, they cannot not know if you ever attended any additional sessions or what you discussed in session with us. The only exceptions to this law is if you are in imminent danger of hurting yourself or others and/or disclose any type of abuse or neglect regarding a minor child then we are mandated by law to report this to the appropriate agencies or intervene as necessary.
Who does have access to my OCPD file?
OCPD staff are the only persons who have access to your counseling file. Your counseling file is separate from your academic record and student health record. Again, the only way that someone else can have access to your counseling file/information is through your specific, written consent.
How do the OCPD’s therapists handle it if I am one of their client’s but then I see them around campus?
Your therapist will discuss this with you in the intake session. Given that Regis is a small campus there will likely be times that you would run into your therapist in the cafeteria, student center or just walking around campus. Your therapist will inform you that they will not acknowledge you in public unless you do so first in order to assure confidentiality. Even then, it is in your control to define to anyone else how you know us (for example rather than saying someone is your therapist you could say that you met us through a classroom presentation or consulted us on a research project for class).
What if I don’t “click” with my assigned therapist or don’t think that they are helpful. What do I do?
The “fit” between and therapist and a client is one of the most important components of a successful and productive counseling experience. Therefore, if you don’t feel as though you are “clicking” with your therapist, please speak up! Believe us, we won’t be offended and will help to re-assign you to a new therapist within the OCPD or assist you with an off campus referral in order to meet your needs.
Should I be concerned that I will get hospitalized for being “crazy”?
On rare occasions, OCPD staff have found it necessary to request that students be assessed at a hospital in situations where we are concerned about your personal safety—not because you are “crazy.” If this were to occur, all efforts are made to initiate this process in a calm and collaborative manner in order to assure privacy and confidentiality.
I’m afraid that if OCPD finds out that I’m suicidal, I will be kicked off campus. Is that true?
As described in the Student Handbook, if there are concerns that you are at risk of harming yourself or others, you may be asked to leave campus temporarily on a medical leave in order to be assessed or evaluated by an off campus resource (a hospital, an off-campus psychiatrist or therapist). Our goal is to keep our students safe but also to return students back to campus and classes as soon as possible.