Questions Parents Frequently Ask
Q: I’ve been trying to encourage my child to make a counseling appointment but he/she doesn't’t want to go. How can I encourage him/her to get the needed help?
A: After listening to your adult child’s thoughts and feelings in a sensitive, non judgmental way, you can instill hope by helping them to realize that there are options for help, and that things will not always appear so difficult. Point out that help is available and that you believe that using resources like counseling is a sign of strength and maturity, rather than a sign of weakness or failure. Give information about the counseling service and prepare them for what to expect. If a student is simply not ready to use professional counseling services, you can suggest other resources like residence life staff, chaplains, friends or other trusted adults as a first step in addressing concerns. You can always consult with a Counseling Center professional about your specific concerns in wanting your child to see a counselor.
Q: If my child needs to withdraw because of his/her psychological needs, how can you help?
A: Students who need to withdraw from all classes for psychological reasons have several options. If they have been in treatment with us, their therapist or, if applicable, their treatment team (which may include their therapist and the psychiatrist and perhaps a physician from Student Health Service) will write a letter of support that they take to the Dean of their College. If they are unable to do this on their own, we can help facilitate the process. They may also chose to have their academic advisor or academic intervention coordinator (CAS only: Academic Resource Hotline: 412-624-2052) help facilitate their withdraw. When it is past the last date to withdraw from individual classes, students who are seeking to medically withdraw from the semester must withdraw from all classes. The idea behind a medical withdrawal is that a student is not able to function in any capacity and treatment for their psychological state must be a priority. These students are often in need of psychiatric hospitalization or to be taken home for more intensive treatment. Therefore continuing with any academic courses is deemed an unrealistic expectation.
Q: What if I want to share information about my child or inquire about how they are doing? How can I verify that my child made and/or kept an appointment?
A: If your child has signed a Release of Information Form that allows a counselor to speak to their parent(s), a parent can contact their child’s therapist. Because information regarding your child’s treatment will be treated in a confidential manner, a signed release will be necessary for specific information to be shared. Counseling Center staff can only keep you informed at a level that has been agreed upon with the student who has signed the release and is in treatment at the center. Because of the Mental Health Law and confidentiality restrictions, we cannot even verify that your child is being seen for counseling without a written release giving specific permission to do so. If we don’t have a signed release you can still share information or direct questions to either the Director or Associate Director and they can help you address your concern.
Q: Can the counselor call me to keep me updated on how treatment is going?
A: The therapeutic alliance between the therapist and client is necessary for good treatment. When a Release of Information to parents is signed by a student, parents can call to express concerns or inquire about the general well-being of their child. We encourage parents to tell their son/daughter about the conversation with the therapist. We also encourage students to directly communicate with their parents about their treatment so that parents don’t feel like they need to call to be check on his/her well-being. This reinforces open communication with the parents as well as trust in the therapist. We do not initiate calls to parents unless their son/daughter requests it or we believe it is in the best interest of the student to do so.
Q: I want to make an appointment for my child but was told that I could not. Why not?
A: We require all students to make their own appointments. Students who make their own appointments are already beginning the first steps towards a positive therapeutic relationship by demonstrating their readiness to engage in therapy.
Q: My child is still a minor. Don't I have to consent to treatment and don’t I have the right to know what happens in the counseling process?
A: In Pennsylvania, The Minors Consent to Treatment Act establishes that high school graduates, regardless of age, are able to consent to their own treatment without the notification, involvement, or consent of their parents or guardians.
Q: My child has been receiving psychiatric services at home and needs to continue to get their medication at University of Pittsburgh. How can he/she make a psychiatric appointment?
A: All students who wish to make a psychiatric appointment must first meet with a therapist to determine the necessity of the appointment and to gather necessary referral information. Because of the high demand on psychiatric services, all students who receive these services must be engaged in therapy with a staff therapist who will provide psychotherapy and case management services. Students who do not wish to engage in therapy and only desire medication can receive an outside referral.
Q: Help! My son only has a little bit of his medication left and he was told the psychiatrist couldn't just give him medication until he met her for a full initial evaluation in two to four weeks. What do I do?
A: Psychiatrists are very reluctant to prescribe medication to a patient with whom they do not have an established relationship. To do so could be considered medical malpractice. Our policy is that students must first be evaluated by a staff therapist before a referral to the psychiatrist can be made. This means it takes an average of 3-6 weeks from the time they make a phone call to see the psychiatrist and the time they actually get to see one. This is often a shorter time than if they tried to establish a new relationship with an outside psychiatrist. The best option for the student is to have them get their prescription renewed by the prescribing psychiatrist or physician or to request that his/her regular PCP renew the prescription until psychiatric care at the university or in the Pittsburgh area can be established. We will also provide outside resources for psychiatric care for those who request it or who do not want to also have counseling.
Q: My child has or may have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and needs to see the psychiatrist for medication. What does she need to do to have this happen?
A: If your child has already been diagnosed with ADHD and is already on medication, he/she will need to make an appointment with a therapist and bring documentation from the psychiatrist, psychologist, or other related medical professional qualified to make such diagnosis and who has been treating/prescribing for your child. Appropriate testing information must be supplied and must be up-to-date before an appointment can be made to see the psychiatrist. Many students prefer to continue to have their current medical professional continue to write scripts for them and can bring these scripts to the Student Health Services Pharmacy to be filled. We strongly encourage students with ADHD to register with Disability Resources and Services so that additional accommodations may be made for them as appropriate.
If you suspect your child may have ADD, they will need to have a complete evaluation before being referred to psychiatric care for medication. The University Counseling Center does not provide testing for ADD but will provide referral resources if desired. Once the necessary testing and documentation is available, and if medications are warranted, the therapist will make a referral to the psychiatrist. The student must be willing to see the therapist at least once per term for case management and more if it is part of their psychiatric treatment plan. Some students will choose to see their home PCP or get a direct referral to an outside psychiatrist who is willing to diagnose and prescribe for them. They can get referral resources either through us or from their insurance company. Please note that Student Health Services will not write prescriptions for Class 3 medications, commonly prescribed for ADD.
Q: I think my child may have an eating disorder. What do I say?
A: If you think that your child is restricting caloric intake, bingeing, vomiting, making repeated statements about weight or body image, using laxatives/diet pills/diuretics and/or over-exercising, express care and concern about your child’s behavior. Recognize that an eating disorder is serious. Ignoring the eating disordered behavior will not make the behavior disappear. On the other hand, parents are not able to effectively "do therapy" with their own child. Instead, encourage your child to seek assistance from trained professionals at the University of Pittsburgh Counseling Center or Student Health Services. Avoid overly focusing on your child’s weight or looks. Avoid blaming him/her for the disorder. Instead, engage in an open dialogue about feelings. Anticipate that your child may be hesitant or resistant to seeking treatment. Recognize also that recovery is a process and relapses may occur. If you would like to consult further, feel free to contact the counseling center. Our Counseling Center uses a team approach in which consultation between the counselor, a physician, and dietitian work to collaboratively provide the best treatment plan recommendations for the student.
Q: How do I help my daughter or son who may have been sexually assaulted?
A: Listen. Let your child express his/her feelings.
Call the Sexual Assault Services Coordinator at 412-648-7930. She can provide you with information concerning your child’s safety, medical attention, reporting procedures, and appropriate resources.
Encourage your child to talk with the Sexual Assault Services Coordinator, to seek medical attention, and to notify the police. However, let your child make his/her own decisions.
Assist your child in contacting the resources she/he wishes.
Q: What do I say to my son or daughter who has experienced a traumatic event (e.g., unexpected death of a loved one, physical assault, mugging, etc.)?
A: Listen to your child and normalize the feelings expressed—shock, fear, anxiety, confusion, anger, etc. Contact the Counseling Center (412-648-7930) for information regarding medical attention, if necessary, and other resources pertaining to police assistance, reporting procedures, and safety.
Encourage your child to call the Counseling Center and talk with a counselor. Counseling will help your child deal with the feelings that are interfering with daily functioning.