Stepped Care Model

All students meet initially with a counselor for a brief screening session to determine which counseling resources are the best fit for their presenting concerns. Through both electronic intake forms and face-to-face conversation, students share an overview of their concerns and goals. Students are provided with information and recommendations regarding relevant resources at LCCS, and they work together with counselors to determine a plan for moving forward.

Screening appointments for new students are generally available within one business day, with some exceptions during peak seasons. Screenings are required prior to participation in all face-to-face counseling services.

Counseling Service works closely with multiple partners across campus to support student mental health. Interdepartmental referrals are provided for students who would benefit from support in areas such as career development, health, fitness, intercultural connection, academic skills, spiritual formation, case management, and housing.

Counseling service cultivates healthy connections and authentic discussion between students, peer-based support includes NAMI, Actively Moving Forward, etc. Students are often referred to student organizations and other peer groups (such as Active Minds) in order to practice healthy connection and active belonging.

A full range of online tools are available for students who are motivated to work independently on strengthening mental health. TELUS provides general wellness tips that students can read through on their own. In addition, links to multiple apps and websites are provided through the self-help resources page.

Workshops or groups present skill-building information related to how to help a friend, anxiety, depression, and relationships in a highly structured and fast-paced format. Groups will be facilitated by LCCS counselors. Workshops may be facilitated by LCCS counselors and/or LCCS student outreach assistants. Students can be referred to groups or workshops from counseling service or they can self-refer based on interest. Students do not need to have completed an appointment request to participate in these groups or workshops.

For students encountering a specific problem or decision, a one-time counseling session can provide the needed support to move forward. Counselors focus with the student on naming the issue and problem-solving next steps, after which the student can follow up with other counseling service resources as needed.

Counseling groups offer students an opportunity to share concerns, support one another, learn skills, and practice healthy coping. Students who have completed an appointment request may be referred to these groups as appropriate by an LCCS counselor.

Luther College has contracted with a program called TELUS as an extended service of Luther Counseling Service. It provides crisis phone or chat support 24/7 by professional counselors. Or, you can connect with the same counselor over multiple sessions via telephone or video sessions. See the TELUS page to learn more.

Strength-based, short-term and goal-directed counseling is available to enrolled students with concerns that fall within Luther College Counseling Service scope of practice.

Rather than specific session numbers, reference to average duration of counseling may help to communicate to students and others in practical terms the short-term nature of counseling. It also indicates that “role and scope” and “resource availability” are primary factors in determining services provided.

*LCCS does not provide mental health counseling services to staff or faculty. Staff and/or faculty will be referred to local providers, the EAP program and/or Human Resources Department for any mental health counseling needs.

Students seeking consultation about medication are referred to Health Services or other local or community qualified providers in the student’s home area. In these situations, open communication between the student, counselor, and medical provider ensures a collaborative approach to treatment.

Determining a referral for off campus services:

LCCS may not be able to provide individual counseling under some circumstances. Decisions concerning these limitations may be made at the time of the intake assessment appointment, or during any subsequent stage of service. Clinical consultation and clinical judgment, in conjunction with the goal to provide the greatest benefit in the shortest amount of time are considerations taken when a referral is made. LCCS will continually strive to provide services to all students requesting services that are within LCCS’s “role and scope” and fall within the mission of LCCS. When a community referral is the most appropriate option for a client, the options should, to the best of the clinician’s ability, address client circumstances regarding insurance, finances, and transportation.