Counseling Services
Parent FAQs
What Services do you offer students?
Counseling services are available to assist students with personal concerns they may experience while enrolled at Northeast Community College and UNMC. They offer short-term services, free of charge to students enrolled in six credits or more.
How do I refer my student to your services?
To start the process, encourage your student to schedule an appointment by calling (402) 844-7277 or (402) 844-7272 or emailing the counselor at counseling@northeast.edu.
What should I do if my student is reluctant to seek counseling?
While counseling is a personal decision, sometimes it can be helpful to encourage a student to talk to a counselor about ones concerns. It is important to remember that it's ultimately the student's decision to seek help, but the following strategies might help persuade an ambivalent student to consider counseling:
- Inform your student that information shared during counseling is confidential to the extent permitted by state law and will not be disclosed without written permission.
- Remind your student that one can meet with a counselor for one session without committing to ongoing counseling.
- Reduce the stigma associated with counseling. Tell your student that our counseling services are regularly used by many students for a variety of concerns and that utilizing counseling services reflects good use of one's resources. Just as it is common to visit a doctor when one has a medical problem, there should be no shame in meeting with a counselor to discuss a personal issue or concern.
- Suggest that your student visit our website to become familiar with our services. Encourage your student to try our anonymous self-assessments.
Is it possible for the counselor to update me on what my student talks about in counseling?
Not without the student's written consent. Federal and state laws require that counseling conversations and records remain strictly confidential.
Knowing that your student is in counseling, but not knowing anything about the content of those sessions, can sometimes be challenging for concerned parents. However, it is important to understand that confidentiality is an essential element of the counseling process, as it creates a safe environment for students to discuss their personal concerns openly and honestly.
Will counseling become part of my student's academic record?
No. Our records are confidential and are entirely separate from students' academic records.
Can I schedule an appointment for my student?
No. The student will need to contact our office of one's own free will. If you are speaking with your student and would like to contact our office with your student present, we will still need to speak directly to the student.
Can I have access to my student's information?
Federal and state laws require that counseling conversations and records remain strictly confidential. We cannot speak with you about your student unless s/he signs a release for us to do so.