Parents
The Counseling Center staff welcomes any comments or questions parents may have about our services. However, parents should be aware that the Counseling Center is ordinarily prevented by confidentiality laws of the State of Florida from disclosing any information about the students that have been counseled. Although we may not be able to reveal any information about students who use our services, we are willing to receive input from parents about their concerns.
Please Note: No disclosure about students in counseling is ordinarily possible.
FAQ’S
How can I communicate with someone at the Counseling Center if I have a concern about my son or daughter?
Phone the Counseling Center at 239-590-7950 during office hours. We do not send email responses to inquiries about students.
When my son or daughter arrives, I would like my son or daughter to meet with a counselor. Should I come also to provide you with information?
If the student requests the parent to join a session, we will honor that request and we do enjoy meeting parents. We have found, however, that self initiation is more likely to foster a more positive college adjustment.
If I am concerned that my son or daughter is not adjusting well and refuses to seek help, what should I do?
One course of action may be to contact Resident Life at (239) 590-1700, and through a Resident Director have your son or daughter contacted. Assistance could be provided in helping your son or daughter with the adjusting to the new environment. In case you believe the situation is serious to the point of endangering your son or daughter's safety, you should phone the Dean of Students at (239) 590-7900 or with Campus Security at (239) 590-1900. In those circumstances, you are also advised to follow up your phone call with a visit to your son or daughter to see for yourself and arrange help.
My son or daughter is concerned about making an appointment at the Counseling Center due to concerns that the information about the visit will appear on the school record? Is this correct?
No, counseling is confidential except in unusual circumstances involving protection of life or required by law. Counseling records are professional records and are not part of any university record.
What type of counseling services are provided by CAPS?
See our website for more details. Although counseling at CAPS is free and confidential, we are also happy to make referrals off campus for more extensive or specialized psychotherapy than we can provide.
My son or daughter was taking a psychotropic medication before entering college. Can medication monitoring be continued under the care of a Counseling Center psychiatrist?
Yes, students can obtain psychiatric services through CAPS only if the student comes for regular counseling. In order to be seen for psychiatric services, students must be seen for an intake in CAPS and be assigned a CAPS counselor or Case Manager. We believe that most students can learn new strategies through counseling to help them cope more effectively with their problems.
My son or daughter has been diagnosed with ADHD and is taking medication. Will my son or daughter be able to get refills for the medication?
There is a protocol that CAPS uses to provide services for students diagnosed with ADHD. Please click for the protocol.
Is there anything we can do to facilitate continuing psychological and psychiatric treatment when my son or daughter enters FGCU?
You could have prior treatment records or a treatment summary mailed to the Director of the Counseling Center, Dr. Jon Brunner, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers, FL 33965 . We will then have that information when your son or daughter arrives at the Counseling Center.
I am worried that I will miss my son or daughter terribly when leaving home. Do you have any suggestions?
Often overlooked is the fact that the college experience is a significant transition for the parents of college students. As parents, you may experience feelings of happiness, excitement, and pride when your son or daughter leave for college. At the same time, you may feel a sense of sadness and pain and have many understandable fears and concerns about your son or daughter's future and well-being. You may worry about your son or daughter's safety and ability to care effectively for themselves. You may fear “losing” your son or daughter as they begin to function more independently and forms deep attachments with peers. You may be concerned about how your son or daughter will deal with alcohol, drugs, and sexual relationships. You may also wonder how your son or daughter's performance in college will reflect on you as the parent
Recognize that it is normal to have mixed feelings when your son or daughter leave home. Feelings of pain and loss often accompany separation from loved ones. It is also normal to feel a sense of relief when your son or daughter leave for college, and to look forward to some time alone, or with your significant other, or with your younger son or daughter.
Do your best to maintain your own sense of well-being. This may involve eating and sleeping well, exercising, and setting new and creative goals for yourself. Perhaps this is a good time to do some of things you put off while your son or daughter were growing up-taking on a project or hobby can be an excellent way to channel your energy and feelings.
What are some resources to help me understand the transitions for both me and my son or daughter?
The following websites provide some rather helpful information and insight for this transition:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/08/24/backtoschool/main308005.shtml
http://www.students.gov/STUGOVWebApp/Public
http://www.jedfoundation.org/programs_parents.php
http://www.collegeparents.org/cpa/resource.html
How can I support my son or daughter during this transitional period going off to college?
Although your son or daughter want and need to become more autonomous during this period, it is important for them to know you are still available. Maintaining a supportive relationship with them can be critical, particularly during their first year of college. If you and your son or daughter were not particularly close prior to their leaving home, it is still important for you to convey your support. You may be surprised to find that some space and distance from your son or daughter can help improve your relationships with them.
It is important to maintain regular contact with your son or daughter, but also to allow space for your son or daughter to approach you and set the agenda for some of your conversations. Let your son or daughter know that you respect and support their right to make independent decisions and that you will serve as an advocate and an advisor when asked. Finally, recognize that is normal for your son or daughter to seek your help one day and reject it the next. Such behavior can be confusing and exhausting for parents, so make sure to take care of yourself by talking about your feelings with your own support system.
Be realistic and specific with your son or daughter about financial issues, including what you will and will not pay for, as well as your expectations for how they will spend money.
It is also important to be realistic about your son or daughter's academic performance, recognizing that not every straight-A student in high school will be a straight-A student in college. Help your son or daughter set reasonable academic goals; and encourage them to seek academic assistance when needed.
The fact that your son or daughter have left home does not necessarily prevent family problems from arising or continuing. Refrain from burdening your son or daughter with problems from home they have no control over and can do nothing about. Sharing these problems with your son or daughter may cause them to worry excessively and even feel guilty that they are away from home and unable to help
Do you need special permission for treatment if my son or daughter is under 18?
Yes, for any session beyond initial assessment or crisis counseling, we will need a parent or guardian's written authorization. We have forms for that purpose which we can give to your son or daughter, or that you may sign during student orientation.
What is FERPA?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of a student’s educational records. It applies to schools receiving funds through a U. S. Department of Education program. Once a student enters college, information from his student record cannot be shared with others - including parentsn - unless the student gives written permission. The law does allow an institution to disclose records without consent in some special cases. These include health and safety emergencies. All schools are required to post an annual FERPA notification. Information regarding FERPA is available here.
