Faculty, staff, campus police, area coordinators, residence assistants, and residence directors develop high quality relationships with Pitt-Johnstown students. They are in an excellent position to know when to suggest to a student that he or she may want to visit with our counseling center staff.
If a student does express a concern but is hesitant to contact our office because they perceive their concern as being “too small” of an issue, please reassure them by saying: “if YOU are concerned about it, then WE are concerned about it…no matter how BIG or how small.” If needed, help them schedule the appointment immediately so that time is not lost and they don’t have a chance to put it off until they forget about it. Small problems tend to become big ones if left unresolved.
I. REFERRAL GUIDELINES
Self-Referral
Students typically refer themselves to the Personal Counseling Center. Appointments are scheduled by telephone, e-mail, or else students stop in the office. Students are seen for an appointment on the same day they request our services if that is necessary.
Referral by Residence Life Staff, Fellow Students, Faculty or Staff
Students sometime need encouragement and assistance in making a self-referral, and this can be provided by their friends, faculty or staff. These concerned “others” might consider calling for an appointment on the student’s behalf with the student present. It may be helpful or even necessary to accompany the student to their appointment at the Personal Counseling Center to further demonstrate concern and support. If you do not take these extra measures when appropriate, the student may “promise” you he/she will call for an appointment, but then does not. If you are concerned, help them actually make the appointment. There is not much you can do beyond that.
If you believe the student’s situation is urgent enough to require immediate attention, be sure to state this to the secretary when you contact our office.
Emergency / Crisis Referral
If the crisis situation is a medical or health emergency, Campus Police and/or Health Services should receive the first telephone call.
If it is determined that a therapist from the Personal Counseling Center should be contacted because of a crisis situation, the student should be asked whether he or she has previously seen a therapist at the Personal Counseling Center. - If they have previously been seen at the Center, then that particular therapist should be contacted regardless of the day or time of day.
- If that particular therapist is not available, then the other staff therapist should be contacted.
- If the student has no prior connection with this office, then the director should be called.
- In the rare event that neither is available, contact Crisis Intervention.
If a person judged to be in a crisis situation is not a registered Pitt-Johnstown student, contact Campus Police who will contact the community based crisis intervention unit or else pursue the appropriate course of action.
II. CASE MANAGEMENT
ALL referrals are managed by the Director of the Personal Counseling Center. This “case management” function ensures that our resources are allocated in the most efficient manner. Therefore, please do not refer students to any specific therapist on our staff. Simply refer them to our office and not to a specific therapist. If there is a specific circumstance, bring this to the attention of the secretary who will take the necessary action.
III. CONTACT INFORMATION
Personal Counseling Center Office
121 Blackington Hall
(814) 269-7119
Dr. Bob Yaskanich, Director
Emily Kist, MSW, LSW, Therapist & Outreach Coordinator
Diane Lenio, Secretary
Other Emergency Numbers:
Pitt-Johnstown Campus Police
Non Emergency: (814) 269-7005
On-Campus Emergency (814) 269-7222
Victim Services (Sexual Assault) (814) 288-4961
Victim Services 24 Hr. Hotline 1-800-755-1983
Women’s Help Center (814) 536-5361
Crisis Intervention – (814) 535-8531