Counseling

Email is not a secure mode of communication. It is inappropriate to use email to convey information of a personal or urgent matter. Please call the Counseling Center at 386-226-6035 to schedule, change or cancel appointments. The Counseling Center will only contact you (email/phone) with your consent as indicated on your client paperwork.

Counseling Services provides confidential mental health counseling services, consistent with the parameters of state and federal laws, as well as ethical standards. Providing confidential services means that Counseling Services staff members do not release your information outside Counseling Services without your permission. Professional ethics codes and state laws consider information discussed between a counselor and client (18 years and older) to be strictly confidential. The information that you share in counseling, including the fact you used our services, will not be disclosed to anyone (including university officials, faculty, staff, parents, or outside agencies) without your written permission, subject to the exceptions described below.  Counseling records are not part of your academic or administrative records, as they are "therapy notes" but will be retained in the Counseling Center for seven (7) years after your last counseling contact with the department.

The primary, but not limited to, exceptions to confidentiality may arise in situations involving imminent danger to yourself or others, abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult, responses to lawsuits and legal actions, subpoenas or orders from other tribunals or state agencies, in compliance with state and federal laws. Additional exceptions may arise, particularly in the context of legal proceedings, in which event you will be notified as appropriate, consistent with Counseling Services staff members’ professional obligations and state and federal law. 

Exceptions to Confidentiality

State and federal law and professional ethics do allow for some exceptions regarding confidentiality where it is permissible to breach confidentiality.

1. If there is evidence a student poses a clear and immediate probability of harming themselves and they are unwilling or unable to follow treatment recommendations, a counselor may seek involuntary admission to a hospital. If there is concern a student may engage in risky behavior potentially resulting in serious harm to the student and/or the public, a counselor may contact other campus resources: Campus Safety, Dean of Students or Health Services.
2. Harm to others: If a counselor has reason to believe a student is threatening physical violence against another, they may be required to take action to ensure the other person is protected. Such action may include contacting the police, notifying the intended victim and seeking involuntary hospitalization of the student. If there is concern a student may engage in risky behavior potentially resulting in serious harm to the student and/or the public, a counselor may contact other campus resources: Campus Safety, Dean of Students or Health Services.
3. Abuse/neglect of a child/elder/disabled person: Counselors who know or reasonably suspect a minor or a vulnerable adult is being abused, neglected or exploited are legally obligated to report this information to appropriate state agencies.
4. Court Subpeona: A court-ordered subpoena can require the Counseling Center to release information contained in records or for a counselor to testify in a court hearing.
5. Lawsuit against university: When a lawsuit is filed against the University, Embry-Riddle's General Counsel can require that the Counseling Center release the record to them when disclosure is deemed relevant to the lawsuit and/or requested by the University Insurance Company in the event of a lawsuit against the University (e.g. Demand Letter).
6. Medical Emergency: In the event of a medical emergency, the Counseling Center Staff will seek medical intervention (e.g. 911, Health Services).

The staff at Embry-Riddle Counseling Center have a commitment to provide a safe, welcoming environment for all students regardless of their gender, gender expression, gender identity, ethnicity, race, language, culture, religious/spiritual beliefs, sexual orientation, national origin, immigration status, age, size, physical and mental abilities, and/or socioeconomic status. We aim to demonstrate diversity through our work with individual counseling, consultation, outreach presentations and program development. In our professional roles, we stand at the intersection of diversity and mental/emotional health by recognizing the impact of diversity on all individuals such as discrimination, stereotypes, oppression, prejudice, acculturation and identity development.

We make an effort to promote the acceptance and understanding of individuals with diverse backgrounds and to educate ourselves and others on diversity-related matters. We strive to be affirming, respectful and open minded to individuals with diverse backgrounds not only among ourselves within the Counseling Center, but across the campus community through our contact with all students, staff, faculty and administrators. Not only do we want to share this vision, but we hope to contribute to the reduction of problems such as prejudice, discrimination and exploitation.

We strive to recognize when our multiple identities affect how we may relate to or work with our colleagues and the individuals we serve. It is part of our professional responsibility to gain continuing education for ourselves regarding individuals of diverse backgrounds. We work towards recognizing and understanding the value of our similarities and differences. We respect the freedom for people to remain committed to personal values.

We see the richness and benefit of living in a multicultural society at large and at the University. Our hope is that individuals at the Counseling Center, on campus and within the Eagle community to feel at peace, to live and be themselves.

Counseling often involves the disclosure of sensitive and personal information. Professional ethics codes and state laws consider information discussed between a counselor and client (18 years and older) to be strictly confidential. Students under the age of 18 are required to have a Minor Authorization Form signed prior to receiving services.

Please note: We are unable to confirm or deny counseling attendance of any student without their written permission.

Consultation is available to students, faculty, academic staff and university administrators who are concerned about an unusual, problematic or potentially harmful behavior regarding a student.

Faculty, academic staff and university administrators who are in need of personal counseling can access services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

The staff at Embry-Riddle's Counseling Center have a commitment to provide a safe, welcoming environment for all students regardless of their gender, gender expression, gender identity, ethnicity, race, language, culture, religious/spiritual beliefs, sexual orientation, national origin, immigration status, age, physical and mental/intellectual abilities, and/or socioeconomic status. We aim to demonstrate diversity through our work with individual counseling, consultation, outreach presentations and program development.

• Polara Guidance Clinic
• Granite Mountain Psychological Society
• Psychology Today
• BetterHelp UnitedHealthcare

On Campus

• Embry-Riddle Campus Safety 24/7: 928-777-3333
• Embry-Riddle Wellness Center: 928-777-6653

Off Campus

• Prescott Police Department: 928-777-1900
• Crisis Response Network (CRN): 844-534-4673
• Polara Crisis Stabilization Unit: 928-445-5211 x3900
• Yavapai County Victims Services: 928-771-3344
• Yavapai Family Advocacy Center - 928-775-0669  
• Stepping Stones Domestic Violence Helpline: 928-445-4673
• Prescott Area Women’s Shelter: 928-777-5933