Of Note:

Academic Year 2009-2010

Study Drugs [Read more]

OBHS Q & A:

Question:    
    
If I come to OBHS and talk with a therapist, will what I say be used as a reason to send me home?

Question:

In order to save some of my "sessions" with the OBHS therapist, a friend said I could use email --is this right?

Answer:

We do not want students to use e-mail instead of a face-to-face appointment with a therapist because email can be breeched, which of course means no guarantee of confidentiality. Don't worry about saving appointments--OBHS doesn't abandon people.

Question:

I have heard that some students go to OBHS and then get sent home.  Under what conditions does this happen?

Answer:

When a student goes to OBHS and is put on medical leave it is because the student is not able to function at Wesleyan (i.e., attend classes, study, do assignments, get out of bed, keep in touch with friends, etc., etc.) and it is determined that Wesleyan is not the appropriate (best) place to resolve this dysfunction. It is smarter for the student to be in a supportive setting for a period of time where he/she can attain, with professional help, his/her former level of ability. After this time the student would be expected to return to Wesleyan.  The determination to take a medical leave is never "rushed" or "hurried" unless there is a question of harm or danger to the student and/or others.

Question:

How do I know who the therapists are? I call and get paired with an OBHS therapist based solely on our mutual availability--I don't even know if the appointment is with a male or a female therapist.

Answer:

OBHS has the same thought--and the OBHS website is adding therapist photos and brief but informative bios.  Mutual availability is an important "matching" factor and you will have an opportunity to know something about the therapist you will be seeing.

Question:

Does it cost a student to use OBHS's services?

Answer:

There is no costs for students using OBHS's services.

Question:

A few fellow students--seniors--I know would like to form a support group to discuss life after graduation from Wesleyan.  Would OBHS be willing to help us?

Answer:

OBHS is on the "ready" to help students who want to develop a therapy or support group with a particular focus such as after graduation or coping with divorcing parents, etc.

Question:

I think I have insurance from Wesleyan -- how does that work if I see an outside therapist?

Answer:

If you have Wesleyan insurance and when referred by OBHS, it will cover 100% of Reasonable and Customary Expense up to $500, then 80% up to $5,000 maximum.  When not referred by OBHS:  80% of Reasonable and Customary Expense up to $5,000 maximum, not to exceed 5 visits.

If you have insurance from other sources (for example: parent's insurance which also covers the student) it is probable that information about the claim (including the outside provider's name, address) will be forwarded to the primary insurance holder (parents, etc.). Diagnosis may also be included.

Question:         

Answer:           

Please make an appointment with OBHS and let us determine the level of need — you might as well use our expertise!  In general, it is always better to deal with personal issues earlier rather than later.  Avoiding a crisis is so much more constructive than having to deal with a full-blown crisis.

Wesleyan students need never be concerned about “using up” their access to mental health services — OBHS will always be available to help students deal with emotional problems in whatever way is most effective.

What constitutes a session?  How do I know how many times I’ve been seen?

OBHS has always customized treatment programs.  The usual time for a session is 45 minutes but often that doesn’t suit the particular need and/or circumstances of a given student — so we can customize them.  For example:  5 minute phone calls (9 of these = one 45-minute session) or 15-minute sessions each day for a period of time, or a combination of phone calls, short sessions and longer sessions.  OBHS is focused on maximizing a useful response to students’ particular needs — not just an arbitrary “in place” protocol.

If I want an outside provider how do I go about it?

We recommend that students who want an outside therapist (preferably one near campus)* go to the Outside Referrals link on the OBHS website.  Once there they will see that those therapists who are within walking distance (or easy public transport) from campus are displayed according to their professional affiliation (Social Worker, Psychiatrist, and Psychologist).  These professionals have the requisite credentials but one still needs to determine the quality of the interpersonal “chemistry.”  The best way to determine how good a “match” a therapist is would be to ask to meet with him/her for a short appointment in order to decide with whom the student feels most comfortable.  If the professional declines to do this or says something like, “ . . . I never do that . . .” then the student knows a lot about that therapist.  In short — be sure you feel “comfortable” with the therapist.  If you aren’t getting close to finding someone, come back to OBHS for some help in your search.  We are here for you.

*If you have any questions, please come in or call us.

Question:         

Why would someone want to go to an outside provider?

There are numerous reasons why a student might want to seek therapy with an outside provider — some examples would include:

1.      If a student has previously been in treatment and would like to see a therapist on a more frequent basis than OBHS can provide because it operates on a time-limited model.

2.      If a student has come to OBHS but it is clear to both the student and his/her therapist that the student would benefit from more frequent therapy than OBHS can cover.

3.      A student thinks it would be good to have some part of his/her life take place off campus

Question:          

What if I have been to OBHS early in the academic year?  I don’t know how many appointments I had but something has come up and I need to see a therapist again.  Can I come back to OBHS?

Just call OBHS and ask for a consultation with the person you saw.

My roommate found an outside therapist but after three sessions never wanted to go back.  Can she go back to OBHS?

She certainly can go back and OBHS will help her.

What if travel to an outside therapist is difficult?

If there is a problem getting to a therapist appointment, please get in touch with OBHS.

Please submit your questions or comments directly to Dr. Philippa Coughlan.  (Please note that your email is not "anonymous")