Counseling Services: Policies and Procedures
Who is Elegible
If you are a currently enrolled/registered DACC student registered for one or more courses on the DACC Central, Sunland Park Educational Center, Gadsden Educational Center, East Mesa or any of DACC campuses, you are eligible for FREE Counseling Services.
Privacy and Confidentiality
The state of New Mexico legally recognizes that communication between a counselor and student is privileged. Information shared will not be disclosed to anyone without the student’s consent. The counseling staff works as a team. Your counselor may consult with other counseling staff to provide the best possible care.
Exceptions to Confidentiality
Staffs are legally required to report to the authorities responsible to ensure safety if:
- you are in imminent danger to yourself or are a significant danger to someone else
- you are abusing children or vulnerable adults or inform us concerning someone who is doing so
- records are subpoenaed in instances such as a court order issued by a judge requiring release of information.
Scheduling the Initial Visit
The first visit is an opportunity for you to tell us about yourself and your goals for counseling. We will help you clarify these goals and together begin to plan what types of assistance would be most appropriate. When we schedule an appointment, we will ask you to complete an intake form. You can find the form on the Counseling Services web site, http://dacc.nmsu.edu/SS/Counseling/. Please fill out all the material with which you are comfortable. You can arrange counseling sessions on the DACC Central campus, 527-7548 or through the Student Services Specialist on the Sunland Park, 874-7787, East Mesa, 528-7045 or Gadsden Educational Centers, 882-6809.
Evaluation and Long-term Services
Psychological evaluation, diagnosis and long-term treatment can be arranged for those students in need of such services. These services are FREE and can be arranged through referral to the NMSU Student Health Center. Charges for any medical exams or prescriptions generated at the Student Health Center are the students’ responsibility.
The Staff
It is the counselor’s desire to provide students of DACC with the highest quality professional services. There are two professional counselors licensed by the state of New Mexico. Each year we are involved in ongoing professional development to maintain the highest professional standards.
Crisis Services
Counselors are available to assist students who are experiencing a crisis situation in emergencies between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Alternative and/or after- hours services include;
- Southwest Counseling Center 24-hour crisis line at 526‑3371,
- Southern New Mexico Human Development 24-hour crisis line at 882-5101,
- La Piñon for sexual assault issues at 526‑3437,
- La Casa (shelter for battered women and children) at 526‑9513; or,
- Memorial Medical Center for emergency services at 521‑2286.
Student Rights
- To be treated with respect and consideration
- To be informed about your counselor’s credentials and training
- To ask questions about counseling procedures, approaches and methods
- To discuss concerns about your counseling experience
- To review your file with your counselor
- To work with another counselor
- To obtain appropriate referral for services beyond the scope of DACC Counseling Services
- To stop counseling at any point
- To report a grievance to the Coordinator or the Campus Student Services Officer.
Student Responsibilities
- To discuss any concerns you have regarding our services with your counselor or the Coordinator, Counseling and Disabled Student Services
- To notify us 24 hours in advance when canceling appointments
Counselor Rights
- We expect to be treated with respect and consideration
- We reserve the right to refer students to the NMSU Student Health Center or off campus community services for evaluation and long term services
- We reserve the right to consult with your counselor or practitioner at the NMSU Student Health Center when professionally appropriate
- We reserve the right to discontinue services
