FREEBIE: Authorization for Release of Health Information
This is an template of a generic HIPAA form that a young adult can complete before enrolling in college. By filling this out, the young adult hopes that any provider will accept and honor this signed release. Although some people may accept it, it’s important to anticipate that it will be met with resistance. Most clinical practices, including any office on a college campus, will go the extra mile to have the student additionally sign a release on their own letterhead forms. It’s redundant, and it’s also how most places will cover their ass. It’s still nice to have this signed and available to share.
If you download and use this release, but you aren’t finding luck getting anyone on-campus to speak with you about your child’s health, schedule a time to talk with me. I might be able to give you some suggestions.
xx
Joanna
FREEBIE: Consulting vs. Coaching Download
Let’s face it, we get asked this all the time. Whether you’re a Coach getting asked to help provide names of Programs to recommend for a child, or whether you’re a Consultant being pulled into a nightly phone call to talk through what to say, how to say it, and when to say it; we are getting pulled into lanes we may not feel comfortable riding in. This document was designed with parents in mind to help understand clearly what a Coach is, and what a Therapeutic Consultant is. Yes, there are some Consultants who will do coaching, but that’s not the majority.
This document was a collaboration of love alongside the new owners of Parent Coach Professionals - Colin Cass and Mary Hickey. We were strictly trying to demystify and better understand the difference between these those professions, and how one might be the right type of professional that you need now. We collectively hope you find this document to be of value, and helps clarify any questions you have about the differences (or similarities) when it comes to these professionals.
If after reading this document you still aren’t certain which of these resources is best for you, feel free to schedule a time to talk with me.
xx
Joanna
FREEBIE: Example Professional Letter of Support for Retroactive Withdrawal (or other appeal)
This freebie is a follow-up to the Professional Letter of Support Guidelines download. For those professionals who need to see an example, and not just read through the guidelines, this download is for you! This is an example of a letter of support from a professional. This is a real letter that I took from my time working in higher education; but blocking out identifying information.
This example can be use for a treating mental health provider, or any additional professional who was connected to the student during the semester they are applying for a Retroactive Withdrawal. Most colleges will want to only see a letter from a medical or mental health providers. I do believe, however, that if there is another professional who can provide supplemental support - key word professional - than I would defer to the student if it made sense to submit that as well in their appeal.
If after reading this document you still aren’t certain you sure you have extenuating circumstances that would approve of a Retroactive Withdrawal, feel free to schedule a time to talk with me. Or if you are a professional and want to discuss whether or not your letter of support would truly help a student’s case, feel free to contact me.
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Joanna
FREEBIE: Professional Letter of Support Guidelines for Retroactive Withdrawal
This is a brief resource guide for mental health professionals or other professionals asked to write a letter of support for a college student who is applying for a retroactive withdrawal. Most students who are seeking this out were dealing with significant extenuating circumstances that made it impossible for them to be successful on a college campus. Every college or university is different in what they require of a student when they submit an appeal. Typically, they are looking for at least one professional who knew and knows the students to be able to speak on their behalf.
This document is meant to be a guideline for helping any professional who’s been asked to help, ensure that their letter of support helps the student, and doesn’t detract from their appeal. I have seen it before where a student’s appeal is denied because the letter of support is being questioned for authenticity because it lacks a professional format. This guide will help you to focus on the important details.
If after reading this document you aren’t sure if you can write a letter of support for a current or previous client and you want consultation on the matter, feel free to schedule a time to talk with me.
xx
Joanna
FREEBIE: Retroactive Withdrawal Guidelines for College Students
Let’s start with what a retroactive withdrawal even is. First, not every college offers this as a withdrawal option, so I encourage you to do a little recon to see if it’s possible at your institution. The withdrawal itself is an appeal process where you submit a personal statement describing extenuating circumstances that happened to you during a semester (or several semesters), detailing how you were unable to withdrawal by the withdrawal deadlines. Additionally, you will be asked to provide documentation of extenuating circumstances. Most colleges or universities will limit extenuating circumstances to serious medical complications, or death in the family. Some are becoming more empathetic to the mental health struggles of students. Regardless, this is a process for the student to submit after-the-fact of the semester where they received F’s on their transcript.
Note: this is a comprehensive guideline for college students, not parents of college students. This is for students to read and understand before writing a personal statement and/or submitting any paperwork for a retroactive withdrawal. If you are a parent who is looking for guidance around helping your child submit a retroactive withdrawal, this guide will be helpful for you to share with them. It is on the student to complete and submit their own appeal. I cannot emphasize that enough. It is not appropriate for a parent to submit this on behalf of their child. Please along your child to take the lead on submitting their own appeal.
If after reading this document you still aren’t certain you sure you have extenuating circumstances that would approve of a Retroactive Withdrawal, feel free to schedule a time to talk with me.
xx
Joanna
FREEBIE: Psychiatric Advanced Directive Guide for Parents of College Students
This is a guide for any high school Senior who has any psychiatric history about to enroll on campus, or for any current college student who took a break from school to seek mental health treatment that is taking steps to return. Proactively following these steps to create an Advanced Directive will help the student, the family, and subsequently all on-campus and off-campus providers for the “what if” anything reemerges.
If you are a parent of a first-time college student, it’s imperative for you to understand privacy laws prior to your child enrolling in college. For those of you who may have experienced a mental health crisis with your child on campus, and learned first hand how HIPAA can limit your ability to support your child - it’s important for you to refresh your memory. Regardless of the student status of first-year or returning, you will want to work together to create a plan to not restrict communication between you (as a parent), your child (who is seen as an adult), and any providers working to help them during a crisis.
Curious what an Advanced Directive looks like? Or how you can go about getting one set up? Download the link below as a free resource to you.
If after reading this document you want to speak with someone about the Psychiatric Advanced Directive process, feel free to schedule a time to talk with me.
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Joanna
FREEBIE: Mental Health Resource Guide for Parents of College Students
This is a brief resource guide geared towards parents of soon-to-be college students. Not just any soon-to-be student, but rather those who have had treatment history or are working with outpatient providers now regarding any minor (or major) mental health struggles. This is actually very common right now. More young people are wrestling with anxiety and depression than ever before. We need to normalize that it’s okay to come up with a plan before going to college - hence this guide.
You will find recommended timelines and steps-to-take prior to enrolling on a college campus. This is rather high-level, and it’s a good start for a parent who isn’t sure who they need to be contacting, or when.
“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
Use this as a starting point to figure out what’s going to be necessary for your child.
If after reading this document you are wanting supporting in finding some outpatient resources for your college student near their college campus, feel free to schedule a time to talk with me.
xx
Joanna