Search

Instructors Aren't Therapists

Dear Faculty Relations: Students sometimes express a lot of emotion. My office hours are starting to feel like an extended therapy session and to be frank, I’m exhausted. Am I doing this right? —Not a Licensed Social Worker 

Dear Not an LSW: You are not alone, dear reader, in wondering about your role in addressing student mental health. Some people are predisposed to mental health issues. Also, systemic concerns including trauma, race, gender, socioeconomic status and other stressors of the current moment can exacerbate student (and faculty!) mental health.  

According to Coleman (2022), research points out good reasons against you acting as a therapist. For one thing, you aren’t trained to do this work, and for another, you have enough on your plate without taking on extra emotional labor. Faculty are busy enough! What can be done to limit your own burnout while still supporting student success?  

Clinicians at CU Boulder’s Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) have developed the Scaffolded Mental Health Support Model to answer this question. In short, students have different levels of mental wellness that require different responses from instructors. Familiarizing yourself with this model can help you understand best practices regarding setting boundaries to protect your own time while helping your students succeed. Also consider the following: 

  • Make it clear at the beginning of the semester what you can and cannot do, both verbally and in your syllabus. 
  • Encourage students to come to you to make a plan ASAP if they are struggling in class. 
  • Proactively approach students if you notice absences, disruptions, or unusual behaviors, with the goal of referring them to CAPS. 
  • Remember that it’s okay to gently interrupt students when they’re sharing too much medical or personal information. Remind them of your role (to help them succeed in the class), and where they can go to talk about their concerns (CAPS). 
  • If you're unsure, call CAPS and ask to consult with a clinician.  

In sum, you’re not a licensed social worker and you don’t need to be. Let CAPS help you and your students. 

Written by Katy Barnes, LPC, Assistant Director of Crisis Services, Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS).

Have a Question?

Do you have a question for Dear Faculty Relations? Ask us using the form below and we will try to get it answered in future newsletters!

Submit a Question