Counseling Center

Counseling Center Mission Statement

We strive to enhance the psychological well-being of students by providing an affirming, confidential, equitable, and safe environment encouraging self-exploration, reflection, and resiliency. With a commitment to a developmental approach enhanced by a social justice lens, we aim to facilitate individual empowerment and growth through meaningful, healthy relationships and community collaboration.

Counseling Center Diversity Statement

Roger Williams University highlights diversity in one of its five identified core values. As members of the university community, we too endeavor to recognize and appreciate the diversity that exists amongst all of us. In our Center this means we honor all individual differences which include, but is not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, national origin, religion/spirituality, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, and socioeconomic status. This also means that we ourselves are an imperfect, “work in progress” in acknowledging our own assumptions and in striving to continuously learn more about the human condition. This is manifested by our openness to receive feedback and our nurturance of growth and learning for ourselves and others we interact with.

Our views are firmly rooted within a social justice perspective. We recognize that the effects of privilege, oppression, discrimination, stereotypes, and bias are pervasive within individual, systemic, and societal levels. These forces can have profound and harmful influences on student well-being. We strive to be a supportive presence to provide empathic listening, empowerment, and advocacy to mitigate those effects. One of our most important considerations is to minimize potential barriers so all students receive the respect, care, and treatment that they deserve, both within the Center and within the broader university community.

Resources for Black people

Contemporary self-care tips for Black people

7 Mental Health Resources for Black People

44 Additional Resources for Black People

Meditation App for the Black Community

Resources for Allies

Direct actions you can take as an Ally

Anti-racism Education for White People

75 Actions White People Can Take Right Now 

Resources for Everyone

Coping Strategies

On-campus Support

The Intercultural Center

The Center for Academic Success

Why is confidentiality so important?

When deciding whether or not to see a counselor, students often wonder if their privacy will be protected.  In order to share your private thoughts and feelings, it is necessary to trust that what you say will be kept between you and your counselor.

It is important for you to know that any records of your visit to the Counseling Center do not become part of your academic record/transcripts, nor are they made available to administrators, faculty, or staff of the university outside of the Counseling Center. No one, including your family members, has access to your counseling attendance or records.

May I choose to break confidentiality?

In the legal sense, "confidentiality" is something that binds the mental health professional from making disclosure about a client's visit. However, you as a client may talk to whomever you wish about your own counseling experience. From time to time, you may decide that you want to talk about your counseling with a family member or a close friend. That is fully your decision.

Occasionally, situations arise when it might be beneficial to have your counselor provide information or speak to a third party about you. If such a situation occurs, you or your counselor may bring this up for discussion during your meeting together. As you and your counselor consider the potential benefits and disadvantages about sharing this information, you will be better able to make an informed decision.

If you both agree that it would be beneficial for your counselor to do so, you will be asked to sign an authorization to release and to share the information with an outside party. The laws which govern our services require us to "obtain your informed and written consent."

The information to be disclosed may be comprehensive or limited to a specific purpose which fits the situation. No matter who they are for, all consents are in writing, specify who will receive the information, describe what information is to be shared and require your signature.

The Counseling Center follows this requirement with everyone, including your family members, university staff, as well as former or future counselors. You have the right to refuse to provide consent, or to revoke it once it is given.

Are there any limitations or exceptions to confidentiality?

There are three important exceptions to confidentiality that all counselors in our Center must follow. These exceptions are part of Rhode Island state law and cannot be altered by Roger Williams University or by the Counseling Center.

The first exception concerns protection from imminent harm. If your counselor believes you to be at imminent risk to seriously harm or kill yourself or someone else, the counselor may take actions to protect you or others, even at the expense of your confidentiality.

Second, if your counselor becomes aware that a child (minor) or elder is being abused or neglected, they may take steps to protect that child or elder, which may involve sharing information that you had previously shared with the counselor.

The third exception is that if your records is requested by court order, those records may be shared with the court. This is an extremely rare occurrence.

While all counselors are legally and ethically mandated to follow these guidelines, every effort is made to inform you of your rights and to protect your privacy to the fullest extent possible under the law. If you have any questions or concerns about confidentiality, please ask your counselor or the Interim Director for clarification.