University of Akron’s Psychology Department Counseling Clinic

Clients

Eligibility for Services

Due to our role as a training clinic, we do not provide services to clients who are under the age of 18, actively suicidal, actively experiencing psychotic symptoms, court-referred, seeking couple’s or family therapy, or actively abusing substances or recently released from inpatient substance abuse treatment.  Additionally, we do not allow parents, other family members, or friends to make appointments on behalf of someone else.  If you are uncertain whether you meet these criteria, please call us, and our clinic secretary will be happy to help.

Common Concerns That We See

• Anxiety
• Identity Development
• Coping with Prejudice / Discrimination
• Academic Concerns
• Family Conflict
• Chronic Illness
• Sleep Problems
• Depression
• School / Work Stress
• Relationship and Sexual Concerns
• Eating Concerns and Body Image
• Career and Vocational Exploration
• Life Transitions
• Trauma and Abuse
• Self-Esteem
• … and many more …

Client Rights and Responsibilities

Clients at this clinic have a right to…

• be informed of the education and experience of your therapist and their supervisor.
• participate in the development of your treatment plan.
• participate in the evaluation of your progress towards treatment goals.
• receive an explanation of services offered by our clinic.
• not participate in any treatment without your informed consent.
• object to, or terminate, treatment.
• access your treatment records.
• be informed of the scope of expertise of your therapist.
• be treated in a manner that is ethical and free from abuse, mistreatment, and/or exploitation.
• receive services without discrimination due to ability/disability status, age, citizenship or immigration status, language, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
• receive a copy of the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct to which our therapists adhere.
• be treated by staff who are sensitive to your personal and cultural identity and background.
• present a complaint, knowing that your care will not be compromised in any way. If you have a problem concerning your care that you cannot solve with your therapist, you have a right to speak to your therapist’s supervisor
• be informed of expected results of all treatments, including their possible adverse effects.
• have records protected by confidentiality consistent with ethical and legal obligations.

Clients at this clinic have a responsibility to…

• arrive to all appointments on time. If you are more than 15 minutes late, without notice, your therapist may not be able accommodate your appointment.  All appointments will end on time, regardless of start time, to accommodate other clients.
• keep your scheduled appointments and let our staff know as soon as possible if you must cancel or reschedule one (at least 24-hour notice is requested, except in an emergency).
• participate actively, collaboratively, and honestly in treatment.
• follow through on treatment recommendations.
• ensure that you are not under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, and/or behaving in a way that makes delivery of service difficult or dangerous.
• tell your therapist if you object to any intervention or if you feel uncomfortable in the therapeutic relationship.
• inform your therapist if you are considering ending therapy for any reason.
• end your work with us in a “termination session,” where you and your therapist will review the work you’ve done in therapy and your progress towards your treatment goals. This way, you can share and discuss with your therapist what was useful and what could have been improved.
• attend a “discharge appointment” if you and/or your therapist decide to end therapy.
• terminate therapy with another counselor before beginning therapy at our clinic, or vice versa.
• express concern directly to your therapist or your therapist’s supervisor if you are dissatisfied with services. 

If you need help understanding these rights or responsibilities, our clinic staff will happily provide assistance.

Non-Discrimination Policy

The University of Akron’s Psychology Department Counseling Clinic welcomes clients from all backgrounds and is committed to a policy of non-discrimination.  The clinic does not discriminate in its services, policies, or activities on the basis of real or perceived sexual orientation or identity, current sex, sex assigned at birth, gender identity, gender expression, HIV status, physical or mental ability, age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, religion, political opinion, military status, veteran or military discharge status, socioeconomic status, marital or relationship status, or parental status.