Duplication of Service

In accord with sound ethical practice, Counselling Services will not provide personal counselling or psychotherapy to someone actively receiving such care elsewhere.  This is intended to avoid duplication of service, possible conflict in approach, confusion for clients, and reduced clinical effectiveness.

The potential for reduced effectiveness or even harm to clients from overlapping treatment efforts is self-evident, especially in a field like counselling where therapeutic approaches may not be entirely compatible.  Clients should be allowed to choose whichever service seems most promising to them, within their practical constraints of cost, location and time.  Laurier students who wish to switch from professional care elsewhere to our service may certainly do so, though we would not encourage anyone to terminate a previously helpful relationship without careful consideration.

This policy does not restrict our provision of services that are clearly distinct from or complementary with services already provided elsewhere.  For example, we may offer counselling for emotional issues when a client’s psychiatrist or physician is monitoring prescribed medications but not providing psychotherapy or counselling as well.

If a student receiving therapy/counselling elsewhere presents to us in immediate personal crisis, we would naturally assist with emergency consultation and referral, as circumstances dictate.  However, we are not a primary crisis care centre in any event, especially for repeat use or ongoing support when a primary therapist elsewhere is responsible for continuing care.