The Counseling Center/Disability Services recognizes the supportive role families play for students. We strive to help students make the transition to adulthood and independence. We provide an opportunity for students to develop skills and identify resources necessary for addressing emotional or disability related issues after graduation. This transition is nurtured and encouraged when the student receives consistent messages that she has the ability to negotiate obstacles by utilizing available resources.

Occasionally a student’s family will attempt to assist her by contacting the Counseling Center/Disability Services office for her. While we welcome questions and can provide general information, confidentiality laws protect the privacy of all communications between a client and a therapist and we are often limited in the information we are able to share with families without the student's written authorization. In an effort to protect your student’s confidentiality we may not be able to provide you with information about your student. If you contact us with concerns, we will make every effort to contact your student to follow up with her.

Our focus is on the student and in assisting her in addressing her concerns as well as improving her communication with her family, faculty and peers. This process empowers the student and allows her to take responsibility for her own wellbeing and success. We recognize that it can be frustrating for a family to be told that we must work directly with the student. However, your role of encouraging your student to access resources on campus is essential in her growth toward independence and adulthood.

With regard to Disability Services in post-secondary settings, it is the student’s responsibility to request disability accommodations, if she desires them. While this is a legal requirement, it is consistent with our philosophy to empower students to advocate for themselves as they prepare for the transition to life after graduation. Being able to request accommodations and play an interactive role in addressing disability related issues is a valuable skill in self-advocacy. For this reason we must work directly with students to arrange accommodations and other disability related services.

Additionally, faculty and staff are only able to provide accommodations after they have received written notification from our office. If your student has disability-related concerns about a particular class, please encourage her to contact the professor or our office so that we may assist her in resolving the situation.

For information about the Meredith College's Expectations for Parents and Families, please visit the link below

Meredith and Families- A Partnership for Success