The Wellness Center is a free, non-judgmental, confidential place for information, conversation and referrals about mental and physical health-related topics, including general health and safety, HIV/AIDS, sexual health, sexual harassment and assault, LGBTQ+ issues, nutrition, stress management, smoking cessation, body image, and contraception.
The LGBTQ+ community is diverse, with specific wellness needs. As it is for anyone, we believe it’s important for LGBTQ+ individuals to receive accurate health information and competent services that are tailored to their specific needs.
The Wellness Center strives to offer gender affirming services by providing:
- All gender bathrooms
- Self-identifying sexuality and gender identity intake forms
- Asking students their name and pronouns at each visit
- Continued education and training for all staff at the Wellness Center
Clinical services for LGBTQ+ students include:
- Physical health care
- Psychological, physical, and psychiatric evaluations
- Individual, group, and couple’s therapy
- Letters of support for students pursuing gender reassignment medical procedures
- Ongoing support for transgender individuals before, during, and after transitions
Electronic Records: The Wellness Center utilizes two separate record keeping systems for counseling and health. We apologize for asking the same information twice if you see us for health care and for counseling. Both of our record systems are completely independent from the College so your health information is never connected to your academic information.
Health Appointments
When you enter the Wellness Center you’ll see the reception window directly ahead. Walk up to the window to let the Office Associate know you are there for a health appointment. The Office Associate will ask for your SMCM ID number. Once you share the ID number you will be asked to tell us your name and pronouns.
NOTE: If you are walking in to request an appointment you may be asked what type of appointment. Please note that we are asking whether you need counseling or health appointments. You do not need to share the details of why you are seeking an appointment with the receptionist.
Our electronic records allow us to enter the name and pronouns you use even if they change often. We will ask you to confirm your name and pronouns at every visit. Every person who interacts with you will see the name and pronouns you shared at that visit.
NOTE: We may need to know your legal name to access insurance payment. The Wellness Center does not charge for visits but if we order lab tests or a prescription you could incur expenses that are covered by insurance and we want to be sure we bill for your insurance coverage correctly.
If you prefer not to wait with others in the waiting room please ask the Office Associate if you can wait in a more private area.
The medical assistant will call your name in the waiting room and walk you back to one of our two examination rooms. Your vital signs such as pulse, blood pressure, and temperature will be recorded in your record. You may be asked about why you made the appointment or asked to share additional information if needed.
Counseling Appointments
When you enter the Wellness Center you’ll see the reception window directly ahead. Walk up to the window to let the Office Associate know you are there for a counseling appointment. The Office Associate will ask for your SMCM ID number. Once you share the ID number you will be asked to tell us your name and pronouns. If you have not attended a counseling appointment at the Wellness Center in the past the Office Associate will ask you a series of questions to complete the data fields of our electronic records. You may update your name, pronouns, address, and phone number as often as you’d like.
We direct students to a computer-based intake assessment. You DO NOT have to tell the person at the front desk why you are seeking counseling. You will have the opportunity to share your concerns on the computer form. The information you provide on the computer intake and/or assessment is sent directly to your personal record in our system and can be reviewed by the counselor you will see that day.
Your counselor will call you from the waiting room and walk you back to the counseling room. We use sound machines and always close the doors during counseling sessions to maintain privacy. Information you share in counseling is confidential. We are not required to report most information shared in counseling sessions. We are not mandated Title IX reporters which means you can talk to us about possible sexual misconduct or assault on campus and we will not make report to Title IX. We may ask if you’d like to make a report and set up an appointment with our sexual assault advocate.
There are times when counselors are required to break confidentiality. If there is a situation that could result in imminent harm we are required to get help for people. If a student makes threats of violence or brings a weapon into the Wellness Center we will contact Public Safety and local law enforcement. If a student states they feel suicidal we will create a safety plan that may involved transport to the local hospital for a behavioral health psychiatric assessment.