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Counseling Services

SJC requires individuals seeking accommodations for a psychological or psychiatric disability to follow these guidelines in order for the College to make sound decisions and provide appropriate services:

1. To provide accommodations to students with psychological or psychiatric disabilities, the College requires that a student provide verification of his/her disability prior to or at the time that services are requested.

2. A comprehensive written evaluation must have been completed within the past six months. Telephone calls and/or brief letters that document past or ongoing treatment are not sufficient. Evaluators should have experience with a college-age population. Appropriate evaluators include psychologists, psychiatrists, and other licensed mental health professionals. The comprehensive evaluation should include the following:

a. A dated multi-axial DSM-IV diagnosis.

b. Psychological testing results used to support the diagnosis.

c. A summary of treatment (as it relates to the disability and the need for accommodations).

d. Current psychotropic medications (including dosage).

e. An evaluation of ability to function in a demanding college environment that requires independent, social functioning.

f. Recommendations for continued treatment.

g. Recommendations for academic and other accommodations. Each recommended accommodation should include a detailed explanation of its relevance to the disability that is diagnosed. The evaluator should also indicate the level at which the individual is currently functioning with the benefit of treatment.

h. The time period for which academic accommodations are recommended.

3. A student may be asked to meet with the Director of Counseling Services to clarify information contained in the above described evaluation.

4. Academic accommodations for students with psychological disabilities are usually granted for an academic semester.

5. Students must authorize the release of a written report containing all of the above information to the Director of Counseling Services before consideration of academic accommodations can begin.