Services Offered Free to Registered BHSU Students:
- Individual Counseling
- Success Coaching and Wellness Programming
- Select Group Counseling Services / Support Groups
- Drug and Alcohol Education (CHOICES Program)
- Individual - Short term
- Individual - weekly, biweekly or monthly
- In-person, Tele-health, or via Telephone (student's preference)
- Group Counseling
- Medication
- Referrals
OPTIONS Program:
What is OPTIONS? OPTIONS is Black Hills State University’s alcohol/drug abuse psychoeducation
program. This program is based on an educational and harm reduction approach. The
intention is to engage students in a self-reflective process, in a non-judgmental
environment, where they may notice substance-use behaviors, contemplate whether a
change is desired, and be given new knowledge to help create a personal plan. (If
sanctioned by the University for a drug or alcohol violation a fee may be incurred.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Should I Consider Counseling?
Students come to counseling for a variety of reasons, including stress, feeling uncomfortable
around others, loneliness, academic concerns, relationship issues, personal growth,
trauma recovery, and more. If you’re facing challenges like feeling overwhelmed, struggling
with eating habits, feeling isolated, dealing with a breakup, or wanting to learn
more about yourself, counseling may be a good fit for you.
If you recognize yourself in any of the following situations—feeling stressed, alone,
unhappy with your appearance, worried about substance use, concerned about a friend,
or unsure about continuing school—counseling can help you navigate these challenges.
What Should I Expect During My First Counseling Visit?
At your first visit, you’ll complete a brief intake form that includes background
information and privacy consent. The session typically lasts up to 50 minutes. You
and your counselor will begin developing a personalized action plan tailored to your
needs.
Most students work with the same counselor for the duration of their counseling, unless
otherwise specified. You’re encouraged to find the counselor who fits your needs best.
You can arrange sessions weekly, biweekly, monthly, or as needed, depending on your
preferences and needs. Your counselor will help you determine the best schedule after
your initial consultation.
Yes, all scheduling and counseling sessions are conducted privately, and your information
is handled with strict confidentiality.
Black Hills State University Counseling Center
Notice of Privacy Practices
Effective Date: April 13, 2004
PDF Version
This notice describes how health information about you may be used and disclosed and
how you can get access to this information.
PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
Purpose
We are required to provide you with this Notice of Privacy Practices and to explain
our legal duties under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act (HIPAA). We are required by law to maintain the privacy of medical information
about you. We call this “protected health information” (PHI).
We are required to give you notice of our privacy practices about your PHI and required
to follow the terms of the notice currently in effect.
This Notice of Privacy Practices will tell you how we may use or disclose information
about you. Not all situations will be described. In the future we may change the Notice
of Privacy Practices. Any changes will apply to information we already have and any
information we receive in the future. A copy of the new notice will be posted, and
provided to individuals as required by law.
You may request a copy of the current notice at any time at the Counseling Center
Office (W214).
How We May Use and Disclose PHI about You without Your Authorization
For Treatment: We may use or disclose PHI about you with health care providers who are involved
in your health care. For example, information may be shared to create and carry out
a plan for your treatment.
For Payment: We may use or disclose PHI about you to get payment for health care services you
receive. For example, we may provide PHI to your health plan for health care or prescriptions
provided to you.
For Health Care Operations: We may use or disclose PHI about you to support the management of services. For example,
we may use PHI about you to review the quality of services you receive.
Other Ways We Might Use or Disclose PHI about You without Your Authorization
- Health Oversight Activities. We may disclose PHI for oversight activities authorized
by law including audits, licensure or disciplinary actions.
- As Required by Law and for Law Enforcement Activities. We will use and disclose PHI
about you when required or permitted by federal or state law or by a court order.
- For Abuse Reports and Investigations. We are required by law to report any allegations
of child abuse or neglect.
- To Avoid Harm. We may disclose PHI about you to law enforcement in order to avoid
a serious threat to the health and safety of a person or the public.
- Decedents. We may disclose PHI to a coroner or medical examiner to identify a deceased
person, determine cause of death, or other duties imposed by law.
- Research. We may use PHI about you for studies and to develop reports. These reports
will not identify specific people.
- Business Associates. We may disclose your PHI to our business associates with whom
we have contracted services. We require that all of our business associates agree
to appropriately safeguard your PHI.
Other Uses and Disclosures Require Your Written Authorization.
We will ask for your written authorization before using or disclosing PHI about you.
You may cancel this authorization at any time in writing, or by other appropriate
means of communication if necessary. We cannot take back any uses or disclosures already
made with your authorization.
Your PHI Privacy Rights
- Right to See and Get Copies of your PHI. In most cases, you have the right to look
at or get copies of your PHI. You must make the request in writing. You may be charged
a fee for the cost of copying and mailing the PHI to you.
- Right to Request to Correct or Update Your PHI. You may ask us to change or add missing
PHI if you think there is a mistake. You must make the request in writing and provide
a reason for your request. However, there are conditions under which we may deny this
request.
- Right to Get a List of Disclosures. You have the right to ask us for a list of disclosures
made after April 13, 2004 and up to six years prior to the date you made the request.
You must make the request in writing. This list will not include the times that PHI
about you was disclosed for treatment, payment or health care operations. This list
will not include PHI about you provided directly to you or your family or PHI that
you authorized.
- Right to Request Limits on Uses or Disclosures of Your PHI. You have the right to
ask us to limit how PHI about you is used or disclosed. You must make the request
in writing and tell us what PHI you want to limit and to whom you want the limits
to apply. We are not required to agree to the restriction. You can request restrictions
to be terminated in writing or verbally.
- Right to Revoke Permission. If you are asked to sign an authorization to use or disclose
PHI about you, you can cancel that authorization at any time. You must make the request
in writing. This will not affect PHI that has already been shared.
- Right to Choose How We Communicate With You. You have the right to ask us to share
your PHI with you in a certain way or in a certain place. For example, you may ask
us to send PHI about you to your work address instead of your home address. You must
make this request in writing. You do not have to explain the basis for your request.
- Right to File a Complaint. You have the right to file a complaint if you do not agree
with how we have used or disclosed PHI about you.
- Right to Request a Paper Copy of This Notice. You have the right to ask for a paper
copy of this notice at any time.
How to File a Complaint or Report a Problem
You may contact the SHCS Privacy Officer and the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Office of Civil Rights if you want to file a complaint or to report a problem
in how we have used or disclosed your PHI. Your services will not be affected by any
complaints you make. We cannot retaliate against you for filing a complaint.
Contacts
Director of Counseling Center - Rebecka Funk, LPC-MH, CAASt
1200 University St. Unit 9519 Spearfish, SD 57799-9519
Office Phone: 605.642.6520 ext 1255
Fax: 605.642.6194
Department of Health and Human Services
1961 Stout St. - Room 1185 FOB Denver, CO 80294-3538
Voice Phone: 303.844.2024
TTD: 303.844.3439
Fax: 303.844.2025
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