The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 37, No. 2 - 19

Training RAs to Make Referrals

and RAs need as much information from their residents as possible in order to make the most appropriate referrals. In terms of public image concerns, MacGeorge et al. addressed the need for advice givers to be mindful of the style they

In the case of RAs making referrals for counseling, they need to be sensitive to the idea that residents could feel disappointed or rejected after the idea of the referral is presented . RAs can directly communicate the idea that counseling is a positive, valuable, and strong action that the resident would be taking to take care of him/herself.

where responsibility for referrals routinely falls to professional staff or graduate level staff, their training should include the following. To begin, it is important to remain calm, encourage the expression of feelings, and be an active participant in the conversation (Grosz, 1990). A close relationship with the resident (such as the RA has) will help facilitate these behaviors. Rather than offering the referral at the beginning of the conversation, RAs should initially provide emotional support, which is critical to creating an environment that will be conducive to subsequent problem solving and advice giving (Burleson & Goldsmith, 1998). Boswinkel (1986) recommends approaching the topic of a referral in a casual and noncommittal manner. RAs (or professional/ graduate staff) could initially share their concern for the resident and indicate the observations they have made that have led them to be concerned. They could then explain that people with similar struggles have often found support and benefit from the process of counseling. Boswinkel particularly recommends not using the term “psychotherapy,” and we agree with his recommendation. Counseling is a more general term that is less clinical sounding and may more accurately represent the services that the resident needs. Following this initial mention of the idea of referral, RAs (or professional/graduate staff) could then offer accurate information to the resident about counseling, while emphasizing the active and empowering nature of the act of seeking help. It is important to monitor the resident’s reaction and to gently address facial expressions or gestures that may suggest discomfort with the topic. At this point, specific information regarding the counseling-related
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use in offering advice. More specifically, advice givers need to communicate their belief in the recipient’s competence and autonomy. In the case of RAs making referrals for counseling, they need to be sensitive to the idea that residents could feel disappointed or rejected (Cheston, 1991) after the idea of the referral is presented. RAs can directly communicate the idea that counseling is a positive, valuable, and strong action that the resident would be taking to take care of him/herself. In housing systems where RAs are likely to make referrals to counseling in certain situations, training does need to provide them with specific recommendations and skills relevant to the actual moment of referral. In systems

The Journal of College and University Student Housing - Volume 37, No. 2

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