Meeting the Demand for College Student Concerns in College Counseling Centers: Evaluating a Clinical Triage System

Abstract

University counseling centers, experiencing an imbalance between student demand and available resources, respond in various ways. The current mixed-method study evaluated one university counseling center transitioning from a wait-list system to a triage method of managing demand. Significant reductions in wait time and increase in attendance were found. Clients also reported significantly less distress after triage implementation. No reduction in wait time or increase in symptom severity were found for crisis clients. Qualitative methods assessed staff perceptions of triage, suggesting staff was satisfied with triage because of clinically informed scheduling and increased efficiency.

Keywords:

• college students
• counseling
• intake
• psychotherapy
• triage