White Paper: A Multidimensional Understanding of Effective University and College Counseling Center Organizational Structures

ABSTRACT

Established in 1950, the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors (AUCCCD) is an international organization comprising universities and colleges (https://www.aucccd.org). AUCCCD members are the higher education leaders for student mental health. Our members represent a wide range of professional disciplines, public and private institutions, and a range of institutional student enrollment sizes. This white paper: (a) provides a historical background on counseling and mental health services on college campuses; (b) argues that, based on current research, there is no single organizational structure that is optimal; (c) makes recommendations about factors to consider when making decisions about the counseling center that are based on specific campus needs and resources rather than a preferred organizational structure; and (d) advocates for a collaborative care model regardless of organizational structure.

KEYWORDS:

• Organizational structure
• service delivery models
• integrated care
• college students
• collaborative care

Acknowledgments

This white paper has been approved by the AUCCCD Governing Board.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.