Embedded Student Counseling Services: Insights From Veterinary Mental Health Practitioners

Abstract

Embedded university counseling services are becoming more common, but there has been limited discussion regarding practices and challenges associated with developing and sustaining them. In this article, we discuss the application of innovative embedded models to meet the mental health needs of professional students in colleges of veterinary medicine. We also consider implications for establishing and providing embedded counseling services for other student populations.

The work of college counseling centers in the early 21st century.

“…As of 2021, 21% of counseling centers have an embedded counselor program (Gorman et al, 2020). Embedded counselor programs result in easier access to services, reduce stigma regarding help-seeking, address concerns of a particular student population, and promote an increased focus on wellness (Banks, 2020b; Karaffa et al, 2020; Schreier et al, 2023).…”

Embedding technology-assisted parenting interventions in real-world settings to empower parents of children with adverse childhood experiences: A co-design study. (Preprint)

“…Overall, these findings are consistent with the "Supportive Accountability" model, which predicts intervention engagement can be enhanced when eHealth interventions include a coach who is perceived as: trustworthy and benevolent, willing to involve people in defining goals and expectations, minimises negative consequences of perfunctory adherence, and frames performance monitoring as devoid of negative consequences [62]. Prior research has demonstrated that service users appreciate practitioners' willingness to engage in conversations that foster empathy [63], and that embedding relational strategies such as micro-coaching into existing points of contact is especially important for enhancing underserved communities' trust and engagement with services [64]. Overall, microcoaching exemplifies how existing staff resources can be leveraged to promote the use of evidencebased parenting support by those both delivering or receiving such support.…”