BASICS

Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students or BASICS is a two-session intervention program that uses motivation interviewing and psycho education to help students engage in harm reduction for consequences related to alcohol or other substance use.

Students may be mandated by CSSR to complete the program if they violate the university’s alcohol or drug policies. 

Follow These Steps

1. Complete intake paperwork (appx. 15 minutes)
   • Must be submitted at least 30 minutes before the first counseling session start time
2. Attend first counseling session (60 minutes)
3. Attend second counseling session one week later (60 minutes)
4. Complete a survey (appx. 15 minutes)

To complete the program, you must attend both sessions as scheduled. Overall, the program is a three hour time commitment.

Register Now

Our health service associates will assist you in scheduling appointments and will provide instructions regarding paperwork that needs to be completed.

CALL THE MAIN LINE: (740) 593-1616

There is a $100 fee associated with the intervention. See the missed appointment policy for additional information related to fees associated with the BASICS program. 

Missed Appointment Policy

Please review the policies carefully to ensure your successful completion of BASICS.

Appointments via Telehealth

BASICS Telehealth appointments are available via phone or video conferencing on Zoom. 

Setting up Telehealth

The following information and forms must be completed prior to meeting with your counselor. 

• BASICS informed consent form 
• Telehealth informed consent form
• Supervision disclosure
• Completed emergency contact plan, including:
  • Emergency contact's name and phone number 
  • Client’s phone number and current address, including county 
  • Contact information for local law enforcement
  • Contact information for mental health crisis service providers operating in client’s county of residence
• Location and privacy discussion
• Identity verification
• Options for modes of communication

Confidentiality and Privacy 

Counseling & Psychological Services (CPS) utilizes multiple measures to ensure client’s confidentiality and privacy from the counselor’s side of the session. We recommend the student take these measures to ensure confidentiality and privacy from their end:

• Conduct the sessions in a private location where others cannot hear you.
• Use secure video conferencing technology. 
  • CPS uses ZOOM for Health Care — a HIPAA compliant application. 
• Do not record any sessions on ZOOM. 
• Password protect your computer, tablet, phone, and any other device with a password that is unique.  
• Always log out of your sessions. 
• Do not have any software remember your password. Sign in every time. 
• Do not share your passwords with anyone. 
• Do not share your computer when you are logged on to any counseling software. 
• If you wish to avoid others knowing that you are receiving counseling services, clear your browser’s cache (browsing history), and on your phone, list your therapist by a name rather that as “counselor or therapist”. 
• Have all of your devices set to time out requiring you to sign back in after a set idle time. 
• Keep your computer updated. 
• Use a firewall and antivirus program. 
• Notify your counselor if you suspect any breach in your security. 

Technology 

• CPS utilizes ZOOM for Health Care — a HIPAA compliant technology.  
• Staff and Clients need to download ZOOM on to their desktop/laptop/tablet.
• Staff shall contact the Business & Technology Manager for technology related support.
• All communications between the client and the counselor occur within the secure patient portal, with the exception of email for scheduling purposes and to share links and blank documents.
• All staff shall be familiar and or trained on utilizing ZOOM video conferencing and telephone conferencing functions.
• Preferred mode of technology for clients is using desktop/laptop/tablet for video conferencing 

Benefits to Telehealth 

• Increase access (disabilities, transportation issues, weather, illness, or emergencies) 
• Convenience regarding scheduling, travel time, etc. 
• Cost savings (e.g. cuts out travel costs, childcare, time off work) 
• Barrier removal, including those with dx such as PTSD or social anxiety 
• Reduced perceived stigma 
• Authenticity of emotional expression: online disinhibition effect – more likely to share more intense or authentic emotion when at a distance 
• Effectiveness literature indicates effectiveness, and body of literature growing 
• Client empowerment:  clients can feel sense of control 
• Social Justice: removal of barriers creates more equitable access for students 
• Increases clinical capacity: by using multiple tele-mental health services, can increase number of students served and seeking services (which can also lead to limitations to ability to serve the demand) 

Limitations of Telehealth

• Confidentiality is greatest concern 
• Instruct clients about how to maintain their own confidentiality, including where they may want to be during their sessions (not in a public location) and being mindful that no one else is in the room that should not be in the room 
• Keeping pace with ethical codes and best practices 
• Limited literature on TMH effectiveness 
• Inability to see communication in context, including non-verbal communication; may have to instruct client on how to create the best atmosphere for the most effective session 
• Service disruption due to technical issues, power outages, challenges with internet connections; identify back-up plans 
• Credentialing and training are essential 
• Administering assessments can be challenging online if it hasn’t been created for online delivery 
• Ensure malpractice insurance covers TMH 
• Lack of technical infrastructure- ensure hardware, software, and human resources are available to provide services in effective, legal, ethical manner 
• Crisis intervention must be planned in advance 
• Privacy and Security compliance is required by state laws; clients may not waive rights with non-compliant service delivery platforms 
• May limit access for individuals without access to high speed internet (i.e., in rural or remote areas) 

Staff Training and Competence 

• Ohio law requires providers be trained in the provision of Telehealth services, best practices, as well as legal and ethical guidelines.
• Ohio law requires providers have the technology competence to effectively deliver Telehealth services.
• All CPS clinical staff complete a Telehealth certification program from Zur Institute TeleMental Health and Digital Ethics course (26 hours)

Supervisee Training Requirements

Supervisees complete APA approved training in Telehealth that addresses the legal and ethical issues related to providing Telehealth services. 

Supervisees review the ethical code of their specific profession (e.g., counseling, social work) to clarify any differences not addressed in above training. 

Supervisors address any questions related to legal and ethical issues in first supervision session of fall semester.