Students may seek out documentation to support clinical needs or reasonable accommodation requests from Student Accessibility Services (e.g. housing, academic, classroom accommodations). Documentation of a psychological disability is needed in order to qualify for reasonable accommodation requests from SAS. The diagnosis of a psychological disability is a complex process that requires several sessions in order to understand the presence, intensity, and duration of various symptoms, degree of impairment in several areas of life functioning, and an evaluation of how reasonable accommodations would help mitigate symptoms and improve functioning.
The following will be considered prior to a clinician’s ability to provide the requested documentation:
*Students should speak to their counselor well in advance of the documentation due date, as extra time or sessions may be needed.
Counselors may not be in agreement with all requests, may not be able to write a support letter, or may recommend other skills or supports.
The decision to grant any requested or recommended accommodation lies with the relevant department or entity, and not the Counseling Services staff. Support documentation does not guarantee approval. Approval of requested or recommended accommodations at Worcester State University is made by Student Accessibility Services and not by Counseling Services staff.
For more information on reasonable accommodations go to Student Accessibility Services.
Requests for Class Absence Documentation: Counseling Services cannot excuse an absence/s from class for medical illness or mental health concerns. However, if you are seeking documentation regarding your receipt of services in our office, documentation can be provided. Students in need of academic accommodations related to medical or mental health concerns should register with Student Accessibility Services.
Requests for Emotional Support Animal Documentation: Diagnosis of a psychological disability resulting in a prescription for an emotional support animal (ESA) is a complex process that requires several sessions in order to understand the presence, intensity, and duration of various symptoms, degree of impairment in several areas of life functioning, and an evaluation of how an emotional support animal (ESA) would help mitigate symptoms and improve functioning.
Counselors may not be in agreement with the clinical need for an ESA, may not be able to write a support letter, or may recommend other skills or supports. Counseling staff will often work with students to develop coping skills to mitigate symptoms prior to prescribing an ESA.
For more information or questions regarding an ESA accommodation, please refer to Student Accessibility Services.
