Psychological Withdrawal

Questions and Answers

1.Q.What is a psychological withdrawal?

A.A “psych” withdrawal is provided by the University Counseling Center to students whose emotional distress or substance use is so severe that they are unable to address the requirements of the academic environment. This will usually mean the student is a danger to themselves or others, is unable to adequately care for him/herself, or is engaging in excessive substance use requiring inpatient treatment or hospitalization. A student may, at the discretion of the administration of the Counseling Center, receive a psychological withdrawal if he/she has taken steps to address this interference, as evidenced by participation in counseling prior to the withdrawal request, consultation with Student Health Service physicians, or other actions intended to counteract the effects of the psychological or substance use condition factors that impaired the student’s academic performance.

2.Q.Can I get a “psych” withdrawal for a specific class?

A.No. A psychological withdrawal constitutes a complete withdrawal from school. Psychological withdrawals cannot be given for selected classes.

3.Q.If I get a psychological withdrawal, what will I need to do to

return to school?

  1. Anyone who is granted a psychological withdrawal must remain out of school for a minimum of six months and receive treatment during that time from a licensed or certified mental health professional ( e.g. psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor, social worker, or psychiatric nurse). When the student is ready to return to school they must get their therapist to send a form and letter to the Counseling Center documenting that they received treatment and how much (# of sessions) treatment they received (one or two visits to a mental health professional will not suffice). The therapist will need to make an explicit statement that (1) the student has complied with treatment; (2) the student is stable and ready to return to the unstructured, and sometimes stressful, environment of the university; (3) the student has addressed the issues that led him/her to drop out of school; and (4) it is in the best interest of the student to return to school. A diagnosis, prognosis, and recommendation for follow-up treatment should also be provided. Some students have seen a mental health professional several times soon after receiving the withdrawal and months later asked for the letter. Some of the mental health professionals are unwilling to write such a letter for someone they haven’t seen in months. It is your responsibility to work this out with your treating clinician. You must stay in treatment until the clinician will write the letter for you. You would also need to participate in a face-to-face interview with either the Director or Associate Director of the Counseling Center before being re-admitted.

4.Q.I was depressed fall semester last year and had bad grades. Could I get a

withdrawal for that semester?

  1. No. The Counseling Center does not give retroactive psychological withdrawals.

They are only given for the current semester.

5.Q.Can I stay in the residence hall if I get a psychological withdrawal?

  1. You would need to move out of your residence hall within a couple of days.

Once you take a psychological withdrawal, you are no longer a student and would not be eligible for the services rendered to students (e.g. residence halls, Quinn Center, Health Center, Library, etc.).

6.Q.Can I continue to get therapy/counseling or other services from the Counseling

and Psychological Services Center after I receive a psychological withdrawal?

  1. You can receive a last termination session and referral but the Center is only able

to provide ongoing services to enrolled students.

7.Q.Would it show up on my transcripts?

  1. The psychological withdrawal shows up on transcripts as “W” signifying

“withdrawal”. Those reviewing a transcript would have no way of knowing the reason for the withdrawal.

8.Q.How will a psychological withdrawal affect my financial aid or academic

probation status?

  1. You would need to get that information from the source of you financial aid for

the former, and from your academic advisor for the latter.

9.Q.Will I be able to register for next semester’s classes during early registration?

  1. You will not be able to register for classes again until you have met the conditions of the psychological withdrawal contract listed in #3 above.

10.Q.What do I need to do to get a psychological withdrawal?

  1. It is a good idea to discuss the decision with family or those who provide financial support who may also be impacted by your decision. A meeting with the director or associate director who will assess whether you meet the criteria for a psychological withdrawal will be necessary.

Counseling and Psychological Services Center

Appalachian State University

Updated 7-26-2007