What is Bright Knights?

Bright Knights is an open forum for athletes to receive help and support in a receptive and open atmosphere.  It is an opportunity for the student athlete to receive feedback and support when they are having difficulties fulfilling their athletic, academic, or social roles. Bright Knights is not therapy, but an opportunity to get tips or learn skills to help with the many demands they are faced with. We recognize that student athletes are a unique group of students who cope with stressors over and above what the traditional student is faced with, and Bright Knights provides the chance for the student athlete to talk with a professionally trained therapist that is outside of but understanding and aware of their athletic and academic commitments.

What sort of things do athletes come to talk about?

Problems can range from situational stresses such as problems with other team members or friends/significant others to more long standing concerns about athletic or academic performance / family stress / or emotional and behavioral difficulties. In those situations where the concerns are more long standing in nature Bright Knights can provide the bridge to help the student athlete get the help that they need.  

When and Where?

Bright Knights will be held every Tuesday evening from 5:00 - 6:30pm in the student athlete resource room in Wayne Densch I. Feel free to stop by, no appointment is needed. If you think that you need more than just a couple of minutes to talk, you can always schedule an intake at the counseling center or stop by to make use of our COD (Counselor on Duty) services.

Who would I be talking to?

Tim Fortney, Psy.D. serves as the liaison between the athletic department and the counseling center and has a special interest in working with student athletes and specialized training in performance enhancement.

Back to top

I am concerned about a member of my team, how can I refer them to Bright Knights?

• Talk directly to the student athlete about your concerns privately. Keep in mind that people in distress are often more receptive to expressions of genuine interest, caring, and concern.
• Be specific about what you have observed that you are concerned about (falling athletic or academic performance, emotional outbursts, withdrawing from friends or team members, talking about suicide, etc.). Stating what you have observed directly makes it much more difficult for the person to avoid or deny that the problem exists and communicates that you care enough about them to notice something is wrong.
• It is important to remember that except in cases of an emergency the decision to accept a referral to Bright Knights or counseling rests with the individual. If the student athlete refuses the idea of consultation with Bright Knights or counseling it is usually best not to push. Just let the person know that you would be open to talk about it again in the future. It may be useful to talk about your concerns with your coach or someone on the training staff.
• Don’t coerce or try to trick the person into counseling or coming to Bright Knights. This will undermine the student athlete’s trust in both you and the counseling process.
• Many student athletes have negative perceptions about counseling, psychologists, or mental health in general. To the best of your ability educate the person about the counseling process. Let them know that Bright Knights and services at the Counseling Center are free and voluntary and they can terminate the process at any time. Bright Knights can also be an easy way for someone with questions about therapy or counseling to get those questions answered.

Is what I talk about confidential?


Consultation such as Bright Knights often involves the disclosure of sensitive and personal information. Professional and ethical codes and state laws consider the personal information discussed between a mental health professional and client (18 years and older) to be strictly confidential. This means that any information shared in Bright Knights, including the fact that you have used the services, will not be disclosed to anyone (university officials, faculty, staff, parents, athletic coaches or trainers) without your written permission. The records kept at the counseling center are not kept as part of your academic or administrative record.
While a student is a minor, parents have rights to discuss her/his counseling with her/his counselor. Please note that although parents have rights to their child's counseling information until they become 18, it is often in the best interest of college-aged clients if their patent are only involved when requested by the client and/or counselor. Student under 18 years of age will need written parental consent before receiving counseling services, unless they are in crisis

Back to top

I’ve been thinking about counseling but I think I want to talk to a specific type of therapist?

Finding the right fit between the therapist and client is very important and is often the key to making the changes that the client is looking for. If you have a specific preference for the type of therapist you want to work with (male/ female, or someone who is ethnically or culturally similar, GLBTQ) feel free to let us know. At the counseling center we respect diversity and finding that match that allows you to be comfortable is very important. Check out our Meet the Staff to get an idea of who you might be comfortable working with.

Resources for coaches or trainers
If you are concerned about one of your student athletes you may want to talk to them about your concerns. Here is a list of suggestions to help the conversation go more smoothly.

• Whenever possible find a private setting, doing it privately allows the student athlete to “save face” and communicates that you care without embarrassing them in front of others.
• Be open and direct about your concerns, use specific examples and talk about the behaviors you have noted. This communicates respect while reducing the opportunity for the student athlete to deny or avoid your concerns.
• Go slowly, give the athlete time to listen, and offer them an opportunity to speak about what you have noticed.
• Encourage the athlete to make use of the resources that are available to them, such as Bright Knights and the UCF Counseling Center. Discuss referring the athlete to the counseling center for an initial appointment.
• Reassure the athlete that encountering problems as a student athlete is normal, and seeking out help for their problems is a sign a strength not a weakness or a indication that they are “crazy.”
• Remember that they have the right to refuse help, and often they may initially refuse but take you up on the referral later after they have thought about it.
• If you are unsure what to do or say, or are concerned a student needs more help, use the Counseling Center consultation services by calling us at 407-823-2811 and asking to speak with an available counselor.
• If you find yourself in a crisis situation, try to stay calm and check that the student is safe from harm from him or herself or from others.  If you need help ensuring that safety, call Campus Police at 407-823-5555.  

Eating Disorders & Student Athletes
	pdf of slideshow
Substance Abuse & Student Athletes
	pdf of slideshow
College Athletes & Anxiety
	pdf of slideshow

NCAA Managing Student Athletes Mental Health Issues Booklet	NCAA Hazing Prevention in College Athletics

 

Back to top