Student Counseling Center

Services

Crisis Intervention

Students in crisis may contact the Center (315 464-3120). Please let the secretary know that you need immediate assistance when you call. The Director will contact you that day to determine if follow-up assistance or intervention may be indicated. In the case of a genuine emergency, students should call "911" or go directly to the nearest emergency room. It is important to note that Student Counseling is not a 24-hour treatment center; phone messages left after hours will not be received until the following business day.

Individual Counseling/Psychotherapy

Students may receive free counseling/psychotherapy services through Student Counseling. These services can help students to address a variety of concerns, including stress management, adjustment difficulties, depression, anxiety, eating problems, insecurity, relationship problems, and alcohol/drug abuse. Most students find brief intervention—often ten sessions or less—to be sufficient to meet their needs; however, the length of treatment is determined on a case-by-case basis by the student and his/her therapist.

Couples Counseling and Family Therapy

Student Counseling offers treatment to married and unmarried couples, regardless of sexual orientation. At least one member of the couple must be a student at Upstate. Similarly, students and their families may receive family therapy through Student Counseling, provided the student attends all sessions. Students in need of couples or family therapy may be referred to a clinic specializing in that service (e.g., the Goldberg Couple and Family Center at Syracuse University) if there is not a therapist available to take the case at the time of referral.

Psychiatric Referral/Treatment

Students in need of psychiatric evaluation and treatment (e.g., psychotropic medication management) can receive these services for free through Student Counseling. Please note that though the service is free, the cost of prescribed medications is the responsibility of the student. Advanced residents in psychiatry provide these services to students in need. If a student prefers referral to a community/private provider, the Director can assist with providing this referral.