Counseling Center
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm interested in setting up counseling - what do I do?
You can call the Counseling Center at (315) 470-4716, email us at [email protected] or stop into our office at 110A Bray Hall between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you are in crisis and need to speak to someone immediately, please call 988 to speak with a counselor or utilize the Timely Care app.
I am concerned about my student, can you call them?
Counseling is a voluntary service available to students who choose to seek it. We encourage you to refer your student to us, and we provide general information about resources available to your student. However, in an emergency situation, please call 911 or University Police at (315) 470-6666 or (315) 470-6667 to request a wellness-check.
How can I get help for a friend?
If you are concerned about a friend, please let them know about the Counseling Center or Timely Care. It is best if they make their own appointment and choose to seek counseling without pressure to do so. If you continue to feel concerned, and they choose not to seek counseling, visit our Student of Concern page to see additional options to express a concern.
How long are counseling appointments?
Most counseling appointments are 45 minutes long. Crisis appointments are focused on getting you back to baseline functioning, and typically last 20 minutes.
Are there limits on the number of counseling sessions allowed?
There is no set limit of counseling sessions allowed. ESF Counseling Center provides short-term solution-focused counseling and is available for all students. The average number of sessions students typically use is about 3-4, but this varies from student to student. For students who want or need longer-term services, we will assist them in finding low-cost services. It is important to us that all students receive the mental health services they need; we will work with students until they are able to secure appropriate care.
When might a student be referred to a community resource or other provider?
Sometimes students present with concerns outside of the Counseling Center scope. In the cases below a student will be referred to appropriate provides:
- Requires or expects weekly/long-term therapy
- Medication services
- Seeking a formal diagnosis or evaluation
- Active substance use
- Disordered eating
- Exploring outside resources such as hormone therapy, specialized therapy
Does counseling really help?
Yes! Counseling has been shown to help people have improved communication and interpersonal skills, greater self-acceptance and self-esteem, better expression and management of emotions, and relief from depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions.
What crisis services are there?
Please call (315)-470-4716 if you are in crisis and need to speak to a counselor during business hours. After hours and on weekends and holidays, you can call 988 or utilize the Timely Care app to speak to a counselor. During the Fall and Spring semesters, the Counseling Center has crisis sessions available M-F from 10am-11am and from 2pm-3pm. A crisis session is not a typical therapy appointment, it is a 20 minute appointment with the focus on helping students return to their baseline functioning.
What if I need medication?
ESF Counselors do not prescribe medication, but they can assist you in obtaining medication from an outside provider. ESF has a partnership with SUNY Upstate Psychiatry to provide remote telepsychiatry evaluations, followed by medication management if needed. These services are free, the only cost students have is if they are prescribed medication. Please call us at 315-470-4716 to set this up.
What if I need my psychiatric medication refilled?
St. Joseph’s Health Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) can provide immediate psychiatric medication refills or bridge prescriptions. CPEP is open 24/7, but during medication fast-track hours, an individual will typically wait less than an hour to meet with a provider regarding their medication.
Fast track hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays 11am-6pm
(315)-448-6555
301 Prospect Ave
Syracuse, NY 13203
Please note, stimulants that are commonly used for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder cannot be refilled through this program.
Why get counseling?
Making the transition to college life presents many challenges. Counseling is free, confidential and a safe place to process. Students can come into counseling for any reason, good or bad, big or small.
Can my friend come with me for my first counseling session?
We understand that starting therapy can be hard and it's ok to have a friend with you to make it easier. Your confidentiality is important to us so we ask friends to wait in the waiting room during the session in order to give you a chance to talk privately with your counselor.
I would like to schedule a counseling appointment, but I already work with a therapist. What should I do?
Due to mental health provider guidelines and best practices, it is unethical to see two therapists at the same time. We encourage you to communicate with your current therapist if you are looking to transfer services.
Can anyone (like my parents, guardian, professor, or employer) find out I've been in counseling?
No. Counseling information is not shared with anyone inside or outside the College
without your permission. Your instructors, advisors, residence hall staff, parents
or future employers do not have access to this information. Your counseling file does
not become part of your academic record.
If you would like us to communicate with a someone else about your counseling, you
would sign a Release of Information.
Are there limits to confidentiality?
Yes. There are situations in which we are required by law and/or professional ethics to release information. These include:
- Our assessment that you are a danger to yourself or others.
- Our assessment that a child, an elderly person or a person with a disability is being abused, neglected or exploited.
- If we are required to present records or information as part of a legal proceeding.
Should any of these situations arise, our staff will make every effort to discuss with you what steps with be taken.
Do you offer services during break?
We typically do not offer services during break as most of our staff are 10-month employees. This need can be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Timely Care is available all year.
Do you provide diagnoses?
While all our clinical staff are licensed therapists who can diagnose, we refer students to off-campus services if a formal diagnosis needs to be made.
Community Standards required that I see a counselor to complete a sanction. What can I expect?
You will meet with a counselor to complete a general assessment of your wellness, as well as discuss decision-making and support services available to you.
The Dean for Students is mandating contact with The Counseling Center after I was hospitalized for mental health concerns. What can I expect?
ESF is focused on your safety and wants to assist you in any way we can. You will meet with a counselor for a general assessment of your wellness and create a safety plan to ensure that you are aware of the resources available to you. It is important you reach out in a timely manner to ensure you have the support you need.
Will you provide a letter to support a late course withdrawal or College withdrawal?
Dean of Students, Renée McNamara, can meet with you and discuss all of your options regarding withdrawing, incompletes, and transfers. You can schedule an appointment with her by calling (315) 470-6660.
Will you provide a letter to support for gender affirming care?
While we deeply respect and affirm each person’s gender identity, we cannot provide letters for gender-affirming care (such as hormone therapy, surgery, or legal name/gender changes). We are happy to help you connect with qualified providers who specialize in this area and can support you with the documentation and our office can help you find a provider.
Will you provide a letter of support for an emotional support animal (ESA)?
While we understand the important role emotional support animals can play in a person’s well-being, we are not able to provide letters for emotional support animals. We encourage you to speak with a provider who specializes in ESA evaluations and documentation, and can help you find a provider.
I have virtual appointments and need a quiet, private space. Can the Counseling Center provide that?
You can browse the reservable spaces on campus within the ESF Community Portal. You’ll need to log in with your @esf.edu credentials then choose “ESF Spaces”. You can check out the capacity of those room and the calendar for reserving that space. You can also write down a few and check them out in person before putting in a reservation request.
I have an off campus medical or mental health need. How can I access transportation?
Uber for Business provides transportation for ESF students to and from their medical and health appointments/visits in the Syracuse area. This account links to an existing personal account through Uber. When selecting a ride, choose the business account to charge.
First-year students living in Centennial Hall are automatically added to this program at the start of each Fall semester.
If you’d like to be added to the program, email [email protected] with your name and email address you would like the invitation sent to. Please advise you will need an existing personal account through Uber.
All student access is turned off at the end of the spring semester, and an email is required to re-enroll in the program for the summer or following year. Violations can result in removal from the program, and students may also be held accountable to the ESF Code of Student Conduct.