Counseling Services

Counseling Services provides confidential behavioral health services to SUNY Geneseo students. Our experienced mental health professionals are highly qualified to address a wide variety of concerns, and we take an individualized approach to your needs. We strive to make our services accessible and equitable to all students. Services for enrolled students are covered by the Student Health Fee.

Services Available

Walk-In Urgent Mental Health Crisis

These appointments are for students experiencing more emerging/urgent challenges that require more immediate attention. In these instances, we offer walk-in mental health triage services without an advance appointment to provide urgent care assistance. These services are designed to assist students who are experiencing emerging/urgent personal challenges that require more immediate attention.

Fall/spring walk-in urgent mental health: 
Lauderdale Health Center
Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
closed Fridays 9-10 am

Some examples of these crisis-type situations are listed below.

• thoughts of hurting self or someone else
• recent physical or sexual assault
• recent overwhelming major trauma, such as death of a loved one
• recent stalking or domestic violence
• hearing or seeing things
• out of control alcohol or drug use
• current food insecurity or homelessness

For emergencies, call University Police at 585-245-5222, or call 911, 988, or 211. For more information, review Health Crisis & Emergency Resources. For other 24/7 assistance, text "START" to 741-741 for NY Crisis Text Line.

Individual, Relationship, & Group Therapy

If you're just looking for advice, aren't ready to invest in a full hour initial intake appointment, don't want to engage in ongoing therapy, or you just aren't sure what you need, we offer a Non-Urgent Single Session. These appointment types are a good fit for students who want to do some problem-solving around a specific concern. These students usually either do not believe they need to engage in ongoing counseling or are uncertain about whether they want to pursue this. In these single session appointments, we can provide customized recommendations for on- and off-campus resources.

Ongoing individual therapy begins with an Intake Assessment.
An Intake assessment is an initial appointment designed to explore a student's need for short-term counseling. Individual therapy is goal-oriented, which means that our counselors work with each student to create specific goals that will guide the treatment received. We provide individual therapy via both in-person and Telehealth sessions. Intake sessions are also available for two students who are seeking Relationship Therapy.

Group therapy is a powerful treatment option that allows people to connect deeply with themselves and with others. It is one of the most effective types of treatments for a variety of concerns. As part of our Group Program, we offer diverse groups that are based on developing skills, providing support, and exploring interpersonal processes.

Review our Cancellation and No Show policy regarding missed appointments.

Case Management

Our Clinical Case Manager/CARE(s) Coordinator is available to meet with students to explore assistance with basic needs. Read more about the CARE(s) Team on campus.

Outreach and Workshops

Counselors are available to present a variety of workshops on topics such as mental health issues, communication and problem-solving, adjustment concerns, and more. We also offer other regular outreach programs such as our weekly yoga classes and Let's Talk sessions. 

Request a Counseling Outreach Program

Counseling Services is also proud to support the SUNY Geneseo Wellbeing Collective. If you are interested in becoming involved with this group, email co-chair Laura Swanson.

Psychiatric Services

Students who are requesting psychiatric services (medication treatment) must start by requesting an appointment with a counselor. 

We believe that having an ongoing relationship with a counselor is a vital part of your psychiatric treatment. All students connected with psychiatric services through our office are expected to meet with their counselor on an ongoing basis.

To get connected and explore the option of medication, request a counseling appointment at myhealth.geneseo.edu.  

For further information on Psychiatric Services, please visit our Psychiatric Services page.

Community Referrals

If we don't offer what what a student needs, we can help them find it elsewhere through our Mental Health Referrals.

Consultation

Counselors provide consultation services to all members of the Geneseo community, including students, faculty, and staff. We can also consult with parents, local providers, students from other colleges and universities, and others as pertaining to Geneseo students.

If you have concerns about a student, friend, or family member, call our office at 585-245-5716 and ask to speak with a counselor. The counselor will ask for specific information about the situation in order to help you determine how to proceed. Review our How to Help page for additional information on recognizing students in distress and referring to Counseling Services.

Additional Services

• Our Mind-Body services include 1:1 Embodied Intervention appointments with a certified yoga instructor as well as weekly free yoga classes.
• Counseling Services is a training facility which offers a Training Program for both Geneseo undergraduate students and local graduate students. Read more about the structure of our training program, requirements, and how to apply.
• The Addiction Counseling & Prevention (ACP) program at Geneseo offers a number of education and intervention services. Pam Kosmowski is the ACP Program Coordinator, and her office is Onondaga 203-South.
• We are available on Social Media via on TikTok. On Instagram, you can follow the Student Health and Counseling department, Addiction Counseling and Prevention (ACP), the student-run Healthy Geneseo.

Scope of Services

Like most college counseling centers, we focus on short-term intervention modelled around the college calendar. We are committed to maintaining our ability to provide students with high quality, appropriate behavioral health services. 

We can help students with a wide range of issues but do not have the ability to address all concerns. We provide mental health services within the limits of our expertise (as required by professional ethics). As generalist therapists, we are similar to primary care physicians. We address a variety of presenting issues and also offer referrals for concerns requiring more specialized treatment. 

The Department of Student Health and Counseling Privacy Policies are intended to protect the privacy of your personal health information (PHI).

If you have a question or concern and would like a specific response, email the Director of Counseling Services, Jaime Castillo, at jcastillo@geneseo.edu. To provide anonymous feedback, use the Student Health and Counseling Feedback Form.