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Mental health involves how we think, feel, act, and get along with others. Therefore, mental health counselingÌýhelps individuals improve emotional and behavioral wellbeing by providing services toÌýindividuals who seek help in dealing with issues that affect their lives. Counseling provides a safe space for students to share their concerns and strugglesÌýwithÌýa trained professionalÌýwho can help with processing and treating these issues through the use ofÌýa variety ofÌýtherapeutic skills and strategies.

Many students find it helpful to have a safe space to speak freely about their thoughts and feelings, and common reasons students seek out Counseling Services include:Ìý

• Coping withÌýemotional difficulties (sadness, anger, anxiety,Ìýgrief,Ìýetc.)
• Building skills forÌýmanaging stress effectively
• Overcoming loneliness and homesicknessÌý
• Coping withÌýtheÌýloss of a loved one
• Exploring issues related to identity
• Enhancing relationships with friends, family, and romantic partners
• Strengthening confidence and self-esteem
• Coping with acts of discrimination
• Processing traumatic events and experiences
• Addressing suicidal thoughts or urges
• Managing sleep, body image, or eating concerns
• Reducing alcohol and drug-related problems

Counseling can be an ongoing journey. Although we cannot guarantee to find a solution for every one of your concerns, our staff will support you every step of the way and connect you to the necessary resources throughout the process.

Counseling Services offers initial consultation appointments for students who would like to connect with a counselor who will work with them to evaluate which services best meet their needs. Services we offer include:

• Individual counseling, which can be scheduled throughout the semester or utilized as-needed
• Group counselingÌý(groups offered each semester are determined by student needs and attendance)
• Resource sessionsÌýto help students connect with off-campus providersÌý
• Wellness programmingÌýthat provides psychoeducation to all studentsÌýaboutÌýa variety of mental health topics
• TrainingÌýand presentationsÌýforÌýfaculty, staff, and students
• Emergency and crisisÌýsupportÌý

Counseling Services at MSMC are completelyÌýFREE! There is no charge for any of our services, and no insurance is needed.

During the counseling process,Ìýinformation shared with counselors is protected by state law and professional ethics, and is not shared with individuals outside of Counseling Services without written consent by the student. However, the staff may be required to disclose information to others in specific situations related toÌýimminentÌýsafety concernsÌýorÌýin situations that require mandated reporting.Ìý

Students must schedule their own appointments – third parties are not allowed to schedule for someone else. Appointments can be scheduledÌýduring office hoursÌýby calling the office at (845) 569-3115, emailing counseling@msmc.edu, orÌývisitingÌýour office in Aquinas 6Ìýand speaking with the administrative assistant or otherÌýstaff member.Ìý

If you schedule a virtual Zoom appointment, please find a private location so you will not be disturbed and can ensure your session is kept private. Zoom appointments are offered to both commuter and resident students.

The duration of individual counseling or services varies based on a few factors.ÌýCounseling ServicesÌýuses a short-term treatment model, meaningÌýour staff will help students to address their immediate concernsÌýuntil the student begins to see an improvement or resolution of what has brought them into counseling.ÌýTypically, students meet with a counselor for an average of 6-8 sessions during an academic semester,Ìýbased on their level of need and the timing of whenÌýthe student seeks counseling.

It’s important that students get the care they need. If a studentÌýcould benefitÌýfrom more specialized or in-depth care, our staff will help connect them to an off-campus provider.ÌýÌý

Yes!ÌýSometimes aÌýstudentÌýrequiresÌýmore treatment than college counseling can provide. In those cases, a counseling services staff member will help the student connect with an off-campus provider.Ìý

We also offer Resource & Referral Sessions for students who are not interested inÌýreceivingÌýcounseling through MSMC Counseling Services but would like assistance with finding off-campus resources.

We will always meet with any student who walks through our doors.ÌýChances are, if you already see aÌýtherapist,Ìýyou will not require services throughÌýthe college. However,Ìýsometimes when a student isÌýstrugglingÌýor has a therapist out of state,Ìýthey may want to speak with someoneÌýon campus.ÌýIn these cases, we encourage students toÌýspeak with their off-campus therapist about having seen an on-campus counselor. If it is necessary, students can provide consent for our staff to speak with their off-campus therapist.

You are welcome to reach out to our staff if you have a concern about another student. We will listen to your concerns, work with you to figure out how to help you and your friend, and keep everything confidential.Ìý

Note that due to confidentiality, ifÌýcontact is made with the student of concern, we are not able to follow-up and share this information with the referring partyÌýwithout the written consent of the student.

While we try to meet as many needs of our students as possible,Ìýthere may be a time when a student requires more than what college counseling can offer. InÌýthoseÌýcases,Ìýcounseling staff will assist studentsÌýto the best of our abilityÌýin finding resources off-campus. Services we do not offerÌýinclude:

• Emotional SupportÌýAnimal evaluations, recommendations, or letters
• Disability paperwork forÌýon-and-off campusÌýaccommodations
• Psychiatric or medication services
• Evaluations and testing for ADHD, learning disabilities, or Autism Spectrum
• Long-term psychotherapy
• Counseling for individuals whoseÌý±è°ù¾±³¾²¹°ù²âÌýconcerns include severe and active substance abuse, eating disorder, psychosis, recent history of multiple psychiatric hospitalizations, andÌýthoseÌýwho are experiencing serious and imminent risk of harm to self or others.Ìý

Students with any of the above concernsÌýwill likely be referred to community providers, given the need for ongoing treatment and resources that are not available through MSMC Counseling Services.ÌýThis list is not exhaustive: if you have any questions, please reach out to the Counseling Services office.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: dial 988 or visitÌý
  • Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988 and select "1" or text 838255
• Crisis Text Line: text "HOME" to 741741, or visitÌý
• Trans Lifeline: dial 877-565-8860, or visitÌý

• Orange County Crisis Call Center: dial 1-800-832-1200
• Ulster County Mobile Mental Health: dial 844-277-4820
• Sullivan County Mobile Mental Health (18+): dial 845-791-7123 or 800-710-7082
• Rockland County Behavioral Health Response Team: dial 845-517-0400
• Dutchess County Helpline: dial 845-485-9700
• Putnam County Crisis Hotline: dial 845-225-1222
• Westchester County Crisis Prevention & Response Team: dial 914-925-5959
• Bergen County, NJ Crisis Hotline: dial 201-262-HELP (4357)
• Fairfield County, CTÌýMobile Crisis Unit: dial 203-974-7300

Adjusting to college life, whether a student is a resident or commuter, may take some time. For the traditional aged student entering college immediately after high school, it can take time to get used to the differences in scheduling and support that was offered in the K-12 setting. For non-traditional students, adjusting to being in academic courses after some time away from school can cause feelings of overwhelm while trying to balance other responsibilities as well. It’s important to remember that these adjustments are normal, and there are a lot of resources available on campus to help! If you’d like more information, refer to this resource from Mental Health America titled, “” 

While it's normal for students to experience some mood changes and "ups and downs" when adjusting to college, some signs that a student may need extra support include:

• Increases in irritability or extreme mood fluctuations
• Significant changes in academic performance
• Withdrawing from others or reporting loneliness
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Self harming behaviors or suicidal statements
• Drastic changes in hygiene or appearance

Some students struggle at first with their increased sense of freedom and responsibilities in college, and families can sometimes step in and take over when it isn't necessary. We recommend encouraging your student to make responsible decisions and actively problem-solve, as opposed to fixing their problems for them. This will help them develop confidence and responsibility.

If you notice your student is struggling with emotional difficulties, the following resources may be helpful for you:

• JED Foundation:
• Forefront Suicide Prevention:

Counseling Services aims to see students as quickly as possible. Students are typically scheduled within a few days from their outreach, but this timeline can fluctuate depending on office demands, your student’s availability, and timing during the semester. Counseling also offers brief same-day drop-in appointments for more urgent and time-sensitive matters.

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As a family member, you may rightfully be concerned about your student's well-being and want to be involved. Due to confidentiality, Counseling Services may not disclose any information without the written consent of any student age 18 or older. Family members are always welcome to contact Counseling Services for questions or concerns.

Third parties cannot make appointments for students. Students must contact the office via email, phone, or visiting the office to initiate services and schedule an appointment. However, if you have any questions or concerns, we would be happy to hear from you!

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