Mental Health Counseling
Providing confidential mental health services
Our professionals in Counseling are specialists in college mental health and are prepared to assist TC3 students with a wide variety of mental health and personal concerns. We provide campus-based brief treatment services and crisis mental health response.
Talking to a professional can be helpful when you are coping with life challenges. Some common concerns that bring students to the Counseling Center are: personal and mood issues, trauma and loss issues, relationship problems, developmental issues (adjustment to college, life transitions), academic concerns, concerns about alcohol and other drug use and other addiction behaviors, and crisis issues (self-harming, thoughts of suicide, assault, and abusive relationships).
Our clinicians also support students who enter college with existing mental health diagnoses. We can provide on-site mental health counseling, symptom management, and collaboration with providers from home.
How do I make an appointment for counseling services?
You can do one of three things:
- Call a Health and Wellness Counseling at 607.844.6577 to schedule a consultation with our Case Manager and learn about our services including counseling.
- Visit the Health and Wellness Counseling in Room 122.
- Email Health and Wellness Counseling at counseling@tc3.edu and we will call you to schedule an appointment with our Case Manager.
24/7 Counseling Services available by calling 607.272.1838
What is counseling?
- Counseling utilizes a short-term model of therapy that is brief and solution-focused.
- In most cases, it is expected that sessions will be limited to six sessions per semester and will focus on resources, solutions, and strategies to manage student’s presenting problem or challenge.
- The first counseling session is called an intake appointment and after signing consent forms and gathering information, the Clinical Counselor will work with each student to determine their goals and next steps.
- Depending on concerns and goals, counseling may consist of one or several sessions.
- Students who require long-term and/or intensive support will generally be referred to community resources for ongoing treatment.
What if I need support, but don't want counseling services?
- Health and Wellness utilizes a Stepped Care approach to mental health, which means we likely have one of more opportunities that will provide you support in a way that is comfortable and effective. Meet with our Case Manager to learn more.
What if I am in crisis?
- If there is an immediate threat to self or others, physical injury or a safety concern, call 607.272.1838 or call Campus Police at 607.844.6511. If you are off campus, call 607.272.1838 or visit your nearest emergency room.
- If you feel like you are in a non-life threatening crisis, please visit the Health Center, Room 118A or the Wellness Center, Room 122 where you can receive immediate support.
Referrals
Psychiatric Referral and Treatment
Counseling does not have a prescribing professional staff. If you are in need of consultation and ongoing management of psychotropic medications, you will be referred to community providers by clinical counselors.
Referral for Disability Evaluations
If you are seeking seeking academic adjustments for learning disabilities, ADHD or psychiatric disorders, be advised that Counseling does not provide evaluations or letters to document the presence of disabling disorders. Students in need of such evaluations may contact Counseling staff at 607.844.6577 for referrals to clinicians in the community.
Students be sure to contact Access and Equity Services directly to learn more about the process of obtaining academic adjustments.
Looking for off-campus counseling in the area?
Search Thriving Campus to find a provider that is just right for you!
Confidentiality
Law and Ethics
Confidentiality is a crucial concern when it comes to the therapeutic relationship. In all but a few rare situations, client confidentiality (i.e., your privacy) is protected by NYS law and by professional ethical rules. Tompkins Cortland Community College Counseling will never release information about you or your services to any outside party without your written authorization; however, there are a few limitations on confidentiality.
- If your clinical counselor believes you might seriously harm yourself or another person, state and federal law requires they act to protect you or the other person. This could include contacting emergency personnel, a friend, a family member, or appropriate College staff. This also may involve involuntary psychiatric evaluation or referral for additional clinical services.
- Clinical counselors are required to comply with the NYS SAFE Act (NYS MHL 9.46). This law requires mental health professionals to inform the County Director of Community Services of individuals likely to engage in conduct that will result in serious harm to self or others. If it is determined that a student is in imminent danger of seriously hurting self or others, Clinical counselors must alert the Tompkins County Director of Community Services and provide them with a student’s name, contact information, and diagnosis(es).
- A court of law may order a mental health professional to release an individual’s records. In such cases Counseling would be required to release student mental health records, with or without consent. Please consult your attorney and inform your clinical counselor if you are involved in any court proceedings.
- NYS licensed mental health providers are mandated reporters of child, dependent adult, and elder abuse. If we learn of a present-day situation in which a child, dependent adult/elder is being abused, we are legally required to report this to the appropriate authorities.
Coverage and Case Consultation
There are two situations in which your clinical counselor might share some information about a student with another mental health professional:
- If a clinical counselor needs to be away from the office, they will arrange for a trusted colleague to "cover" for them. Generally, your clinical counselor will tell the covering clinician only what they would need to know for an emergency. The covering clinical counselor is bound by the same laws and ethical rules to protect your confidentiality.
- Clinical counselors sometimes consult other health/professionals about their clients. This helps them to provide high-quality treatment. Consulting professionals are told only as much as they need to know to understand a client situation and are not given identifying information. Consulting clinicians are bound by legal and ethical mandates to protect your confidentiality.
How to Help a Friend
You may wonder how to help a friend who is in distress. Most of the time, communicating your concerns and listening to your friend in a non-judgmental and supportive way is the best help you can provide.
At times, however, a friend's problems are more serious and this approach may not be enough. If any of the following apply, encourage your friend get professional help:
If your friend…
- is always in distress of some kind
- rarely seems to feel better for more than a little while
- is isolating from family or close friends
- stops taking care of themselves
- is using an excessive amount of alcohol or other drugs
- seems to be ruining close relationships with others
- severely restricts calories, exercises excessively or binges/purges
- feels desperate or hopeless that things will change
- talks about wanting to hurt themselves or hurt someone else
- has problems that are starting to feel overwhelming to YOU
In these situations, it may be helpful to:
- Tell your friend about your concern. Say that you've noticed that they are in a lot of distress and ask what you can do to help. Avoid judgmental or provocative statements and instead focus on the facts (e.g., “You aren't coming to class much and you seem really down all of the time. Some of us have noticed that you aren’t around much and we’re worried about you”).
- Ask if your friend has considered talking to a professional counselor. Give your friend information about Counseling and, if you are comfortable doing so, offer to accompany them to the first appointment.
Talk confidentially with a Clinical Counselor or make a referral to the CARE Team. If your friend's problems seem severe or you are worried that they might hurt themselves or someone else, reach out for help! A clinical counselor can immediately respond, and/or the CARE Team can help determine a course of action, and coordinate with other campus offices to assist the student.
In spite of your best efforts, sometimes friends just won't be receptive to your suggestions. In those cases, it can be helpful to remind your friend that you are there if needed and then to respect your friend's wish not to get help. A major exception to this is when a friend has talked about wanting to hurt or kill themselves or someone else. In these cases it is imperative that you get your friend help. Immediately share this information with Counseling staff, or call Campus Police at 911 or 607.844.6511.