Psychological Care
Our Center provides free, professional services to students for a wide range of personal concerns. Our focus is on time-limited therapy and preventative outreach.
Hours & Availability
Counseling and psychological services are available by appointment at the Center Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
We also offer 24-hour emergency services to those students who feel they are in an emergency situation and cannot wait for an appointment. Between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, an individual who is having an emergency can come in on a "walk-in" basis. After hours and on weekends, if it is an emergency situation, you may call the University Police at (518) 564-2022 and ask for the counselor on call.
Our Approach
We believe that counseling is a collaborative effort which involves the development of a unique, confidential helping relationship. Our role as counselors is to help you gain insight into your situation, strategize solutions, and develop valuable coping skills that will allow you to more effectively manage the challenges of college and life.
As a client, your role will be to form a partnership with us, identifying specific goals for yourself and helping us help you find solutions. To that end, we offer short-term, goal-oriented counseling in either individual or group format. You may request a particular counselor if you wish. You may also call the office to speak to a counselor and remain anonymous.
A Word on Confidentiality
All contacts with the Counseling Center are treated with the utmost CONFIDENTIALITY. Confidential information is stored in locked cabinets and on secured computers. No information about the students who use these services is released to other campus departments, outside agencies, family members, or friends. Even the fact that a student has been to this center is confidential. Please Note: Email is not a secure medium. For this reason, communication by email is discouraged.
Some exceptions to the strict code of confidentiality employed at this Center are in the event that you pose a danger either to yourself or to someone else. Also, state laws mandate counselors to report children in danger. In these cases, professional judgment would be exercised and confidentiality may be broken in order to take whatever steps were deemed necessary to protect you and/or others.
Counseling Services
Individual Counseling
Our primary focus is on short-term, goal-oriented therapy. Counselors work with students in developing coping strategies, resolving conflicts, or handling a crisis situation. Examples include relationship issues, anxiety, shyness, depression, food-related concerns, college adjustment, substance abuse, sexual orientation issues, challenges for international students, and general mental health.
Group Counseling
Available to help students who share similar concerns. Groups can change from semester to semester based on student and staff interests.
Self Development Group (open to students only)
General psychotherapy group designed to reach a broad group of students experiencing a diverse set of issues with a common theme of having the ability to benefit from peer feedback and insight. Improve your ability to manage personal issues; expand self-awareness; build self-esteem; improve social skills; gain coping skills; and receive feedback from peers in a supportive environment.
- Coordinator: Kathryn Haendiges, Psy.D.
- Location: Student Health Center Conference Room #148
The Body Image and Eating Issues Group (open to students only)
Support group designed to help students who are dealing with issues related to food and self-esteem. The group will combine discussion with structured activities to encourage problem solving and exploration of feelings.
- Coordinator: Carol Shuttleworth, Ph.D.
- Location: Student Health Center Conference Room #148
Coming Out Support Group (open to students only)
This group is designed to provide a safe and supportive environment for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered individuals to discuss general mental health issues. A broad range of topics is possible and might include coming out concerns, relationship issues, self-esteem, and identity development.
- Coordinator: Kathryn Haendiges, Psy.D.
- Location: Student Health Center Conference Room #148
Grief Support Group (open to students only)
It is often hard to deal with the pressures of college in addition to grief issues. This group is intended to provide a safe environment for students dealing with grief to come together and provide support for one another.
- Coordinator: Victoria Christofi, Ph.D.
- Location: Student Health Center Conference Room #148
To register for any of the groups, please call (518) 564-3086. All calls are strictly confidential.
Contact Information
Location: We are located directly behind Saranac Hall and Macomb Hall. View Center hours and availability.
Telephone
- Student Health: (518) 564-2187
- Psychological Services: (518) 564-3086
- Emergency Services: Call 911 or University Police 564-2022
- Toll-free: (866) 858-4089
Fax:
- Health (518) 564-2188
- Psychological Services (518) 564-2376
E-mail: healthcenter@plattsburgh.edu
Mailing Address:
Center for Student Health & Psychological Services
State University of New York at Plattsburgh
101 Broad Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
