Center for Counseling and Consultation

What is telemental health? How do appointments work?

Telemental health is a way that we can provide direct services to our students through virtual means, e.g., phone or video conferencing. Telemental health is a great way for students to be able to access care, stay connected, and utilize resources while face-to-face appointments are not an option.

Initial appointments are conducted via phone and allow clinical staff to gather necessary information in order to determine how to best assist you and facilitate the most appropriate care. These appointments last about 20 minutes. During screenings, students are also encouraged to ask questions they may have about the process and telemental health. 

How should I prepare for my first telemental health appointment?

Your first appointment will be by phone. Subsequent appointments will utilize audio and video using TAO Connect; this is a HIPAA-compliant encrypted system designed for telehealth. For your appointments, please make sure to:

• Have a computer, tablet, or phone with a camera, microphone, and speakers or headphones ready
• Be in a private place to minimize background noise, interruptions, and distractions
• Have a strong and reliable Internet connection

What can I expect from a telemental health appointment?

Once it is determined that telemental health is a good fit, a CCC clinician with the student will schedule a telemental health appointment via phone or video conferencing.

• Are You Worried About Coronavirus?
• COVID-19: Managing Stress in this Anxious Time
• Managing Stress Associated with the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak (VA National PTSD Center)
• Self-Care Activity
• Tips for Relaxation
• Faculty and Staff: Managing Your Anxiety Around Coronavirus
• Parents: How to Keep Your Children Safe and Reassured When Dealing with Coronavirus
• Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)
• Keeping Your Distance to Stay Safe (American Psychological Association)
• Care for your Coronavirus Anxiety (Shine)

• How to Deal with Grief
• Responding to Tragedy and Crisis: Where Do I Go from Here? What Do I Do?
• When Terrible Things Happen: What You May Experience

• Guided Audio & Video (UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness)
• Using ACT for COVID by Dr. Russ Harris
• FACE COVID by Dr. Russ Harris:

Telemental Health Screening Appointment: All students using the drop-in hours will be assigned to a counselor for a screening appointment.  The goal of this appointment is to assess the student’s immediate needs and determine the most appropriate services.  After gathering the necessary information, the counselor will engage the student in a collaborative planning process.

Telemental Health Emergent Care:  Students who are experiencing intense distress will be provided with immediate care and support after completing the screening. 

Telemental Health Solution Session:   Students who wish to focus on an issue of immediate concern and learn concrete coping skills may wish to participate in a solution session following the completion of their screening. 

Telemental Health Counseling:  Interested students may be assigned to a counselor for ongoing counseling using our secure videoconferencing format.  These sessions are held by appointment only. 

Telemental Health Groups:   Please speak with the CCC counselor regarding the various process and drop-in groups. 

Telemental Health Psychiatry Services:  Our psychiatric consultant provides psychiatric evaluation and medication management to interested students through secure video conferencing.  Students must first complete the screening process and be assigned to a counselor.  Psychiatry services are by appointment only. 

Telemental Health Consultation Services:  Consultation services are available to faculty, staff, and administrators who are concerned about a student.  Community members seeking consultation should call the main number during phone coverage hours.  Consultation calls will be transferred to the counselor on emergent coverage.  If there is not available counselor, consultation calls will be returned by the end of the business day.  The Helpline can also provide consultation to community members 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. 

Telemental Health Case Management Services:  The CCC also provides case management to assist students who are seeking referral for services in the community.  Case management may also be appropriate for students who are not interested in ongoing counseling but wish to “check in” periodically with a counselor. 

Existing & Returning Clients of the CCC:  Existing clients may call the main line during business hours for assistance with scheduling or rescheduling appointments.  They may also leave non-urgent messages for their counselor.  Students who were previously clients at the CCC may also call during the listed telephone hours to make an appointment with their previous counselor, provided they were seen within the last six months (subject to counselor availability). 

Students Residing Outside of New York State:   The CCC will provide telemental health screening and emergent care to our students residing outside of New York state.  State law does not allow us to provide counseling services to students outside of New York State.  However, we may provide case management services to assist with referral to a local provider. 

Below we have outlined resources for identity-based counseling services. Individual therapists have not been vetted and are simply a reference list for those seeking identity-based counseling services from licensed clinicians.

Resources

The Steve Fund
Organization focused on supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color.

Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM)
Group aimed at removing the barriers that Black people experience getting access to or staying connected with emotional health care and healing. They do this through education, training, advocacy and the creative arts.

Black Mental Wellness
Provides access to evidence-based information and resources about mental health and behavioral health topics from a Black perspective, as well as training opportunities for students and professionals.

Therapy for Black Girls
Therapy for Black Girls is an online space committed to improving the mental health and wellness of Black women and girls. 

Ourselves, Black
Information concerning mental health promotion, positive coping and resources related to mental illness and treatment.  

National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI)
www.nyxt.nyc/naminyc

NAMI NYC Metro Support Groups
www.naminycmetro.org/support-groups/ 

NAMI Queens/Long Island
namiqn.org 

NAMI Brooklyn/Staten Island
namistatenisland.org

Ourselves, Black
Information concerning mental health promotion, positive coping and resources related to mental illness and treatment. 

Treatment Directories

• Psychology Today African American Therapist Directory
• Psychology Today Latinx Therapist Directory
• Therapy for Latinx
• Psychology Today Asian Therapist Directory
• Psychology Today Native and Indigenous Therapist Directory 
• Psychology Today Middle Eastern Therapist Directory 
• Psychology Today Bi-/Multi-Racial Therapist Directory
• Psychology Today LGBTQIA+ Therapist Directory
• Psychology Today Racial Identity Therapists  
• Psychology Today Disability Therapist Directory
  • Learning
  • Cognitive  
• Inclusive Therapist Directory

Educational Resources on Racism and Inequality

Understanding the context of racial inequality that impacts mental health

• APA Best Practices on working with Black patients
• APA Mental Health Facts for Black Americans (2017)

Understanding the context of racism and recent events

• Video on understanding racism and the reactions to the death of George Floyd and many others
• Video on understanding the perspectives of your colleagues of color
• Article on “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack”
• List of Anti-Racism resources

 Understanding and addressing the social determinants of health that impact mental health

• Article on improving the health of Black Americans and the overdue opportunity for social justice
• Video on understanding the social determinants of health and toxic stress
• Video on the social determinants of toxic stress, specifically race and ethnic toxic stress
• APA Stress & Trauma Toolkit for treating Black Americans in a changing political and social environment
• The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Page on Achieving Health Equity – Information about why health equity matters and what you can do to help give everyone a fair shot at being as healthy as they can be.

Self-Care for People of Color

Many mental health conditions are being triggered as a result of the coronavirus, the economic crisis and repeated racist incidents and death.

Learn more about mental health conditions including anxiety disorders, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder.

• Article on coping with anticipatory grief
• Article on coping with traumatic stress
• Article on Racial Battle Fatigue

Self-Care for International Students

Mental Health During The Covid-19 Pandemic:  A Webinar For International Students. Presented By Tamanna Chhabra, Psy.D School Psychology Student at St. John’s University (Password 6MjpXhTt)
https://sju-students.webex.com/webappng/sites/sju-students/recording/play/e5c2f992534a43d48daac0faa0b690ce

Ways to Take Action as an Ally or Champion for People of Color

• Article on being a white ally through word, actions and power
• Article on being a white ally for racial justice
• Community based organizations to partner with: Color of Change, Black Lives Matter, Change Zero, The Innocent Project

 Books to Read

• White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo, PhD
• How To Be An Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
• Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Dr. Brittney Cooper
• Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
• So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
• The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
• The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
• The Next American Revolution: Sustainable Activism for the Twenty-First Century by Grace Lee Boggs
• The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
• When Affirmative Action Was White: An Untold History of Racial Inequality in Twentieth-Century America by Ira Katznelson

College students typically encounter a variety of stress during their undergraduate years (i.e., academic, family, financial, social, and work). While most students cope successfully with the demands of college life, for some, the pressures become overwhelming and unmanageable. Students may feel alone, isolated, helpless, and even hopeless. These feelings can easily disrupt academic performance and may result in harmful behaviors such as substance abuse and attempts at suicide.

Faculty, administrators, and staff members are in a unique position to identify and help students who struggle with various issues or are in crisis. This may be particularly true for students who cannot or will not turn to family or friends, or for students who are unaware of the resources available to them.

Anyone who is seen as caring and trustworthy may be a potential resource in a time of trouble. Your expression of interest and concern may be a critical factor in saving a student’s academic career—or even their life.

The purpose of this guide is to help you recognize some of the symptoms of student distress and to provide specific options for intervention, referral to campus resources, and/or consultation with the Center for Counseling and Consultation (CCC). 

Tips for Recognizing Distressed Students

At one time or another, everyone feels low or upset. The following may help to identify some symptoms which, when present over a period of time, suggest that the problems with which the person is dealing are more than the “normal” ones.

What Can You Do?

If you choose to approach a student you are concerned about, or if a student reaches out to you for help with personal problems, here are some suggestions that might make the opportunity more comfortable for you and more helpful for the student:

• TALK to the student in private when both of you have the time and are not rushed or preoccupied. Give the student your undivided attention. It is possible that just a few minutes of effective listening on your part may be enough to help the student feel cared about as an individual and more confident about how to proceed.
  
  If you initiate the contact, express your concern in behavioral, nonjudgmental terms. For example, “I have noticed you have been absent from class lately and I’m concerned,” rather than, “Where have you been lately? You should be more concerned about your grades.”
   
• LISTEN to thoughts and feelings in a sensitive, nonthreatening way. Communicate understanding by repeating back the essence of what the student has told you. Try to include both content and feelings. Let the student talk.
   
• GIVE hope. Assure the student that things can get better. It is important to help them realize there are options, and that things will not always seem hopeless. Suggest resources, including clergy, family, friends, or other professionals on campus. Recognize, however, that your purpose should be to provide enough hope to enable the student to consult a professional or other appropriate person—not to solve his or her problems.
   
• AVOID judging, evaluating, and criticizing, even if the student asks your opinion. Such behavior is apt to push the student away from you and from the help they need. It is important to respect the student’s value system, even if you do not agree with it.
   
• MAINTAIN clear and consistent boundaries and expectations. It is important to maintain the professional nature of the faculty/student or staff/student relationship and the consistency of academic expectations, exam schedules, etc. Also, it is important that you not be “sworn to secrecy,” in the event you need to consult with someone else about an urgent situation.
   
• REFER: In making a referral, it is important to emphasize that help is available and seeking such help is a sign of strength and courage, rather than a sign of weakness or failure. It may be helpful to point out that seeking professional help for other problems (e.g., automotive, legal, and medical, etc.) is considered good judgment and an appropriate use of resources. For example, “If you had a broken arm, you would go to a doctor rather than try to set it yourself.” If you can, prepare the student for what they might expect if they follow your suggestion. Tell them what you know about the referral person or service.
   
• FOLLOW UP: Arrange a time to meet with the student again to solidify their resolve to obtain appropriate help and to demonstrate your commitment to assist them in this process. Check later with the student to see that the referral appointment was kept and to hear how it went. Provide support while the student takes further appropriate action or pursues another referral if needed. Remember that, except in emergencies (i.e., a student presents an imminent danger to self or others), students are adults who may refuse a referral. If this occurs, give the student an opportunity to reconsider by attempting to address any concerns they may have about the referral. You may also offer other alternatives (e.g., off-campus counseling).
   
• CONSULT: When in doubt about the appropriateness of an intervention, call the CCC at 718-990-6384 for consultation. If an urgent concern about a student arises after office hours, call the After-Hours Helpline at 718-990-6352 to speak with a counselor. In an emergency, contact the Department of Public Safety (Q: 718-990-5252; SI: 718-390-4487) for assistance. A student whose behavior has become threatening, violent, or significantly disruptive may need a different kind of approach.

What Happens to a Student at the Counseling Center?

Due to the pandemic, services at the CCC have been centralized for all campuses. Services are delivered virtually through secure videoconferencing or phone. Students may call or visit our website (www.stjohns.edu/counseling) to make an appointment. Students should make their own appointments.

You can assist this process by offering the student the center’s phone number (718-990-6384) and office hours (Mondays through Thursdays, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m., and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.). In an emergency situation, the student is seen virtually as soon as possible.

All on-campus counseling services are free. Students need to know that services at the Counseling Center are confidential by law and ethical guidelines. You should note that this means center staff are not able to verify a student’s attendance or any other mental health information without the student’s written permission.

For the first virtual visit, the student completes information forms before meeting with a counselor. During the initial interview, the counselor begins an assessment of the student’s needs and the ways in which the Counseling Center might be able to help.  

If the student and the counselor agree that further services are appropriate, the student may be offered short-term, individual, telemental health counseling. Some students are referred to other campus service departments or to community resources for specialized services or continued counseling. Others may leave the initial interview feeling able to handle their problems on their own. Students can contact the center again if additional services would be useful.  

Consultation is Available

If you have decided to help a student at risk, you may still have questions about how best to handle the situation. Staff members at the Counseling Center would be happy to help you

• assess the situation, its seriousness, and the potential for referral.
• learn about resources, both on and off campus, so you can suggest the most appropriate help available when talking to the student.
• find the best way to make the referral, if appropriate.
• clarify your own feelings about the student and consider ways you can be most effective.
• discuss follow-up concerns after the initial action or referral.

Points to Remember

• Counseling is free and confidential for all registered and matriculated students.
• Consultation is available for faculty, administrators, and staff.
• Office hours are Mondays through Thursdays, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• All services are currently offered virtually.
• At this time, there is one contact number for all campuses: 718-990-6384.
• All members of the University community may speak with a counselor after hours by calling the helpline at 718-990-6384.
• In case of an emergency, contact Public Safety (Q: 718-990-5252; SI: 718-390-4487).
• For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit us at www.stjohns.edu/counseling.

What is counseling all about?
Counseling is a place where you develop a therapeutic relationship with a professional and talk about your concerns, define goals, make decisions, and solve problems. In counseling you can share your thoughts and feelings in confidence with a professional who is an objective listener and can help you to change your behavior in order to deal more effectively with a problem or by teaching you new skills. Counseling is a joint endeavor in which both you and your counselor work together to achieve goals that you set.

What kinds of problems are appropriate for counseling?
We will be glad to talk to you about whatever is on your mind. No problem is too big or too small for consultation. You don’t need to wait until you hit rock bottom to come in for counseling. In fact we recommend you come in sooner so you can manage potential problems before they grow. In our experience some of the most common reasons students seek our assistance are because: they are stressed out, having difficulty in school, are extremely anxious and nervous, very unhappy, and/or they are having relationship problems with their partner or their family. Other reasons students seek counseling include, but are not limited to, family problems, low self-confidence, and having difficulty adjusting to college life.

How long does counseling last?
We offer short-term counseling. Some problems may be resolved in one or two sessions while others require a series of appointments. Psychiatric consultation is also available for students who are interested in learning more and potentially taking medication. If more intensive or specialized therapy is indicated, we will work with you to find an appropriate outside provider.

Does counseling go on my records?
No! Your Counseling Center visits are confidential. Information is not shared with anyone without your permission. There are certain exceptions to confidentiality, which pertain to threat or harm to self or others and the abuse of children or incapacitated adults. These exceptions are rare and in almost all cases nobody outside of the Center will know about your visit. Please note, that if you are a student who is 17 years old or younger, you will need the consent of your parent or guardian to receive services. This does not necessarily mean that your parents will know what you discuss in counseling, however, they will know that you are seeing a counselor. Please see our policy on confidentiality for additional information (link to confidentiality section).

Who can use the Counseling Center?
Any student, graduate or undergraduate, currently enrolled at St. John’s University is eligible to use our services. Graduate students must be enrolled for a minimum of six credits. (link to student services).

How much does counseling cost?
Counseling Center services are free of charge. We do recommend, however, that students also secure health insurance as at times we do refer students to community providers for continued or specialized treatment.

I thought you had to be crazy to go to counseling (and I'm not crazy)?
You don’t have to be crazy to go to counseling. People go to counseling for all kinds of reasons and the Center for Counseling and Consultation is equipped to address many different issues. As we have already mentioned, the most common reasons people come to the Counseling Center are because they are stressed out, having difficulty in school, or are having relationship problems, not because they are crazy.

Will I be put on medication?
No. Psychiatric services, such as medication, are completely optional. We have a psychiatrist on staff who can consult with you about what would work best for your treatment needs. Medication can often be helpful especially for students who may be depressed or anxious, however, the decision to take or not take medication is completely up to the student.

Isn’t going for counseling a sign of weakness and a sign that I can't handle my own problems?
Everyone experiences hardships at one point or another in their lives, especially at this life stage. We know you are resilient and strong, however, there are some instances when additional information or viewpoints can be helpful in your decision making process. Recognizing when you need help, and then getting it, is a sign of strength, maturity, and good problem-solving skills not a sign of weakness.

Counseling won't work for me. It's not helpful.
There are no guaranteed results, that is true, but how do you know it won’t work for you if you don’t try it? There is a high probability that counseling can be helpful as many of our students report. According to results from our most recent survey, students who came to the Counseling Center reported the following benefits: overall satisfaction with counseling, an increased ability to cope with their stressors, overall improvement as the result of counseling, an improvement in pursuit of their life goals, better relationships with their friends, partner, and family, improved academic performance, an easier adjustment to college life, and better job performance.  

I have tried counseling before and it didn't work.
Your past experience may not have been a good one, but you are in a different place now with different people. Our staff is specifically trained to work with the college population, to work with students from diverse backgrounds, and how to treat students as adults, with respect and without judgment. Approach your new counseling experience with an objective, open mind and see where it takes you.

In my culture, we don’t talk to counselors.
One of the amazing things about St. John’s is that we have students from all over the country and all over the world, from all different walks of life. In fact, did you know, that more than half of the students we saw this past year for counseling identified as students of color? We recognize that in many cultures there is often a great deal of stigma associated with talking to a counselor or mental health professional or anyone outside your family. People may think talking to a psychologist, for example, means you are “crazy” or weak (which we know is not true) or that it may somehow embarrass you or your family. We are sensitive to your needs here at the Counseling Center and will work with you to talk about your concerns. As we have already said, your visit with us is confidential and the fact that you recognize you could use extra help is a wonderful strength you have.

I hear that the counseling center sends students to the psychiatric hospital.
Our main mission at the Counseling Center is not to hospitalize our students but to assist them in coping more effectively with their stressors and to maximize their experience here at St. John’s. In very rare and extreme cases, where there are concerns for safety, we sometimes do send students to the emergency room (ER) for further evaluation to ensure that the student, and other students, remain safe. If a student is sent to the ER he/she will be evaluated by a psychiatrist who will determine if he/she requires hospitalization for stabilization. Keep in mind, psychiatric hospitalization is not a punishment but is a time when someone can temporarily put their stressors aside and spend full-time focusing on a healthy recovery.

What should I expect at my first counseling appointment?
If this is the first time that you will be seen at the Center, your first appointment is called an initial consultation, which is an assessment/interview designed to find out how best we can help you. During your consultation you will be asked to sign a consent form for counseling and to complete a demographics form and mental health questionnaires prior to starting. You will then meet your clinician who will determine how we can better be of help.

Who will be my therapist/counselor?
In order to serve you as quickly and as efficiently as possible, your first intake appointment at the Center will be with the counselor who is first available. If you have a specific counselor preference, such as a preferring a female counselor, please indicate this when scheduling your appointment and we will make every effort possible to accommodate your request. Please be aware, however, that your counselor of preference may not be available right away which may delay your appointment time. 

Crisis Situations/Consultations (Emergencies)

• There is a clinician on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you with any students of concerns.
• Contact CCC immediately if you become aware of a student who is making direct or indirect references to self-harm, suicide, harming others, or appears to be out-of-touch with reality.
• Faculty and staff may call CCC during regular hours at: 718-990-6384 or Public Safety after hours at 718-990-5252.
• Oftentimes, faculty and staff are able to walk student of concern to CCC and then our staff can meet with the student for assessment and follow-up care.

Refering a Student to Counseling (Non-emergencies)

How to Refer Someone for Counseling and Consultation Services
When you have determined that an individual might benefit from professional counseling, it is best to speak to them in a straightforward manner that will show your concern for their welfare, i.e. "I'm concerned about you, you might want to speak with a counselor in the Center for Counseling and Consultation." Encourage them to call us or come directly to the Center for an appointment.

Tips for Referring a Student:

• Use a direct approach and express concerns for his/her welfare. Do not attempt to deceive or trick a student into seeking counseling. Be specific regarding the behaviors that you see in the student that cause you concern.
• Anticipate the student's concerns and fears about counseling. Specifically address their concerns (see suggestions in the next section).    
• Create a positive expectation of how counseling can help. Leave the option for counseling open, except in emergencies, for the student to accept or refuse the referral. If the student is reluctant for whatever reason, express your acceptance of those feelings so you can maintain your own relationship with the student.
• Give the student an opportunity to consider other alternatives by suggesting that they may need some time to think it over. If the student refuses counseling at this time, respect that decision and leave the situation open for possible referral at a later time.
• Ask the student at a later date what action they took. Even if the student did not take your suggestion, your concern for their well being will be appreciated.

Students' Concerns About Counseling and Consultation
Due to many reasons, students often have concerns about seeking counseling and if these concerns are not directly discussed they may prevent a student from seeking the help they need.

Concern: Only crazy people go to counseling (and I'm not crazy).
Response: I don't think you're crazy. People go to counseling for all kinds of reasons and the St. John's University Center for Counseling and Consultation is equipped to address many different issues.

Concern: Going for counseling is a sign of weakness. It shows I can't handle my own problems.
Response: You are capable of handling most of your problems. There are some, however, that are difficult to handle alone. Recognizing when you need help, and then getting it, is a sign of good problem-solving skills.

Concern: Counseling won't work for me. It's not effective.
Response: There are no guaranteed results, that is true. There is a high probability that counseling can be helpful. It has worked for a large number of students and it could work for you. Give it a try.

Concern: I tried it before and it didn't work.
Response: Your past experience was not a good one for you, but you are in a different place now and you will be talking with different people. You shouldn't base past experiences on new opportunities.

Concern: I'm afraid that my parents/dean will find out.
Response: What you share with the counselor is strictly confidential. Information is not released to anyone (parents, friends, relatives, teachers) without your permission.

Classroom Presentations and Trainings

CCC staff also provides educational presentations that may be relevant to your class including topics such as:

• Stress management
• Communication
• Diversity
• Team building
• Sleep hygiene
• Meditation
• Suicide prevention

Please call CCC 718-990-6384 if you would like to schedule a session for your class/organization.

Confidentiality 

All CCC services are confidential.  Although we understand faculty and staff’s interest in their students, we are unable to disclose information about a student without his or her written consent.

Preparing Your Student for College Life

Beginning college is a unique experience in your student’s life.  There are many things you and your student can do to care for your student’s mental and physical health to help facilitate a smooth transition into college life.  Some suggestions:

• Educate your students about health insurance and create a list of emergency referrals including family members, health providers, and other significant members.
• Plan ahead for doctor’s visits and medication refills.
• If you have concerns about your student’s mental health or if there are ongoing psychiatric issues that require long-term counseling, contact us in advance for referrals for local providers.

Note: Counseling is not mandated nor required for students as effective counseling must be voluntary.  In life-threatening situations, authorities at SJU may require a safety assessment.  However, CCC does not provide court-ordered nor other litigation required counseling.

Crisis Situations/Consultations (Emergencies)

There is a clinician on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help your SJU student.

Contact CCC immediately if you become aware of a student who is making direct or indirect references to self-harm, suicide, harming others, or appears to be out-of-touch with reality.

Parents and family may call CCC during regular hours at: (718) 990 – 6384 or Public Safety after hours at (718) 990 – 5252 for consultation.

If your student requires immediate assistance call 911 or take him or her to the nearest emergency room.

Refering a Student to Counseling (Non-emergencies)

Here are some tips for concerned parents who believe their student may be experiencing difficulties.

• Offer supportive feedback
  In a supportive a supportive manner, talk with your student about your concerns.  Provide examples about what you have observed and explain why you are concerned.  
• Normalize the student's experience
  It is not unusual for students to experiences some difficulties with adjustment as they take this next step in their lives, often away from their homes and primary support system.  Students can have their first encounter with or a reoccurrence of symptoms of depression or anxiety during this time of transition and change.  It can be helpful to let remind your student that having such feelings is not uncommon as your student navigates a new environment and new responsibilities (e.g. being away from home, living with roommates, time management, making new friends, etc.).  Then, you can work with your student to discuss how your student can best cope with these new challenges.
• Clarify expectations and roles
  College is a time when roles and communication can change within the family.  It can be helpful for parents and students to clarify their expectations (e.g. grades, phone calls, visits, etc).
• Encourage the student to meet with a counselor
  When a student seems to be experiencing more stress than he or she is well able to cope with on his or her own, it can be helpful to remind your students that counselors are available for counseling and consultation right on campus.  A student can come for one session to ask questions and seek support and make a decision about whether regular counseling would be helpful.  Our staff strives to listen to your students and work with your student to determine what interventions might work best in every situation. 

Individual Counseling
In individual counseling, students sit down one-on-one with a counselor and talk about their concerns, define goals, make decisions, and solve problems. Over a short period of time, students and counselors work together to achieve the goals set by students. Counselors are professional helpers who can listen to students’ concerns and help students deal more effectively with a problem. Some problems may be resolved in one or two sessions while others require a series of appointments.

Group Counseling
As with individual counseling, group counseling also focuses on talking about students’ concerns, defining goals, making decisions, and solving problems. However, in group students gather with a professional and peers. The groups are usually led by 1-2 group leaders and can consist of anywhere from 2-8 students in a group. Many of our groups meet regularly on a scheduled day and time during the course of the semester. All groups are confidential and members agree not to share any information with others nor identify members outside of the group. Many students find group therapy beneficial because: they feel encouraged hearing how others have overcome obstacles, they can feel more “normal” and self-accepting knowing that others share their same problems, and they can feel supported by their peers.

Consultation and Referrals
In addition to offering counseling, the Counseling Center also provides consultation services to students and staff. During a consultation members of the community can   speak with a clinician, either via telephone or in person, and share their concerns. Concerns may be about one’s own well-being or about the well-being of another, like a roommate or a friend. Our clinicians will work with concerned members to come up with an effective plan of action.

Sometimes students that we see may require counseling for longer periods of time or may require more intensive or specialized therapy, in which case we will work with you to find a therapist or clinician outside of St. John’s who can more appropriately treat them. We do recommend that students secure health insurance as many counselors or therapists in the community accept insurance for their services.

Psychiatry
At the Counseling Center we have a psychiatrist on staff who we work and consult with about psychopharmacology. Some students may come to the Counseling Center already taking medication to help them function better while other students may decide that they may want to start medication while at the Counseling Center. Taking medication is not for everybody and taking it is completely up to the student.  Medication can often be helpful especially for students who may be depressed or anxious. We encourage students to talk with their therapists about setting up a consultation with our psychiatrist to learn more about potentially taking medication.

Crisis Intervention/Psychological Emergencies
There is a clinician on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help students who are in crisis.  If a student is in crisis, he or she can come to the Center or call us at 718-990-6384 during business hours. If it is after business hours, please contact Public Safety at 718-990-5252, the Residential Assistant or Residential Director, or call 911 for immediate assistance and they will contact CCC if needed.

Outreach
As part of the Department of Student Wellness, a significant focus of the Center’s mission is to adopt a proactive stance in promoting a positive health environment for all members of the St. John’s community. We offer workshops, classroom presentations, and training programs to various student, faculty, and staff groups on campus. Some of our outreach and training efforts have included: depression and eating disorder screenings, developing stress management techniques, self-compassion workshops, and sexual violence and suicide prevention trainings.  Please contact us at the Center if you would like to arrange a time for one of our staff members to present to your organization or staff. 

The primary mission of the St. John’s University Center for Counseling and Consultation is to provide counseling services to students at St. John’s University.

Services are provided by licensed psychologists and other licensed mental health professionals assisted by doctoral fellows who are advanced students in the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology at St. John’s University.

Doctoral Fellowships in University Mental Health

The Center for Counseling and Consultation (CCC) seeks to promote the overall personal, social, and academic development of the student body through a variety of specialized professional services. It functions within the Division of Student Affairs in concert with other departments united in promoting student development and wellness. The CCC is committed to the provision of culturally-sensitive counseling and outreach services, and to the training of mental health practitioners who seek to develop their multicultural competencies in a college setting.

The CCC staff is comprised of full time psychologists, licensed mental health counselor, a psychiatric consultant, doctoral fellows, graduate assistants, and administrative support staff. The CCC has offices on both the Queens and Staten Island campuses, but the doctoral fellows are exclusively based on the Queens campus. The CCC environment offers an appealing combination of challenging and varied clinical work in a supportive professional setting.

Several doctoral fellowships are available. All fellowships are 20 hours per week during the academic year of September 1 through May 15. The fellowship provides a comprehensive training experience in university mental health with an emphasis on clinical assessment, short term individual therapy, and outreach to a diverse undergraduate and graduate population of approximately 20,000 students. Fellows typically maintain an active caseload of 8-10 individual psychotherapy clients. They will also be expected to participate in outreach workshops/trainings. The position will include tuition remission of up to 12 credits per semester plus a stipend.

Fellows meet with their individual supervisor for at least one hour of supervision each week. More individual supervision will be provided if needed based on client load or complexity of cases. Additionally, fellows will participate in case conference meetings, staff clinical meeting, and in various seminars, including a multicultural seminar, a seminar related to intake writing, and issues related to university mental health.

Applicants must be matriculated in the Clinical Psychology doctoral program at St. John’s University and have completed at least one formal externship placement (by the start of fellowship). In order to apply, please submit completed applications, which include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and three letters of recommendation (one must be provided by an externship supervisor) to the email addresses below beginning March 1^st for the following academic year.

For more information, please contact the CCC at 718-990-6384.

The Center for Counseling and Consultation (CCC) is eager to support you through its outreach program initiatives.

Our outreach services can serve as preventative care. By giving you information about important topics affecting you, we can help you feel empowered to think about your health and wellness differently and perhaps recognize ways of getting assistance for you and your community.

Here are the various mental health outreach topics we present on, and you may also request outreach for your campus organization:

Outreach Topics

Outreach Offerings

• Trainings and Screenings
• Anxiety/Stress Screenings
• Campus Connect: Gatekeeper Suicide Training
• Depression Screenings
• Nutrition Screenings

Please note that all request for outreach need to be made at least two weeks in advance. This allows us to better serve your needs and outreach goals. And if you don’t see the topic you want, we take requests with at least three weeks notice.

For more information, please call the CCC at 718-990-6384.