The Counseling Center is open to all Yeshiva University students, yet students may not know about the services they provide and what types of students use the services. Students who are not in crisis may feel that their needs are not urgent enough to reach out for help. Others may hesitate to visit the Counseling center due to stigma, or are simply unaware of how going can be helpful. Moreover, for those who have never met a psychologist, the thought of talking to an adult “stranger” about their personal lives seems strange.
This column will inform students about the many services the Counseling Center offers, as well as show students that the Counseling Center is not a place to avoid or fear, but a place anyone can turn to for all kinds of support and guidance. It is important to realize that the people who work there are just like any of us and are there to listen. :)
In a crisis? A complicated relationship? Have overwhelming school stress? Some sort of grief/trauma or anxiety/depression? Self esteem concerns? Or just a hard day you want to talk about? Any Yeshiva University graduate or undergraduate student can come to the Counseling Center.
I think I might want to talk to someone, but I’m not sure if this is a good idea or if coming to the Counseling Center will be helpful. What should I do?
NO problem is too big or too small for the Counseling Center to help with. Do not hesitate to reach out!!
How do I set up an appointment? If it is urgent do I need to wait to speak with someone?
You can call the Counseling Center: Wilf (646) 592-4200 Beren (646) 592-4210.
You can also e-mail counseling@yu.edu to make an appointment. In your email make sure to say a little bit about why you are thinking of coming to the Counseling Center. The Counseling Center will then arrange a time for you to speak to a staff member.
While making an appointment beforehand is preferred, if you need help urgently or if a problem suddenly arises, the Counseling Center does its best to accommodate. Normally you can walk in to the counseling center and request an appointment. However, due to COVID-19 the campus is closed, so reach out via e-mail or phone. In case of a life threatening emergency it is best to call 911.
Where is the Counseling Center located? Is it still open despite COVID-19?
The Counseling Center is on both campuses, but in less crowded areas to protect your privacy.
Beren and Cardozo Campus Counseling Center: 215 Lexington Avenue (between E 32nd and E 33rd street), Suite 1303 Wilf Campus Counseling Center: 500 West 185th Street, Furst Hall, Suite 520.
Due to COVID-19, and since students are not on campus, appointments are currently happening via video-chat. Hopefully in-person appointments will be available again soon, but the Counseling Center will continue to accommodate students wherever they are.
What can I expect in my first appointment?
You should come 10-15 minutes before your first appointment to fill out some paperwork. Similar to when you first come to a doctor’s office, the paperwork is just to collect some basic information. Additionally, there is a survey you fill out about different experiences you may or may not be having. This is just so that the person you speak to gets a general idea of why you are coming.
Sessions are generally 45 minutes long. The first session helps the staff member get to know a little bit about you and find out why you decided to come. They sometimes ask questions, sometimes comment on things you’ve said, and sometimes just listen. While the person you are speaking to will need to ask some questions, sessions are not interviews. They are conversations which flow naturally.
What if I can’t quite put into words why I decided to come?
Often when life gets overwhelming, it is hard to know where to begin explaining what is going on. Don’t worry if you can’t quite put into words why you decided to come. The staff member you are talking to is trained to listen to you and help you figure that out. This process may take just one session, or it may take a few.
Can I say anything in the session? Or can I choose to not to speak about something that I’m not comfortable sharing? Yes! The sessions are all about you, so do not hold back from sharing about yourself, your friends, your school, your family, or really anything. You may even find yourself talking about seemingly insignificant things, like your favorite TV show, but these small anecdotes will help the person you speak with to get to know you and build a relationship with you.
You can also choose not to share something and/or refrain from answering a question. Do not hesitate to tell the staff member that something is making you uncomfortable.
Most importantly, feel free to voice any questions or concerns you may have. For example, if you are scared to be there or concerned that it wasn’t the right choice to come, that’s completely normal and you should mention that! The person you are speaking to will never be upset with you for anything you say because they really just want to help you and make the session(s) as meaningful and productive for you as possible.
Will I feel comfortable right away? Will I leave the session feeling better?
This really varies from person to person. Like any new relationship, you may not feel completely comfortable right away, and it can be hard and to open up to someone new. It may at first feel a bit forced or awkward. However, the staff members are kind and supportive and try their best to make you feel comfortable. By the end of the session you may be surprised by how easily the conversation flowed and how much you spoke about!
While your problem may not be solved in just one session, most people feel relieved just knowing that they are talking to someone and have a little more support for whatever is going on.
Will the person I speak to take notes? Where do those notes and the paperwork I filled out go?
Every clinician is different, but some find it helpful to take notes during your first session, and sometimes after that, to write down a little bit about what you tell them so they can try to figure out how to help you.
The Counseling Center is completely confidential. The records they keep are just to ensure they have the necessary information in order to be there for you. The only people that have access to those records are the staff members who work there. Besides the person you speak to, other staff members only look at your file if they are consulted to help figure out the best way to help you. Most likely the only person keeping/reading your records is the person (or people) you speak to.
What happens after the first session?
By the end of the first session, the clinician you speak to will have a better sense of why you decided to come and what might help you. While some students just come once to talk about something specific going on, others need a few more sessions to hash out a problem and figure out the best way to deal with it. There are also students who stay for longer and arrange for more regular meetings. If the Counseling Center feels your needs would best be met somewhere else, they will help make sure you find the right place to handle whatever you are going through. It may take more than one session to figure out what makes sense for you. The staff member will communicate with you and together you will figure out the best plan. The important thing is that you feel comfortable and voice any questions or concerns you may have with the person you are speaking to.
A.L.