The Psychological Counseling Center (PCC) offers confidential short-term individual counseling to students when services are clinically appropriate and available. To be eligible for services, an individual must be a currently registered student, and a PCC counselor must judge that the nature of the student's difficulties are appropriate for short-term counseling.

To make an initial appointment, students can call the PCC at 257-2920 and request an appointment. Students can also drop by the PCC in the Student Health and Counseling Building and speak with the secretary directly to set up an appointment.

The focus and duration of counseling are discussed by the student and the counselor, often during the initial session. Students whose difficulties are not appropriate for short-term counseling and/or who may require longer-term counseling/therapy are offered referrals to private or community services.

Should private therapy services be needed, students are advised to utilize their private health insurance to help offset the cost of services.

About Student Health Insurance

If you currently have student health insurance coverage instead of private health insurance, you should be aware of the minimal insurance coverage for private individual counseling/therapy and prescription medication. Please note that this information regarding student health insurance purchased from the college is subject to change without notice. The student is advised to obtain information about their Student Health Insurance coverage from the Student Health Service at (845) 257-3400.

Under certain conditions, Student Health Insurance purchased through the college does provide some benefit for outpatient private psycho therapy. Below are some steps to take to attempt to access this coverage.

• First, students must be referred to a qualified mental health professional (e.g., licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, certified social worker) by the Psychological Counseling Center (or the Student Health Service).
• Second, students must obtain an insurance claim form at the Student Health Services.
• Third, a student's eligibility for coverage must be verified by the appropriate Student Health Service personnel who must sign off on the form.
• Fourth, a student must complete the form and sign.
• Fifth, a student's referral to the mental health professional must be verified by the PCC.
• Finally, a student must present this completed form to his/her private therapist, who must follow the billing directions on the form.

A note about confidentiality
PCC client information is confidential within ethical and legal guidelines. Client information does not become part of the academic record of the student. Confidential counseling information can only be released with the written consent of the student, except in situations where a student poses a threat of serious harm to self or to others, or in the case of abuse/neglect of a minor, or in the case of a court-ordered release of information.