Whether you’re worried about grades or a personal crisis, we’re here to support mental wellness through a variety of services to currently registered students.
Different people require different levels of care or intervention. At UB, we offer a stepped approach, with different levels of support to help you, including:
You can access self-help resources any time, or attend any virtual educational workshops you choose. If you would prefer to talk with a counselor (one-on-one or in a group session) or request a referral to a community provider, please review the information on this page, and then schedule a needs assessment appointment.
You can contact Counseling Services if you need counseling, or if you know a student who may be in crisis.
In counseling sessions, you can expect to have open and honest discussions with a trained counselor in a safe environment. Here, you can:
As a currently registered UB undergraduate or graduate student, you have access to our services through your mandatory comprehensive health fee. Students can contact Counseling Services if they need counseling, or if they know a student who may be in crisis. All racial, ethnic, religious, gender, sexual orientations, and age differences are fully respected.
Participation in counseling is private and confidential as permitted by law. In fact, counselors are under ethical and legal obligations not to release confidential information.
Unless the student provides written permission:
The only exceptions to sharing information about a student in counseling are those rare times when it is clear that a person’s life is in danger, when a child appears to be in danger of being harmed, or when the information is required by a court of law (i.e., subpoenaed) within the United States. We encourage students to discuss any concerns they have about confidentiality with their counselor.
All racial, ethnic, religious, gender, sexual orientations, and age differences are fully respected in counseling.
At UB, our counselors have experience helping students deal with a wide range of personal and academic difficulties. The Counseling Services staff includes psychologists, mental health counselors, social workers, psychiatric nurse practitioners and graduate student interns.
When you’re in a crisis or dealing with stress, you may find it helpful to talk with a trained counselor. Students come to Counseling Services to get help with a variety of concerns, including:
Counseling Services offers counseling for groups and individuals, including emergency consultations.
Explore personal issues, share common concerns and try out new ways of interacting with others. There is no limit to the number of group counseling sessions you can attend.
Group counseling is a natural extension of the way you live your daily life, interacting with others. But instead of talking to your family, social networks or classes, you talk with similar students and with counselors who can help.
During group counseling, you will likely find that you have a lot in common with other group members, and that other people may have the same types of difficulties that you are facing. We work hard to create a strong level of trust, so everyone in the group can talk openly and honestly.
A typical group includes 6-12 students and 1-2 therapists, and meets once per week. Under the skilled direction of the group therapists, the group is able to give support, and offer alternative perspectives and new skills. By following this process, you can address your concerns, learn alternative behaviors, and develop new ways of relating to people.
How much you talk about yourself depends upon what you are comfortable with. You control what you share with the group; in fact, we encourage you not to share until you’re ready. Group leaders are there to help develop a safe environment and facilitate the conversation.
Different types of groups are offered each semester; please see below for current groups.
Tuesdays 1:30 - 3:00 pm – Online
This structured group will teach skills to live in the present, deal with stress, manage difficult emotions, and handle interpersonal conflict in effective ways.
Thursdays 1:30-3:00 pm - Online
This group provides a supportive environment in which people who hold white privilege can explore and question their roles in the perpetuation of racism. Among other things, group members examine various aspects of white privilege and gain understanding about how they can become allies to People of Color.
Wednesdays 2:00-3:30 - Online OR
Thursdays 1:30-3:00 – Online
This group provides a warm and supportive environment in which you can experiment constructively with new ways of relating to others, share personal experiences, express fears and concerns, and get support and feedback. People participate in this group for a number of reasons including having difficulties in relationships, finding their relationships are not satisfying, being curious about how others perceive them, and seeking support when experimenting with new relational behaviors and confidential environment for group members to share information and support each other.
Tuesdays 3:00-4:30 pm - Online
This virtual support group is designed for students who have lost a loved one through death. The overall mission is to provide space, acceptance and support for students to mourn the loss of their loved one and to acknowledge the many feelings associated with grief and loss. This semi-structured support group will provide information on unique and different styles of grieving, as well as challenges of grieving. The group will also provide a space to discuss helpful strategies to support each student in their unique grief journey.
Thursdays 1:00-2:00 – Online
*5-week group, offered twice during the semester
A co-ed Hatha Yoga group that provides a holistic approach to mood and symptom management. Using a combination of gentle physical poses, breathing and relaxation techniques, this group allows participants to feel more connected and balanced within the body and mind. A trauma sensitive, person-centered approach will be utilized and no previous yoga experience is necessary.
Tuesdays 2:30-4:00 - Online
This semi-structured support group is committed to providing an affirming space for Students of Color to reflect on their experiences at a Predominately White Institution. In this group we recognize the unique challenges of Students of Color and aim to foster a community for students to give voice to their experiences, gain support, and develop healthy coping strategies. Topics explored in this group include but are not limited to: navigating microaggressions, feelings of isolation, imposter syndrome, family/social relationships, and maintaining healthy self-care in the current socio-political climate.
Mondays 1:00-2:30 – Online
This group will provide a safe, supportive, and comfortable place for international students to discuss adjustment stressors and cross-cultural experiences in the U.S. The group will also provide a safe and confidential environment for group members to share information and support each other.
Wednesdays 1:30-3:00 pm – Online
A structured female only group for students who want to explore their relationship with body image concerns (including size, weight and other body insecurities) as well as concerns with food (shame and negative self-talk surrounding food intake, calorie counting, bingeing, purging, restricting, overexercising, etc). Individuals with eating concerns, eating disorders or disordered/disrupted eating patterns as well as those with body image concerns would be eligible. It is beneficial for students who are in various stages of preoccupation with food and body size. This group will teach skills to live in the present, deal with stress, manage difficult emotions, and handle interpersonal conflict. It will also assist clients in connecting with and living in their bodies more effectively. Group members have to be in individual therapy concurrently.
Tuesdays 3:00-4:30 pm – Online
This is a group for students who are questioning or exploring their gender identity and/or their sexual identity. It is also for students who identify as gender variant, transgender, lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or queer. The goal of the group is to provide a safe, supportive and confidential forum to talk about multiple identities, coming out, relationships with family and friends, dating, academics, transitioning, homophobia, transphobia, the “isms”, and other issues of interest to members.
Thursdays 2:30-4:00 pm – Online
iRest meditation recognizes that we interpret our human experiences through our constantly changing thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations.This yoga-based meditation practice also incorporates psychology and neuroscience in training group members to welcome and engage these changing states while in a relaxed state. Members will learn to focus and release attention in a way that cultivates concentration, letting go when feeling stuck and tapping into their unchanging wholeness of Being.This can lead to a stronger sense of feeling secure and safe with themselves, while also feeling more connected to themselves and others. No previous meditation experience.
Thursdays 3:00-4:30 pm – Online OR
Fridays 10:00-11:30 am – Online
*5-week group, offered twice during the semester
This structured group will provide students with education and coping strategies to help with stress, anxiety, and mood management. Some of the topics covered may include self-care, relaxation and effective stress management, coping with anxiety in healthy ways, and increasing positive emotions.
Tuesdays 1:00-2:30 pm – Online
This group is designed to allow graduate and non-traditional students to explore the unique challenges they face in a safe and supportive environment. It can help students explore their identity, find new ways of relating to others, recognize how stressors impact them, and share personal experiences. The group can assist students in finding alternative ways of looking at life’s challenges to enable the development of healthier coping strategies.
Mondays 11:00 am-12:30 pm – Online
Self-compassion involves being warm and understanding toward ourselves when we suffer, fail, or feel inadequate. Self-compassion is the opposite of ignoring our pain or punishing ourselves with self-judgment. Research suggest that the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion can help people regulate emotions, engage in healthy self-care, and respond to adversity in resilient ways. This group will help students learn the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion in order to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, and life challenges in healthy and balanced ways.
Mondays 3:00-4:30 pm – Online
Are you feeling stuck in your studying – finding yourself easily distracted or procrastinating? This group teaches psychological tools to help students better manage the thoughts and feelings that can negatively impact academic functioning, and helps students to act more in line with their academic goals.
Same-day emergency consultations are available throughout the day at the North Campus office. If you are worried about yourself, a family member, roommate or friend, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible. A counselor is available to meet with students in crisis when not being seen immediately could lead to serious consequences. We provide emergency consultations for:
Student Life
University at Buffalo
120 Richmond Quadrangle, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14261
Phone: (716) 645-2720; Fax: (716) 645-2175
On-Campus Resources:
Off-Campus Resources:
If you require mental health services that are beyond what Counseling Services can provide, we will often make referrals to community resources. You may be referred to a community provider if there is:
Short-term on campus mental health support
Student Life
University at Buffalo
120 Richmond Quadrangle, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14261
Phone: (716) 645-2720; Fax: (716) 645-2175
Need to talk? The Crisis Text Line provides 24-hour support for people experiencing a mental health or situational crisis. Users are connected to a trained Crisis Counselor, who will help them develop a plan to stay safe. Messages are confidential, anonymous and secure. Data usage while texting the Crisis Text Line is free and the number will not appear on a phone bill. Text: “GOT5” to 741-741
This information is designed to provide self-help resources for mental health. This website is not psychotherapy treatment. If you have questions, need help or just want someone to talk with, please contact Counseling Services.
On-Campus Resources:
Off-Campus Resources:
Faculty, staff, family members and other students can contact Counseling Services at any time if they are concerned about a student.
Learn how to deal with stress and find stress-relief events on campus.
Consultations are available for campus members, including students, parents, faculty and staff. You can request a consultation if you are concerned about a UB student. Contact Counseling Services to learn more.