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.
At counseling, you can expect to have open and honest discussions with a trained counselor. In a safe environment, you can talk about your feelings, behaviors, relationships, life experiences and circumstances. After, your counselor will work to help you identify your strengths, find resources, and begin a process of change and growth. This practice is designed to help you make healthy choices. Ultimately, resulting in more satisfying relationships and make progress toward your life goals.
Counseling is available at no cost to all undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled at UB. These services are voluntary, confidential as permitted by law, and free (the cost is covered by the mandatory comprehensive 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.
When you meet with a counselor, you are seeing someone who has experience helping students deal with a wide range of personal and academic difficulties. The Counseling Services staff includes qualified, trained mental health professionals, as well as advanced graduate student interns with backgrounds in psychology and social work. A psychiatric nurse practitioner is also available to evaluate the need for and to prescribe medication, as appropriate.
When you’re in a crisis or dealing with stress, you may find it helpful to talk with a trained counselor. Every semester, students come to Counseling Services to get help with a variety of concerns, including:
The first step in getting help involves scheduling a same-day needs assessment appointment with a counselor. The purpose of the needs assessment is to develop a clear understanding of what brought you to Counseling Services and the type of assistance you need. During this meeting you and the assessment counselor will discuss your concerns, and your needs for additional services. Based on this discussion, your counselor will recommend appropriate services. These may include any of the following:
Counseling Services offers counseling for groups and individuals — including emergency counseling and someone to talk to 24/7.
Explore personal issues, share common concerns and learn about the way you interact with others. Group counseling provides a unique opportunity for you to try out new ways of behaving and discover new skills. Your counselor will recommend group counseling when he or she believes it is the best way to address your concerns. 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 see 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. Groups normalize struggles and members learn from each other.
A typical group includes 6-12 students and 1-2 therapists, and meets once per week. At group counseling, you will usually recreate the issues that brought you to counseling in the first place. Under the skilled direction of the group therapists, the group is able to give support, offer alternatives, or — when appropriate — gently confront you. 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 will not be forced to tell all of your deepest thoughts, feelings and secrets to the group. 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 ensure that you will not be verbally attacked by anyone present. We understand that you may be anxious at first. But even if you have trouble talking to people, almost everyone starts sharing with the group after a few sessions. People remember what it’s like to be new to the group, which means they’ll be likely to support you when you share.
Some people assume that group counseling takes longer than individual counseling because you will have to share the time with others. Actually, group counseling is often more efficient than individual counseling for numerous reasons:
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. This group will also provide a space to discuss helpful strategies to support each student in their unique grief journey.
Please contact UB Counseling Services at 716-645-2720 and ask to speak to a counselor about joining the group.
Different types of groups are offered each semester. Some groups are designed for a specific population or issue, while others consist of skill building and experiential learning.
* Students must complete a phone consultation with a UBCS counselor in order to participate in a group. Contact Counseling Services for more information.
* Fall groups begin meeting in the middle of September and are then closed to new members. Five-week groups are offered twice and accept students at the beginning and mid-point of the semester.
Mondays 1:00-2:30 – 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.
Mondays 2:30-4:00 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.
Thursdays 2:30-4:00 – 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.
Wednesdays 11:00-12:30 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 summer
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.
Wednesdays 3:00-4:30 – 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.
Thursdays 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 3:30-4:30 pm – Online
Weekly drop-in group that will offer student athletes space for support and connection as they navigate losses related to the pandemic, social isolation, changes in structure, routine, and identity.
**Weekly drop-in format, does NOT require a needs assessment.
Tuesdays 2:00-3:30 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.
Tuesdays 1:00-2:30 pm – Online
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.
Mondays 3:00-4:30 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.
Fridays 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.
Thursdays 3:30-4:30 pm – Online
This is a free weekly meeting which brings together U.S. and international students for conversation, friendship, and fun. Students play games, talk, and enjoy getting to know each other. International tea and snacks are provided.
**Weekly drop-in format, does NOT require a needs assessment.
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.
Student Life
University at Buffalo
120 Richmond Quadrangle, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14261
Phone: (716) 645-2720; Fax: (716) 645-2175
If your emergency occurs after business hours:
Call 716-645-2720 for Counseling Services. We will work with you to get the help you need.
If you require mental health services that are beyond what Counseling Services can provide, we will often make referrals to community resources. Some of the issues that are commonly addressed through referral to community providers include:
- A need for weekly appointments
- An inability or unwillingness to provide the necessary information to thoroughly assess symptoms
- Non-compliance with treatment recommendations including regular session attendance
- The need for specialized services, such as inpatient or intensive outpatient substance abuse, eating disorder, or mood disorder treatment; and/or court-mandated assessment or treatment requirements
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
Primary, non-emergency medical care
Student Life
University at Buffalo
Michael Hall, 3435 Main Street, South Campus
Buffalo, NY 14214
Phone: (716) 829-3316; Fax: (716) 829-2564
Preventative health and wellness education
Student Life
University at Buffalo
114 Student Union, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: (716) 645-2837; Fax: (716) 645-6234
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.
A variety of workshops are available weekdays in our Upcoming Events listing from the UB Events calendar to meet the needs of undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff. No registration or RSVP is required, return as often as you like to join us online – we do recommend downloading Zoom in advance.
Psychoeducational workshops are intended to provide information, skills and support. These workshops are not a form of mental health treatment. If you would like to speak with a counselor, please call us at 716-645-2720.
Off-Campus:
On-Campus:
Any Location:
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 groups and individuals — including student groups, faculty and staff. You can request a consultation to help you deal with a traumatic event on campus, or to help enhance organizational and interpersonal effectiveness. Contact Counseling Services to learn more.
