Mental Health Counseling and Support

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.

Types of Services

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:

Self-Help Resources

Online self-help resources

Educational Workshops

Skills-based workshops

Mental Health Counseling

Same-day needs assessment appointments
Brief individual or couples counseling
Weekly group counseling
Emergency consultations

Evaluations and Referrals

Evaluation for psychiatric medication and monitoring
Referrals to an off-campus mental health provider
Connections to other offices and supports on campus

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.

What is Counseling?

In counseling sessions, you can expect to have open and honest discussions with a trained counselor in a safe environment. Here, you can:

Talk about your feelings, behaviors, relationships, life experiences and circumstances (often by recreating the issues that brought you to counseling)
Work with your counselor to identify your strengths, find resources, and begin a process of change and growth
Learn how to make healthy choices, have more satisfying relationships and make progress toward your life goals

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:

Counselors will not provide anyone with information about a student, and will not let others know that a student is in counseling
Information about counseling will not go into a student’s academic record, and will not be given to parents, family or the government (including home governments for international students)

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.

Meet the Counselors

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:

Personal issues: stress, anxiety, depression, anger, loneliness, low self-esteem, low self-confidence, self-defeating behaviors, grief, suicidal feelings, different emotional states
Relationship issues: romantic relationship difficulties (finding, enhancing or ending a relationship), sexual concerns, roommate problems, family problems, getting along with others
Developmental issues: sense of identity, sexual orientation, adjustment to college, life transitions, cultural identity and adjustment
Academic concerns: performance anxiety, perfectionism, underachievement, procrastination, choice of major or career, life purpose and direction
International students: adjusting to U.S. culture, language difficulties, separation from family and friends, dating people from different cultures, coping with worries about visa and immigration issues
Other issues: effects of trauma, rape or sexual assault, substance abuse, body image (including eating disorders), healthy lifestyle choices, past or current sexual or physical abuse, drug or alcohol abuse, life-threatening illnesses

Make an appointment

Types of Counseling Available

Counseling Services offers counseling for groups and individuals, including emergency consultations.

Group Individual Couples International

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.

Learn from Others

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.

What You Can Expect

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.

You Decide How Much to Share

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.

Group Pre-Requisites

Students must complete a Needs Assessment with a UB Counseling Services counselor in order to participate in a group. Contact Counseling Services for more information.
Fall groups begin meeting in the middle/end of September and are then closed to new members except the five-week groups.
Five-week groups are offered twice per semester, and accept students at the beginning and mid-point of the semester.

Different types of groups are offered each semester with the following focus/themes:

Identity-Based Groups

BIPOC Support Group

Wednesdays 3:00-4:30 p.m., Drop-in Group
Intercultural and Diversity Center (IDC), 240 Student Union, North Campus

This drop-in group is committed to providing an affirming space for BIPOC students to reflect on their experiences at a Predominately White Institution. In this group, we recognize the unique experiences of BIPOC students 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, being first generation American, family/social relationships, and maintaining healthy self-care in the current socio-political climate.

LGBTQ+ Support Group

Wednesdays 3:00-4:30 p.m., Online

The LGBTQ+ Support Group is a safe space for students of all LGBTQ+ identities to build a sense of community. The group serves as a place to discuss and explore topics related to these identities, which may include coming out / not coming out, relationships with family and friends, dating and intimate relationships, transitioning, and other life experiences related to being an LGBTQ+ person. Topics may also include non-identity related life stressors that students want to discuss.

International Student Support Group

Wednesdays 3:00-4:30 p.m., In-Person, 120 Richmond Quad (North Campus)

This group provides a safe, supportive, and comfortable place for international students to discuss adjustment stressors and cross-cultural experiences in the U.S. The group also creates a safe and confidential environment for group members to share information and support each other.

Women's Group

Thursdays 12:30-2:00 p.m., In-Person, Michael Hall (South Campus)

This group is an interpersonal process group for graduate and undergraduate students who identify as female. Group members will work together to identify topics of discussion each week, which may include imposter syndrome, anxiety and depression, intersectional identities, sexual violence, family dynamics, work environments, assertiveness, boundaries, and relationships.

Mental Health & Wellness for Law School Students

Wednesdays 12:00-1:00 p.m., Drop-in Group

A weekly psychoeducational workshop series for UB Law students addressing a different mental health and wellness topic each week. Feel free to bring your lunch since all workshops take place at noon.

Understanding Self and Others

CONNECTIONS

Wednesdays 1:00-2:30 p.m., In-Person, 120 Richmond Quad (North Campus)

This group provides a warm and supportive environment where members can experiment constructively in a confidential environment 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.

Perfectly Imperfect: Art Journaling Group

Mondays 1:30-3:00 p.m., In-Person, 120 Richmond Quad (North Campus)
***5-week group, offered twice during the semester ***

Do you feel like what you accomplish is never quite good enough? Do you worry about making mistakes or failing at something? Perfectly Imperfect offers a reflective and playful time for self-connection and uses expressive art activities to learn ways to let go of perfectionism, develop self-compassion, and embrace who you are. Art journaling relies on the use of art supplies and creative techniques without the necessary pressure of a perfect result. The group offers an alternative means of self-expression and connecting with others. No previous experience with art in needed and all supplies will be provided.

Skills-Based

Coping Skills

Wednesdays 1:00-2:30 p.m., 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. This group is based on the dialectical behavior therapy approach.

flourish group

Tuesdays 1:30-2:30 p.m., Online

A semi-structured group for women who want to explore their relationship with body image, food, and emotions. This group is for individuals who are in various stages of preoccupation with food and body image concerns. Skills will be taught to live more intentionally and mindfully in the present, deal with stress, manage difficult emotions, and handle interpersonal conflict. Participants will also learn to connect with and live in their bodies more compassionately.

Emotional Wellness

Wednesdays 1:00-2:00 p.m., 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.

ADHD/Focus Skills Group * 5-week group *

Thursdays, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Online

This group is for students who experience symptoms of and/or have been diagnosed with ADHD. This 5-session structured group aims to help students enhance their ability to manage their attention and difficulties by teaching behavioral strategies and skills to improve their organization and reduce distractibility and procrastination, and by incorporating attention training (e.g., mindfulness) and other skills.

Mindfulness-Based

Mindful Self-compassion

Thursdays 2:00-3:30 p.m., In-Person, 120 Richmond Quad (North Campus)

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.

iRest Meditation

Tuesdays 1:30-3:00 p.m., Online

iRest meditation recognizes that we interpret our human experiences through our constantly changing thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. This yoga-based meditation practice incorporates psychology and neuroscience in training group members to welcome, connect with and engage these changing (and sometimes strong) 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 wholeness of Being; which is always present, despite the ups and downs of life. This can lead to a stronger sense of feeling secure and safe with ourselves, while also feeling more connected to ourselves and others. No previous meditation experience needed.

Languages We Speak

Counseling Services staff members may be able to speak to you in your native language. Some of the languages spoken:

Bulgarian
Cantonese
Hindi
Korean
Mandarin Chinese
Marathi
Spanish
Urdu

Emergencies

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or are concerned about someone, please call our office at 716-645-2720. 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 talk with students in crisis when not being seen immediately could lead to serious consequences. We provide emergency consultations for:

Suicidal thoughts
Thoughts about harming another person
Recent assault or abuse
Knowledge of another person being abused or assaulted

Concern about your own safety
Hallucinations
Recent death of a loved one
Witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event

Counseling Services

Student Life

University at Buffalo
120 Richmond Quadrangle, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14261

Phone: (716) 645-2720; Fax: (716) 645-2175

Mental Health Emergency?

On-Campus:

Call University Police: 716-645-2222
Call Counseling Services: 716-645-2720 (After hours: press option “2” to for the crisis counselor.)

Off-Campus:

Call 911
Crisis Services of Erie County 24-hour Hotline: 716-834-3131
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text 988 or dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
24-hour Crisis Text Line, text: “HOME” to 741741

Scope of Care

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:

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

Find a local provider

> Visit the ThrivingCampus website

Need Help?

Short-term on campus mental health support

Counseling Services

Student Life

University at Buffalo
120 Richmond Quadrangle, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14261

Phone: (716) 645-2720; Fax: (716) 645-2175

University at Buffalo
1st Floor Michael Hall, South Campus
Buffalo, NY 14214

Phone: (716) 829-5800

Additional Resources

Need to talk?

Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 support via text message. We're here for everything: anxiety, depression, suicide, and more. Text: Got5U to 741741

Disclaimer

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.