Counseling Services
Counseling Services promotes the personal well-being and academic success of students by providing brief mental health services, educational programs, crisis intervention, and campus community consultation.
Fall 2021: Updates and Information
What to expect: Fall 2021
- Beginning August 23rd, students will start with a virtual Needs Assessment appointment. Once assigned to a counselor, students will have the option of meeting in-person or via teletherapy.
- If you are experiencing a mental health emergency during the hours of 8:30 and 5:00 p.m., please call Counseling Services at 716-645-2720 for support.
- Help available after hours. Call 716-645-2720 and press 2 if you need to speak to a crisis counselor when we are closed.
- 15 different Virtual Group Therapy options available, including Virtual Grief Support Group; call 716-645-2720 for info
Make an Appointment
Call 716-645-2720 for Counseling Services. We will work with you to get the help you need.
Letters of support
NOTE: Students should not pursue services at UB Counseling Services (UBCS) for the sole purpose of obtaining a letter of support, including one for emotional support animals. UBCS does not provide letters at the first appointment, which includes letters for academic withdrawal, and cannot provide documentation regarding a student's mental health without a history of services at UBCS during the specified time period. If necessary, students are encouraged to seek letters of support from individuals directly involved in their care such as past or present psychological/psychiatric providers, other medical providers or family members.
Meet the Counseling Team
Our caring, experienced team includes psychologists, social workers and other mental health professionals who are here to help you.
Services
Learn more about the depth and breadth of mental health services and information available to students.
Our Values Related to Social Justice
We openly affirm and celebrate students of all backgrounds, recognizing the beauty and value of all intersecting identities, both visible and invisible. As we continue to integrate these values into our daily practices, we also acknowledge that a clear statement on our stance is long overdue. Further, our responsibility as allies and advocates extends beyond these words.
As mental health providers, we see the traumatic impact of systems of oppression, including but not limited to White supremacy, Racism, Sexism, Transphobia, Homophobia, Xenophobia, Ableism, Ageism, Classism, Sizeism, and Colonialism. The cumulative impact of these oppressive systems diminish our physical and mental health. While we understand these systems negatively impact us all, we acknowledge the disproportionate impact on communities that are systemically marginalized.
We recognize our responsibility to challenge unjust systems and provide support for individuals most impacted by these injustices as part of providing compassionate, inclusive, and respectful care for all students. We also acknowledge our imperfections and participation in upholding oppressive systems through our actions and inactions. We commit to examining our internal biases and privileges while actively challenging systems of oppression, because privilege equals responsibility.
We close with an invitation for all students to utilize our trauma-informed services, particularly those who may be hesitant to seek standard/traditional mental health care.
Please see below for both UB and national resources aimed at supporting students who are directly impacted by systems of oppression.
Mental Health Counseling
Stress
Suicide, Depression, Grief
Healthy Behavior
Crisis Text Line
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
Conducting Research with Counseling Services
As a member of the university community, Counseling Services is committed to supporting and disseminating research. The office makes efforts to develop collaborations between staff, colleagues and students on empirical research and theoretical papers, both here at the University at Buffalo, and at other colleges and universities. Following is some general information about conducting research with our office; please contact us to learn more.
Guiding Principles for Research
- Research must not interfere with Counseling Services client care; impact on usual Counseling Services procedures should be minimized
- Measures to safeguard clients’ welfare must be clearly outlined; risks to clients must be negligible
- Professional ethical guidelines must be carefully adhered to
- Priority will be given to studies that clearly benefit university and college counseling center practices and clients
Basic Requirements for Research
- Research conducted by a student must have a faculty advisor; this advisor’s name and contact information must be provided
- You must develop your research proposal in consultation with Counseling Services; do not assume we will be able to approve a proposal without modification
- You should obtain Institutional Review approval only after your proposal has been approved by Counseling Services
Minimal Structure for Research Proposals
- Statement of purpose, including how this study will benefit counseling center practices
- Research methodology, with details about impact on usual center procedures and on clients’ experience
- Proposed statistical methods
- Expected findings and hypotheses
Consultations
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.
Featured Programs and Services
Take the pledge and join the new mental illness anti-stigma campaign that is happening in our area through a coalition of Erie County mental health and social services agencies called Join the Conversation – Let’s Talk Stigma.
This website offers numerous links to helpful resources for students who are learning online.
Find an Off-Campus Provider
ThrivingCampus makes it easier for you to find mental health professionals near campus or anywhere in the United States.
If you are interested in accessing counseling services on your own, we offer a community provider database that can help you find a compatible provider in the community.
Opportunities
Use the following links to select the type of opportunity that interests you.
You Might Be Looking For
Student Services Help
You’ll find the answers you need in our Get Help section.
Health and Wellness: A Collaborative Approach
Visit the Health and Wellness page to learn how Counseling Services, Health Promotion and Health Services work together to provide a stepped approach to your care.