Appointments
When to Seek Counseling
There are a variety of concerns that can be successfully addressed by consulting with an objective individual who is experienced in assessment and treatment and is bound by confidentiality. These include:
- Confusion about life decisions
- Concern about family and relationship to family
- Problems in peer and romantic relationships
- Concern about sexuality
- Worry about stability and balance
- Symptoms such as anxiety or depression that are interfering with academic and social functioning
- Preoccupation with body image and eating
- Concern about use and abuse of alcohol and/or other substances
- Feedback from others that behavior is problematic and needs to be addressed
Confidentiality
For counseling services to be most effective, respecting the confidentiality of students is fundamental. All interactions with the Counseling Center, including content of your sessions, your records, scheduling of or attendance at appointments and progress in counseling are confidential within the staff of the Center. Counseling Center records remain at the Center and are not a part of the college record. Please note that we contract with an outside agency, ProtoCall Services, to provide a portion of our after-hours on-call coverage. For continuity of care and to help ensure appropriate management of potential emergency situations, we exchange risk-related information with this agency, as necessary. Their records are also confidential. Information can be shared with other parties only in the following circumstances:
- A student requests or consents for information to be given to another party
- A student presents a serious, immediate physical danger to self or others
- A student reports current abuse of a minor, elderly or disabled person
- A student's record is mandated by a court of law
Counselors encourage students to ask about confidentiality concerns.
Making AN IN-PERSON APPOINTMENT AT THE COUNSELING CENTER
Appointments can be made from 9:00am to 12:00pm & 1:00pm to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday, by calling 518-580-5555. When a student indicates that their appointment request is an emergency, they will receive a confidential form that will help us triage their needs. Situations involving safety-related risk will be given highest priority and will always be offered a same-day appointment. When appropriate, students who are in high distress but who are not experiencing a safety-related emergency will be offered immediate contact with an on-call clinician. For emergencies that occur after hours and on weekends, when the college is in session, please call 518-580-5555 and follow the prompts to be immediately connected with our emergency crisis service.
MAKING A TELETHERAPY APPOINTMENT THROUGH BetterMynd
All currently enrolled Skidmore students are eligible to use BetterMynd. You can register here to access care. Teletherapy is a great option for students seeking after hours or weekend appointments, and those seeking a diverse range of specialties and lived experiences.
How to Refer Others to the Counseling Center
If you are concerned about the emotional well-being of a student with whom you have contact, the most direct approach is to share your concern with that person by giving them concrete feedback on the troubling behaviors. If she/he agrees that there is a problem and wishes to do something to address it, you can then remind her/him that the Counseling Center is available to offer assistance. You may even offer to accompany the student to an initial appointment if doubt or discomfort about using the Center is expressed. If you are unsure about ways to proceed in making a referral, you may consult with one of the Counseling Center staff members, who will help you plan a strategy. If the problem is critical and/or involves safety issues, Counseling Center staff will involve appropriate on or off-campus resources to intervene.