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Funding of services

The Decker Student Health Services Center and University Counseling Center are funded by the student health fee.  Therefore, visits to see caregivers at either Center are free of charge for registered students. Some items, such as vaccines and some medications, are available for a charge. A list of these items and their cost is available by request. Students will be notified of any items' charge before they are dispensed.  Once the item is accepted, a charge will be entered into the campus billing system and the student will make the payment at Student Accounts.

Services at the University Counseling Center (UCC)

The University Counseling Center (UCC) provides free counseling and/or referral services, available for all currently enrolled students. We provide individual counseling in-person and via telemental health. Other services include consultation, referral, group counseling and a variety of outreach and programming activities. The UCC operates within a brief treatment model. While we are able to be helpful with a wide variety of the problems that college students present, some problems call for more specialized, long-term or intensive treatment. In such cases our treatment coordination team will help students find an off-campus professional by providing a tailored list of professionals who can provide the appropriate service(s). The UCC does not offer mandated counseling and does not offer court-ordered assessment or treatment.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis and need counseling during business hours, we will arrange a same-day appointment or, if needed, work with you to get you in as quickly as possible. If you have an emergency, you may call the 91���� General Crisis Hotline toll free at 607-762-2302, 91���� Police at 607-777-2393, or 988.

An “emergency” is defined by you, but can include feeling suicidal or homicidal, feeling very disoriented, or having unusual or disturbing thoughts (hearing voices or seeing things other people cannot hear or see).

After hours

If you have a mental-health related issue that is non life-threatening  and requires attention or consultation after business hours, you may contact the UCC's after-hours counselor by calling 607-777-2772 and then pressing 2. 

What is counseling?

Counseling is the process of talking to a professional about your thoughts, feelings, behavior, problems, experiences, relationships or whatever else is on your mind.  Your counselor will also help you to set and achieve goals related to your presenting concerns.  Counselors are non-judgmental and accepting.  In addition to listening and asking questions, counselors also give education and feedback, suggest strategies and work collaboratively to achieve student goals.

The first counseling appointment

The purpose of the initial meeting with a counselor is to determine how, and by whom, the student can best be helped. The meeting involves assessing various aspects of the problem and discussing a plan for follow-up. When possible, in that first meeting, the counselor may also recommend some steps that the student can take or self-help materials the student can access, as well as any potentially helpful campus resources.

Staff

The UCC is staffed by highly qualified counselors, including social workers and psychologists and licensed mental health counselors, who are sensitive to the many issues affecting students today. Staff members are friendly and down to earth, and help students to feel comfortable with the counseling process. Most staff members are generalists: meaning that they are knowledgeable about a variety of psychological issues (much like a primary care doctor). In addition, counselors may have areas of particular interest or specialty. 

Interns

In addition to the senior counseling staff, the UCC has graduate interns in social work and clinical psychology who provide counseling services to our students. These are advanced graduate students who are supervised by a licensed UCC staff member. Based on the student's schedule availability, we may look to match a student seeking counseling or other services with a graduate intern for an initial meeting to discuss care options and possibly ongoing meetings. The student will be informed of this when they are offered an appointment and they have the option to decline and meet instead with a UCC senior staff member.

Services at the Decker Student Health Service Center (DSHSC)

General medical care is available at the Decker Student Health Services (DSHSC) with nurse practitioners and physicians. The DSHSC is staffed by a highly qualified medical providers, nurses, clerical and technical personnel. Our medical providers are primary care providers (family physicians, internists, family nurse practitioners). At times, the providers at the DSHSC help to train graduate student nurse practitioners. Appointments at the DSHSC may involve one of these student nurse practitioners and the student will be informed if one of them is working during their visit. The student will be able to opt out of having them involved in their care. DSHSC providers are skilled in diagnosing and treating the medical and mental health difficulties which commonly affect students. All of our providers are also certified by their medical specialty boards.

Psychiatry at DSHSC

DSHSC also provides psychiatric services. We encourage students to maintain connections with their home providers and to see those providers over breaks for continued care. We can provide private space for students wishing to engage in tele-health services with home providers for uninterrupted care from home. If a student does not have an established home provider, we offer psychiatric evaluation and management at an out-patient level of care. For chronic and recurring conditions requiring longer term interventions, we refer students to engage in off-campus specialty services and aid in the referral process.

Psychiatric services are provided by a psychiatrist and a psychiatric nurse practitioner, who help to train medical residents, nurse practitioners and pyschiatric nurse practitioners on occasion. This service offers medication treatment within a collaborative care model after students are established in counseling services, either on– or off–campus.  Before a student’s first appointment, they will participate in a brief phone triage process to assess their needs and ensure referral to appropriate services.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, Harpur’s Ferry, a student-run ambulance service, provides emergency medical care and transportation 24 hours a day when classes are in session. The ambulance is staffed by certified emergency medical technicians (EMTs), advanced EMTs and personnel certified in advanced first aid. Students on– and off–campus are eligible for this free service by calling 607-777-3333.

After hours

If a student needs urgent (but not emergency) care when the DSHSC is closed, students may call our after hours triage line (833-359-0167) or the student may want to visit one of the urgent care facilities in the area (cost of care at these locations is the responsibility of the student). 

Telehealth services

Telehealth may include medical or mental health services. It refers to services that occur via secure phone or video conference. Health and Counseling Services uses HIPAA compliant video conferencing software. Telehealth may be offered to improve access to services for 91���� students when significant barriers to in-person service exist such as weather, illness or transportation problems. Students can request telehealth services, although these may not be appropriate for all situations.

Requirements for using telehealth

• Students may only engage in telehealth sessions when they are physically in New York State. The student's location provider will confirm their location during each session. 
• The student and the provider will engage in sessions only from a private location where the student will not be overheard or interrupted.
• The student will use their own computer or device which they will ensure has updated operating and anti-virus software.
• The student will not record any sessions, nor will Health and Counseling Services staff record any sessions without the student's consent. 
• The student agrees that their emergency contact may be called upon to contact them or to alert local authorities in an emergency situation.
• The student will have a phone available as a backup if there are technical problems with video conferencing.

What are the student's rights in regard to telehealth?

• The student is not required to use telehealth.
• The student has the right to request assistance with accessing other service options which may not be with Health and Counseling.  
• The student can withdraw this consent at any time without affecting the student's right to future care of treatment in Health and Counseling services.
• The laws that protect the confidentiality of the student's personal information in a face-to-face setting also apply to telehealth.

Disclosure of potential telehealth risks

• Sessions could be disrupted, delayed or communications distorted due to technical failures.
• Telehealth involves alternative forms of communication that may reduce visual and/or auditory cues and increase the likelihood of misunderstanding between the patient and provider.
• The provider may determine telehealth in not an appropriate treatment option or stop telehealth treatment at any time if the student's condition changes or telehealth presents barriers to treatment. In such cases, the student may be redirected to other services.

Confidentiality

The confidentiality of student interactions with the UCC, the DSHSC/Psychiatric Services are protected in accordance with New York state law and the ethical standards of the counseling, medical, and psychiatric professions. Confidentiality means the staff will not communicate the fact that you have utilized services, nor the content of any visits, to anyone outside of Health and Counseling services without your written permission. However, there are legally mandated exceptions to this rule. These include situations in which the student may be a danger to themselves or to others; if there is suspected child neglect or abuse; if there is suspected elder neglect or abuse of a patient at a residential health care facility; and when records are subpoenaed by a court of law. Additionally, the NY SAFE Act requires practitioners to alert authorities if a person is likely to engage in conduct that will result in serious harm to themselves or others. This law is designed to limit a suicidal or homicidal person’s access to firearms.

The confidentiality of the records for students under the age of 18 is also protected if they have sought care for pregnancy-related care, abortion-related care, family planning and contraception services, diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections or HIV, care after a sexual assault, substance use care and outpatient mental health treatment. Otherwise, the parent or guardian of students under the age of 18 may be able to access the records of the minor in their care.

Students have the right to review UCC and/or DSHSC privacy policies. Students may also request a review of their own records, as well as request amendments to their own records. Such requests should be made in writing to the Clinical Director of University Counseling Services, the Medical Director of Decker Student Health Services, the Clinical Director of Psychiatry Services or the Director of Health and Counseling. 

Hours

UCC – Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

DSHSC – Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Psychiatry – Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

NOTE: Summer and holiday hours for all locations are Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Scheduling 

University Counseling Center

Initial appointment scheduling is typically done through the University Counseling Center reception staff, and ongoing appointments are typically done through the individual counselor. You can phone 607-777-2772.  Students are asked to make their own appointments. Wait time for initial appointments may vary depending on times of the semester. If your circumstance is urgent or an emergency, we will make an effort to get you in quickly.

Medical appointments

Medical appointments may be made online through our  or by calling 607-777-2221.

Psychiatric appointments

Complete the initial appointment request form:

• Go to the .
• Sign in and click on "FORMS" on the left side of the screen.
• Scroll down to "PSYCHIATRY" and click on "PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES INITIAL APPOINTMENT FORM."
• Complete and submit the form.

Attendance

When a student makes an appointment at the UCC or DSHSC, the time is reserved especially for that student. If the student cannot keep the appointment, it is expected that the student will cancel the appointment through the patient portal or call as early as possible to notify the provider so that they can make the time available to another student. If the student does not cancel the appointment and does not attend the appointment, the student will be charged a no-show fee. If the student wishes to continue receiving services after missing the appointment, the student may still schedule another appointment. If a student demonstrates a pattern of missed appointments, the pattern will be discussed with the student. If missed appointments then continue, the UCC and/or DSHSC may suspend or terminate the student's ability to receive services, in which case they will provide the student with alternative treatment options elsewhere.

Health insurance

Because our services are free, neither University Counseling Center nor Decker Student Health Services Center bill any insurance company. However, it is important for students to have health insurance coverage to pay for services that are not covered by the health fee. This includes things such as ER visits, laboratory testing, radiology services and referral to off-campus specialists or counselors. Students are strongly advised to become familiar with their health insurance coverage and its reimbursement procedures as it applies to off-campus services.

We welcome diversity

The 91���� Counseling Center and Decker Student Health Services Center are committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for everyone who visits us. We believe diversity enlivens and enriches our community. The range of diversity we value includes, but is not limited to:  ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, gender, physical or mental ability, socio-economic status, spirituality or religion, size, appearance and age. We extend a particular welcome to students who may be experiencing discrimination on the basis of their differences.  We strive to treat all students with equal respect and dignity. We are also committed to taking part in activities and discussions that will help us continue to grow in our understanding of diversity.

Aggregate data collection

The UCC and Decker Student Health Services Center collect student data and conducts surveys to improve the services we provide. When we publish data, it is grouped together in “aggregate” form, meaning that only overall numbers are presented (for example, total % of students reporting depressed mood). We never publish individual data.

Website information

For further information about the UCC, visit the UCC website.

For further information about the DSHSC, visit the DSHSC website.

For further information about psychiatry services, visit the psychiatry website.

Question, concerns or complaints

We want students to be satisfied with their counseling and medical care while they are here. Students have the right to quality services delivered professionally and respectfully. If a student has concerns about privacy, services, their caregiver, or how they are being helped, please tell us.  We want, expect and need student feedback. If a student wishes to see a different counselor or medical provider, they may request that.

For concerns related to counseling care, contact the Clinical Director of the Counseling Center, at 607-777-2772.  For concerns related to medical or psychiatric care, please contact the Medical Director at 607-777-2221.  If you feel the issue is not resolved, you may appeal to the Director of Health and Counseling at 607-777-2221 or the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Chief Wellness Officer at 607-777-4797.  Complaints may also be registered at the U.S. Office of Civil Rights N.Y. Office at 1-800-368-1019; TDD:1-800-537-7697.