Frequently Asked Questions
The fastest way to get started and see a counselor is to come to walk-in hours Monday through Friday between 9:00-12:00pm and 1:30-4:30pm. Walk-in hours are available every weekday during the academic semester. To see a counselor during walk-in hours, come to the office or call us at 315-228-7385. Walk-in counseling is available to all students for routine appointments, urgent issues, or crisis situations. If walk-in hours do not fit your schedule, you may email us at counselingcenter@colgate.edu to request a scheduled appointment.
Great! We are happy to try to connect students with a specific counselor that they want to work with. The first step to start counseling is to attend a walk-in counseling session and at that meeting you can let the walk-in counselor know which counselor you would like to see for a follow-up appointment. If walk-in hours do not fit your schedule, you may email us at counselingcenter@colgate.edu to request a scheduled appointment with this counselor. Visit Meet the Staff to learn more about our counseling staff.
No! Counseling services are free to all currently enrolled students. We do not bill the student’s insurance.
All of our counselors are licensed in the state of New York and are ethically and legally bound to uphold confidentiality, meaning they will not share any of your information with anyone outside of the counseling center team. There are several situations where a counselor may be required to share information if a student is actively in danger, such as a student planning to take action to end their life or hurt someone else. Counselors are also mandated to report concern about future child or elder abuse, or if a judge subpoenas counseling records. These are rare circumstances, and in the event that one of these scenarios comes up during a student’s care the counselor will make every effort to speak with the student before sharing any confidential information.
The counseling center offers bi-weekly individual appointments. For students interested in weekly contact, we have robust group therapy program and groups will meet on a weekly basis for the full duration of the academic semester.
Contact our office and ask for an appointment with Dr. Niki Keating. Specify that you are interested in discussing an ADHD evaluation. There will be some paperwork for you to complete and a meeting with Dr. Keating to determine next steps. We work with off-campus providers to assist in this process and Dr. Keating can help you get connected. Alternatively, you can contact the Office of Disability Services and inquire about ADHD testing if you believe you may benefit from academic accommodations.
Counseling is a collaborative process that is tailored to help you cope with your concerns and identify a plan for support.
- During your initial session, you and your counselor will review your immediate concerns and discuss any relevant history.
- The counselor will focus on learning about your goals for treatment and collaborate on a plan for achieving the goals.
- The counselor will discuss treatment options which might include individual sessions, group therapy, or referrals to psychiatry, community provider, or other Colgate health, campus, or community resource.
- At the end of the appointment, the counselor will make recommendations and discuss follow-up options based on your individual needs.
The Counseling Center provides students with the opportunity to explore a variety of issues and challenges with one of our amazing counselors in a comfortable setting. Students seek counseling for an array of concerns including, but not limited to, depression, anxiety and stress, roommate, relationship, and family conflicts, trauma, bereavement or grief from a personal loss, self-esteem issues, and adjustment.
Group therapy is a series of therapy sessions that usually include five to ten students and one or two group leaders. Students in the group are encouraged to talk about what is bothering them and provide others with feedback and support. Members control what they share with others in the group. Through the course of group therapy, members become better able to express their feelings about others. This form of therapy gives members opportunities to try new ways of interacting with others in a safe environment.
No, and actually our center has never had a waitlist. Students can be seen without an appointment Monday through Friday by attending our walk-in hours between the times of 9:00am-12:00pm and 1:30pm-4:30pm.
If you need to speak with a counselor after business hours, you may reach the on-call counselor by dialing 315-228-7385 and following the prompt to dial #2. Please note: The on-call counselor is available for immediate assistance, not on-going therapy.
The counseling center partners with a telepsychiatry provider through Mantra. Students in need of a medication as a supplement to treatment received at the counseling center can be referred to a telepsychiatry evaluation and continue to work with the psychiatric provider if they choose to follow their recommendations.
Some students continue to see their home therapist while at Colgate. These students may also utilize our walk-in hours if they require a check-in or need immediate problem solving. In order to ensure continuity of care, the Colgate counseling center may request permission to speak with your home therapist in order to coordinate support.