Types of Counseling Services

The Counseling Center now offers walk-in hours for students to meet for a 20 minute session with the counselor on duty. The hours will be:

• Monday & Tuesday: 10am – 12pm
• Wednesday & Thursday: 2pm – 4pm

Going to college can bring on a lot of overall lifestyle changes. Be sure to reach out to Counseling Services if you're struggling with stress or anxiety related to classmate or instructor conflicts, roommate issues, academic/life balance, family conflicts, LGBTQ+ and gender identity concerns, domestic violence, or substance abuse.

Any student can experience times of crisis. A crisis situation can be suicidal thoughts or actions, panic attacks, sexual assault, death of a loved one, or any intense or traumatic event that may cause someone to feel distressed or afraid. At the OCC Counseling Center, we are trained to help support students in times of crisis. Students who need immediate support from a counselor due to a crisis may come in to the Counseling Center for a walk-in appointment with the next available counselor.

At the OCC Counseling Center, licensed counselors provide short-term therapy (up to 6 sessions per semester) for students with anxiety, depression, and grief. Counseling is free and confidential for all OCC students. Our counselors can also help find off-campus treatment providers and mental health resources in the community.

OCC's TelePsychiatry program puts students in touch with therapists at SUNY Upstate Medical University’s Department of Psychiatry using a secure audio/video app. Scheduled TelePsychiatry sessions offer the exact same service as in-person visits, only done remotely on a laptop or iPad. Speaking with therapists remotely gives students the flexibility to talk with mental health professionals on their own time, while balancing their busy academic schedules.

Middle Earth offers peer assistance services to SUNY school students. Student volunteers can help their peers address common concerns such as:

• Adjustment to college life
• Academic concerns
• Finding sources of help and support
• Just needing to talk

The hotline (518-442-5777) is available during the fall and spring semesters, with the following schedule:

• Monday - Thursday: 1 p.m. to midnight
• Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 24 hours