Counseling Center

The Counseling Center is here to support your mental health and wellness through evidence-based, person-centered services.

We support and enhance your health and wellness by providing person-centered and strengths-based mental health services — counseling is a team effort between you and your counselor, built on a unique and confidential relationship. Our well qualified and supportive staff can provide tools and resources to help manage stress and navigate a variety of challenges including:

Anxiety / depression
Relationship concerns
Cultural diversity issues
College adjustment / life transitions

Academic or career stress
Substance use
Trauma / violence
Crisis services

Hours of Operation

Phone: (315) 267-2330
Email: counseling@potsdam.edu

Semester Hours: 8:30 a.m.- Noon & 1 - 4:30 p.m.
Summer & Winter Break Hours: 8 a.m. - Noon & 1 - 4 p.m.

Our offices are located at 131 Van Housen Hall.

Call or stop in to make an appointment!

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Daytime crisis services are accessible by calling or walking into the Counseling Center at 131 Van Housen Hall, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the academic year (except when campus offices are closed for the holidays). The phone number is (315) 267-2330.

After Hours & Weekends

Call University Police at (315) 267-2222, dial 911, or go to the nearest emergency room (50 Leroy Street, Potsdam, NY).

24 Hour Crisis Hotlines

St. Lawrence County Crisis Helpline - Citizen Advocates: Call (315) 265-2422
Renewal House: Call (315) 379-9845
All Nations Hotline: Text "Support" to 33464
National Crisis Text Line: Text 741741
National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), chat online or text "Start" to 88788
National Runaway Safeline: Call 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929) or chat online
Rape Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN): Call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or chat online
Suicide and Crisis Hotline: Dial/Text 988
Translifeline: Call 1-877-565-8860
Trevor Project: Call 1-800-488-7386 or text "Start" to 678-678
Veterans Crisis Line: Call 1-800-273-8255, chat online or text 838255

Go to the RRH Canton-Potsdam Hospital emergency room and ask for assistance, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. In Potsdam, the emergency room is located at:

Address: 50 Leroy Street, Potsdam, NY 13676
Phone: (315) 265-3300

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What to Expect

The Counseling Center serves to provide an opportunity for students to address various challenges to promote success.

Services

The Counseling Center provides support to all members of the College community regarding mental health related concerns.

Off-Campus Referrals

Students who require long-term and/or intensive support will generally be referred to community resources for ongoing treatment.

Confidentiality

Records at the Center are strictly confidential. Records are only released with the student's written consent or by a court-ordered subpoena. Information about student contacts for psychological services is not released to other campus departments, outside agencies, family, or friends. Even the fact that a student has been at the Counseling Center is confidential.

Please review the Informed Consent for Student Counseling Services (PDF).

Due to legal and ethical guidelines, there are certain situations in which all counselors will break confidentiality and are obligated to take action to protect a client and others from harm. These situations include the following:

Your counselor has any cause to believe that you are at imminent risk of killing yourself or someone else.
If your counselor believes that a child, an elderly person, or a member of a vulnerable population is being abused or neglected, he or she will be required to file a report with the appropriate state agency.
In the event of a legal proceeding, a judge may order or subpoena your counseling records if the judge determines that the case demands it.