Student Counseling Services

Utica University Counseling Center

Room 204, Strebel Student Center | (315) 792-3094 | hwc@utica.edu

Life is tough, but so are you. Here in the Counseling Center, we understand that. University is a special time in one's life and as exciting as it may be, it can be stressful and challenging. We can be faced with unforeseen circumstances and/ or disappointments that create significant barriers and impact our mental health. We are here to support and provide you with the support you need to handle difficult times and improve your overall well being.

College is meant to be fun! Let us help you make the best of your experience!

Services are confidential and free of charge

How to make an appointment

Email us at hwc@utica.edu
Call our center directly at (315) 792-3094 or fax us at (315) 792-3700
Stop by our office - Room 204, Strebel Student Center - and make an appointment in person
If it is after hours and in a crisis, please contact Campus Safety at (315) 792-3046 and you will be connected to the Mobile Crisis Assessment Team.
In person and telehealth sessions are provided. Telehealth can be provided on a case to case basis when seen as appropriate and within New York state.

Smiles

HOURS:
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Please Note: While email is private, it is not confidential. If you would like to discuss a personal concern, we request that you contact us either in person or by telephone.

How to refer a friend or student

To make a referral to the Counseling Center, please fill out this form completely (click on the icon below). Someone will be in touch with the student within 2 business days. If you do not think it can wait 2 business days, please contact our office immediately.

Refer A Student

What to do if you or a friend is in crisis

Mental health crises that occur on campus are handled by the Counseling Staff. For crises that occur during office hours, the Counseling Staff can be reached either by:

calling the office at (315) 792-3094 Monday through friday 8:30 AM-5:00PM
contacting Campus Safety (315) 792-3046 and MCAT will be contacted by campus safety or contact MCAT directly at 315-732-6228
If a student is not currently registered for classes, we are not able to meet with them, however we can provide local counseling/emergency resources.

Helping hand

Mobile Crisis Assessment Team:
(315) 732-6228
Crisis Text Line:
Text HOME to 741 741

Information and Services

Counseling is:

An outlet to explore feelings, examine beliefs, and work toward making healthy changes.
A way to gain new perspectives on behavior, emotions, and relationships.
Developing skills to effectively cope with challenges, uncertainties, and conflict.

Services we offer to students include:

Individual therapy
Individual and group psychoeducation
Substance abuse assessments
Case management
Outpatient referrals
Crisis intervention
Campus wide events and programs

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is of the utmost importance in the counseling relationship and student concerns are not shared except in circumstances where there is a threat to self or others. In the case of threat to self or others, notification is at the discretion of the counselor in consultation with the Director of Counseling and/or other appropriate Utica College personnel when needed. Without your permission, we will not and cannot update or inform your parents, family and/or friends on your involvement with our services.

Our staff is composed of professionally trained clinicians, licensed by the State of New York, who can assist you with a wide variety of concerns. It is our belief that the university experience is all about learning and growing, both professionally and personally. We are here to assist you in overcoming challenges and gain personal insights as well as skills beneficial to improve your overall well-being . Additionally, we are here to support faculty/staff learn ways to more effectively support, communicate and/or work with difficult or struggling students.

Maria Zak, L.M.S.W
Senior Clinical Counselor
mnzak@utica.edu
(315)792-3427

Amanda Learnard, L.M.S.W
Clinical Counselor
alearna1@utica.edu
(315) 792-3022

Kristie Bailey, L.M.F.T
Clinical Counselor
klbailey@utica.edu
(315) 792-3093

John Ossowski, L.M.S.W.
Clinical Counselor
jdossows@utica.edu
(315)792-3508

Angela Fistick
Administrative Assistant
hwc@utica.edu
(315)792-3094

Links for additional support resources:

Mobile Crisis Assessment Team
(MCAT)(315) 732-6228
www.neighborhoodctr.org/services/mobile-crisis-assessment-team/

Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741 741

Veterans Crisis Line
1-800-273-8255, press 1
www.veteranscrisisline.net/

National Suicide Prevention Lifelife
1-988-273-8255
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
warmline.org/warmdir.html#new-york
www.naminys.org/mental-health-support/getting-support/

Trevor Project
1-866-488-7386
www.thetrevorproject.org/

YWCA Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline Oneida County
315-797-7740
www.ywcamv.org/

Links for mental health information:

The Top Mental Health Challenges Facing Students:
This guide helps to identify the signs and symptoms of common mental health issues for college students and where and when to seek help.
www.bestcolleges.com/resources/top-5-mental-health-problems-facing-college-students/

New York Project Hope
For support, psychoeducation, finding a provider, and exploring coping skills
nyprojecthope.org/

Active Minds:
Changing the conversation on mental health in the college community. If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact us!
www.activeminds.org

Half of Us
Stories and Information regarding Mental Health and Mental Illness
www.halfofus.com/

National Institute of Mental Health
www.nimh.nih.gov

Helpguide.org
An online resource to help you improve your mental and emotional health. Includes information on relationships, addiction, eating disorders, stress, grief and loss, and many other topics.
www.helpguide.org/home-pages/emotional-health.htm

Links for LGBQTIA resources

The Trevor Project
www.thetrevorproject.org/

LGBTQIA Resource Center at University of California Davis
lgbtqia.ucdavis.edu/about

Links for domestic Violence and Sexual assault information:

www.rainn.org/
www.nsvrc.org/
www.ywca.org/
nomore.org/learn/resources/

Links for alcohol and other drug information:

Recovery.org
Seeking Addiction Treatment?
1-888-653-5601
www.recovery.org

abovetheinfluence.com
www.therecoveryvillage.com/resources/college-students/
drunkcalc.com/

Message to staff and faculty regarding services

Our counseling staff is here to assist you in providing support to your students in order to be successful in their studies and all realms of their lives. As staff and faculty, you often are the first to recognize concerns with students and recognize signs of distress. We are a resource for you to contact when you have any questions or concerns regarding the mental well-being of a student. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of the students we serve. Our staff is composed of multiple N.Y. licensed mental health professionals with a wide range of expertise in treatment to address various issues impeding on one's mental health. Services we offer include:

Individual counseling services (In-person and telehealth within New York state. We will not meet with students connected to outpatient treatment providers as it is a duplication of services.)
Individual and group psychoeducation
Crisis intervention
Case management
Outreach
Campus wide events and programming

Please feel free to contact us with any questions or schedule a counselor to attend your class!
P# 315-792-3094
Email: HWC@utica.edu

How to make a referral

Make a Referral

Recognizing Distress and Responding

What you can do

Mental health crises on campus are addressed by counseling staff. If there are safety concerns for a student or the safety of others in your presence , please remain with the student.

During office hours, call the office for immediate assistance at (315) 792-3094 Monday through Friday 8:30 AM-5:00PM.

After hours or on the weekends, contact Campus Safety (315) 792-3046 and they will assist in linkage to crisis services.

Other Resources:

Mobile Crisis Assessment Team: (315) 732-6228
National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Crisis text line: text HOME to 741 741