Counseling FAQ
How will I meet with my counselor?
Counseling appointments are available in person and virtually. For virtual appointments, you can speak to your counselor on Zoom or by phone. If you have issues finding a private space for an upcoming appointment, call us at (212) 998-4780.
What is counseling and will it work for me?
Counseling - or psychotherapy - is a professional relationship that focuses on personal problems of all kinds. The counseling relationship differs from both social friendships and patient-doctor contacts. Unlike friends, counselors are able to be objective; they are not involved in your daily lives. Counselors don't give specific advice or tell you what to do. Instead, they serve as skilled listeners who help you to clarify issues, discover your true wishes and feelings, and deal effectively with problems.
Sometimes it takes several meetings for you to share your story and begin to explore thoughts and feelings, so you may not feel better right away. It’s important to talk with your counselor about goals you have for yourself so that you can work together to make change and feel better.
How do I make a counseling appointment? How many sessions are available?
Short-term counseling appointments can be made by calling the CWS main number at 212-998-4780. You will be scheduled for a brief phone screening with one of our counselors who will assist you in scheduling your first appointment. You can also set up a phone triage appointment in the SHC Portal:
- Log in to the SHC Portal
- Click Appointments
- Select CWS Phone Triage
Single session counseling appointments can be made online through the SHC Portal under Appointments.
CWS offers short-term talk therapy. The exact number of sessions you will have will be based on your particular needs. Because talk therapy is short term, if you would benefit from long-term talk therapy, your provider will work with you to connect you with someone outside of NYU who can see you on an ongoing basis.
Unlike talk therapy, you can be followed for medication management by a member of our psychiatry team for as long as you are an NYU student.
What should I do if I am not pleased with my interaction with the counselor?
We encourage students to speak directly with their counselors about any concerns they may have regarding their treatment. If speaking to your counselor directly proves challenging, you can always contact the Wellness Exchange at (212) 443-9999 or chat via the app anytime for assistance, or email health.feedback@nyu.edu to provide feedback.
Can I see a counselor without an appointment?
Urgent Counseling is available for immediate needs and connection to services. You can talk with a counselor to gain confidential support and pursue a plan for on-going counseling, either short-term on campus, or long-term in the NYC community. If you need to speak with a counselor about an urgent mental health concern, call the Wellness Exchange 24/7 hotline at (212) 443-9999 to arrange Urgent Counseling. Each Urgent Counseling session averages about 20-30 minutes.
Is psychiatric treatment available at the SHC?
Virtual psychiatric medication services are available to all matriculated full-time and part-time students enrolled in a degree-granting program who require assessment and treatment with psychiatric medications. Students with the NYU sponsored health insurance plans (Wellfleet) will have a maximum out of pocket expense of $20 per visit. The cost of care for students with insurances other than the NYU sponsored student health insurance plan depends on their specific insurance policy. For assistance determining what this cost of care will be, please contact the Insurance Department at (212) 443-1020.
Psychiatric professionals are available to conduct a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, which includes screening for ADHD symptoms. For more information about this process, see our ADHD Assessment and Treatment Guidelines.
To schedule a virtual appointment for a psychiatric evaluation, please call Counseling and Wellness Services at (212) 998-4780.
What will happen when I contact the Wellness Exchange?
The Wellness Exchange hotline and app are confidential resources staffed by professional counselors 24/7/365 whose primary goal is to support NYU students. Wellness Exchange counselors will ask how they can help, listen carefully, provide you with in-the-moment support, and talk about resources and next steps. You can remain anonymous when you contact us and you can also contact us with concerns about a friend.
What if I need counseling support on a weekend or holiday?
Contact us anytime! The Wellness Exchange is a confidential resource available 24/7/365. Call the hotline at (212) 443-9999 or chat via the app anytime. If you need support outside of normal business hours, the counselors on the hotline can help by giving in-the-moment support and making a plan with you for any needed follow-up.
Can CWS provide me a sick note for a class absence?
As of August 2021, faculty may not require students to provide documentation to excuse class absences due to medical or mental health-related reasons. CWS will not provide a sick note. Please do not schedule an appointment to request one.