We’re here for you anytime you need to speak to a counselor right away about a time-sensitive or urgent issue. No appointment needed! If you need to speak to a counselor today, just call the Wellness Exchange at (212) 443-9999 to arrange urgent counseling!

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When should I use urgent counseling ?

If you need to speak to a counselor today, call the Wellness Exchange at (212) 443-9999 to arrange an urgent counseling session. Urgent counseling is for when you have a time-sensitive or critical issue, such as:

  • You have a problem that can't wait
  • You don't feel safe or have a concern for the safety of another
  • You experienced something scary or traumatic
  • You're having suicidal thoughts
  • You experienced sexual assault or want to discuss a sexual misconduct issue

If a problem feels urgent to you, it's urgent to us. Call the Wellness Exchange at (212) 443-9999 to speak with a counselor.

How it Works

How do I speak with a counselor?

Counselors are available 24/7 by phone. If you need to speak to a counselor anytime, call the Wellness Exchange 24/7 hotline at (212) 443-9999.

Zoom sessions are available Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, and Saturday, 10am-4pm. To set up a Zoom session:

  • Monday-Friday: call the Wellness Exchange at (212) 443-9999 and we’ll arrange for you to meet with the next available counselor on Zoom.
  • Saturday: Book your Zoom session online in the SHC Portal.
    • Log in to the SHC Portal after 7pm on Friday
    • Click Appointments
    • Select Saturday Urgent Counseling
    • If there aren’t any sessions available, call the Wellness Exchange at (212) 443-9999 to speak to a counselor by phone.

If you have any questions at all, call the Wellness Exchange at (212) 443-9999.

What should I expect from my session with a counselor?

When you call the hotline, you will be asked a few questions to assess your circumstances and make sure you're safe. After that, you and your counselor will talk about any urgent concerns and make a plan for next steps. If you are in active distress, your counselor can go over a variety of coping strategies based on your needs, such as sensory grounding.

In most cases, you will be able to speak to a counselor right after we assess your safety. On occasion, students who do not have an immediate safety concern may be asked to hold so our counselors can assist a student with higher level safety concerns. If you are asked to hold, you may find it helpful to use these techniques to calm yourself while you wait to speak with a counselor. If you begin to feel unsafe while you are waiting, please hang up and dial 911.

This isn’t an “emergency”. Can I still have an urgent counseling session?

If you need to speak to a counselor today, urgent counseling is here for you! Urgent counseling is for when you have a problem that can't wait. Your counselor will address your most pressing concerns to make sure you’re safe.

You can use urgent counseling for any problem that feels urgent to you — but if you do not have an immediate safety concern, you may be asked to hold so our counselors can assist a student with higher level safety concerns. If you are asked to hold, you may find it helpful to use these techniques to calm yourself while you wait to speak with a counselor. If you begin to feel unsafe while you are waiting, please hang up and dial 911.

If your problem can wait, you can schedule a Single Session Counseling online in advance anytime you need to work through a specific concern. If you want to learn more about coping during difficult times or mindfulness, consider joining a Wellness Workshop, explore our Relaxation Oasis, and review our calming techniques videos.

Not sure if urgent counseling is right for you? Call the Wellness Exchange at (212) 443-9999 and we’ll help guide you to the most appropriate service.

Can you refill my prescription?

If you’re running low on a prescription medication, psychiatry staff are available Monday-Friday, 2pm-5pm to consult around possible short-term refills until you can see your provider. Call the Wellness Exchange at (212) 443-9999 to arrange a virtual session with our psychiatrists.

Due to state licensing requirements, the SHC is only able to provide virtual appointments for prescription refills (telehealth) to students who are physically located in New York State at the time of the appointment. If you are located outside New York State, learn about your options.

If you need help after-hours or on weekends, counselors are available 24/7 by phone or chat. Call the Wellness Exchange 24/7 hotline at (212) 443-9999 or chat via the app anytime.


More Counseling Options