The Counseling Service
The Counseling Service provides a variety of services to help students and the campus community handle the problems associated with academics, college life, and personal development. Services include: individual, couple, and group counseling and psychotherapy; crisis intervention; educational programs; consultation; assessment; and referral to off-campus services.
Counseling and psychotherapy are terms that have different origins, but essentially refer to the same thing: a dialogue with a trained practitioner intended to address problems in living and to facilitate development.
The Counseling Service offers predominantly short-term therapy free of charge to Vassar College students. Counselors, trained in the disciplines of clinical and counseling psychology and clinical social work, work with students to explore personal problems and concerns in a secure and private setting. People come to the Counseling Service for a variety of reasons, such as relationship problems with parents, peers, or partners; depression; anxiety; alcohol and other drug use and abuse; coming out issues; stress; concerns about academic progress or direction; or assistance in planning for the future. The student and counselor work out the details and the course of counseling jointly.
Counselors often refer students to resources outside of the Vassar community depending on the needs of the student and the limitations of the Counseling Service. Students referred for treatment off campus may use their health insurance to defray the cost. Off-campus services are the responsibility of the student and/or the student’s family.
The Counseling Service offers a variety of psychotherapy and support groups, some with a specific focus such as eating disorders or the concerns of children of alcoholics. Groups are formed at the beginning of each semester and typically meet once a week. A list of groups is advertised at the start of each semester and can be found on the Counseling Service website.
Confidentiality, a highest priority at the Counseling Service, is often a concern for students. Strict ethical principles and codes of conduct govern the Counseling Service, ensuring confidentiality within specific legal limits. Counseling records are separate from academic and medical records at the college and are not available to college offices outside of the Counseling Service.
Appointments. To schedule an appointment, call 845-437-5700 or stop by Metcalf House Monday through Friday 9-5. During the initial consultation, you will have a chance to talk about the difficulties facing you. The counselor will help clarify the best therapeutic options and may recommend individual or group counseling, further evaluation, or other services. Some students find that the initial consultation meets their needs and require no further services. You may also contact the Counseling Service expressly to obtain a referral to private practitioners.
Urgent Visits
If you need to see one of our psychological counselors immediately, do not hesitate to call us at 845-437-5700. You can also stop by the office and tell the receptionist the nature of your urgent request. After hours, call the Campus Response Center at 845-437-7333. During the academic year while residence halls are open, a counselor is on call. We are interested in your well-being—don’t wait for your situation to escalate to the point where your health is threatened. Call and schedule an appointment to see a counselor.
Psychiatric Services. A consulting psychiatrist is affiliated with the Counseling Service. Limited psychiatric services are available at Metcalf by referral from a counselor. If continuing psychiatric services are required, a referral is made to a private psychiatrist.
Materials and Resources. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to make use of the resources at the Counseling Service. We have a number of books, pamphlets, videos, and other printed material available for borrowing. Handouts on specific topics are also available. Please stop by Metcalf House and browse.
Staff. The Vassar College Counseling Service is staffed by mental health professionals who, as part of the college community, are committed to the personal and academic development of all Vassar students. We welcome all students and embrace a philosophy of diversity.
Finding Us
We are open during the academic year and closed during breaks and the summer.
- Location: Metcalf House
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm
- Telephone: 845-437-5700
- Crisis On-Call: 845-437-7333
- Website: http://counselingservice.vassar.edu
Email: Please note that email is not a secure medium, and confidentiality of email cannot be guaranteed. The Counseling Service recommends that you consider this when communicating about matters that are of a personal or confidential nature.