Services

The Counseling Center provides a number of support services to students struggling with alcohol and other drug use. These include:

• Assessment and support for problematic alcohol and other drug use
• Assistance in dealing with family members or other loved ones who may be suffering from an addiction
• Educational and outreach programming
• Help in dealing with pressure to drink or use more than you want to
• Strategies and support for changing drinking or drug use patterns
• Support for students in recovery
• Referral information and assistance

Visit our Alcohol and Other Drug Services page to learn about the services offered and resources available.

Group counseling offers a safe environment in which to give and receive support regarding specific issues, explore healthy behaviors, and develop new ways of coping. It allows an opportunity to learn more about oneself and others in a climate of trust and mutual support. Like individual counseling, group counseling is confidential; information disclosed to other members is not discussed outside the group.

The Counseling Center offers a variety of groups. Visit our Group Counseling page to learn about the groups being offered at your campus this semester.

The Counseling Center staff is available to discuss any personal or emotional difficulties in complete confidentiality. Our services range from counseling for personal and professional problems to crisis intervention. Some of the most common reasons students seek counseling are:

• Academic stressors
• Adjustment to changes and transitions
• Alcohol and other drug use
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Family
• Relationships
• Study skills
• Test anxiety
• Time-management skills

Visit our Individual Counseling page for more information.

When students are evaluated at the Counseling Center, it is sometimes necessary to recommend an external referral based on the specific needs of the student and the resources available at the Counseling Center. This referral may be to a more specialized program at a hospital or clinic or to a therapist in private practice. Our referral list is extensive and offers students a wide range of services which are of high quality and affordable.

All enrolled students have the opportunity to meet with a clinician to have their needs assessed. The counseling center team will determine if the student’s needs fall within the scope of clinical services that can be provided. When a student’s needs require a different level of care, the clinician will work closely with the student to ensure a smooth transition to community providers and will follow up, providing additional help with referrals, as needed.

Referrals may occur when:

• Students need or request to be seen more than once a week for individual therapy.
• Students need or request uninterrupted therapy from semester to semester.
• Students need or request long-term treatment.
• Students have a significant history of mental health concerns, treatment, and/or psychiatric hospitalizations and have continued needs.
• Students need or request services for active eating disorders that may require medical monitoring.
• Students need or request services not offered, including but not limited to:
  • Intensive outpatient, inpatient treatment, or specialty services
  • Substance abuse treatment or detoxification
  • Mandated therapy
  • Documentation for an Emotional Support or Comfort Animal
  • Psychological assessment or evaluation
  • Frequent consultation after-hours that cannot be stabilized with short-term crisis interventions
  • Documentation for disability accommodations at Pace or for a national test

If a student is currently seeing a professional, and can continue to work with them, we often encourage the student to do so, based on the value of continuity of care.

Also, if at any time during the course of treatment at the Counseling Center, the clinician determines that a student would be better served by an external referral, one will be provided and the clinician will assist in a smooth transition. This may occur when a student’s behavior or psychological presentation changes, suggesting the need for a different kind or higher level of care.

Once a student has been referred to an outside resource, we suggest that they reconnect with the Counseling Services once they have contacted the referral. At that time, we encourage students to provide us with feedback about their experience. If the referral does not seem to be a good fit, then we will be more than happy to meet with the student again to provide them with more resources.

This statement is not a contract and serves only as a general statement and guide to those interested in services at the Counseling Center. Each student is evaluated individually, and treatment decisions are based upon the professional judgment of the Counseling Center staff.

• Pace Student Health Insurance
• Referral Options outside of Pace University for Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment in Westchester
• Referral Options outside of Pace University for New York City
• Referral Options Outside of Pace University for Westchester County
• Referrals to Community and Other Programs
• The Shrink Space is a referral website Pace Counseling Center NYC has partnered with to help students connect with off-campus mental health providers who meet their particular needs.

The Counseling Center is dedicated to improving the overall well-being and resiliency of our students. One of the ways we serve the campus in this way is through our outreach programming.

The Counseling Center offers a wide variety of presentations, workshops, and consultation services that address topics such as:

• Alcohol and other drug awareness
• Assertiveness
• Body image
• Building self-esteem
• Eating disorders
• Stress management
• Study skills
• Time management

Visit our Outreach and Consultation page to learn more.

Westchester

No appointment needed. Weekdays from 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m. daily in Pleasantville during the academic year (virtually and in-person). This time can be used for initial meetings or same day emergencies. In addition, faculty, staff or students can request telephone access to a staff member during this time. Availability may be limited and calls are taken on a first come, first serve basis.

New York City

Want to make an appointment at the NYC Counseling Center? Just walk-in, Monday through Friday, from 12:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. to get started. For more information call or stop by.

You do not have to call in advance to set up an appointment. Please feel free to come to our walk in hours. However, if you need to see someone sooner, please inform us and we will do our best to meet your needs. Walk-in hours are available virtually and in-person each weekday where students can connect with a counselor if there is a more urgent need.

• Westchester: (914) 773-3710 Screening Hours from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• New York City: (212) 346-1526 Screening Hours from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

In case of an emergency, contact the Counseling Center

Before your initial appointment, you will be asked to complete paperwork and will then meet with one of our staff members. The purpose of this initial appointment(s) is understanding and discussing the concerns that brought you in to the Counseling Center. Following this appointment, our recommendations to you may include: additional counseling sessions at the Counseling Center, referral to a Counseling Center group, or referral to a community agency, private practitioner, or consulting psychiatrist. These recommendations are based on your needs, as well as the availability of our staff. Sometimes, the staff member you see for ongoing sessions may not be the same person who met with you for your initial appointment.

Yes! All services provided at the Counseling Center are free.

We welcome feedback on our delivery of services to you, both on an informal basis and formally through our periodic questionnaire.

Our services are confidential. This means that all information shared with a staff member and all written materials remain confidential unless you authorize, in writing, that information be communicated to specific others. The staff member, however, may disclose information deemed necessary to protect you or others from imminent physical danger, in cases where child abuse is evident, or upon court order.

The Counseling Center’s policy on confidentiality is in accordance with the ethical standards of the American Psychological Association.

If you are unable to keep an appointment, we ask that you give us 24-hours notice. If you do not notify us and do not keep your appointments and/or respond to our follow up calls or emails, we may not be able to see you at the Counseling Center. However, you will have an opportunity to speak to a staff member who can provide you with an appropriate referral in the community.

The NYC and Pleasantville campuses have Zoom Rooms available for students who wish to do virtual sessions but do not have a private space. These rooms can be reserved when an appointment is scheduled by informing the front desk staff or discussing it with the clinician.