Stepped Care Model
The Stepped Care Model is a multi-tier system of programs that seeks to meet students where they are in the change process, while promoting autonomy and empowerment. The most effective yet least-resource intensive intervention is offered first; care is stepped up to the next level based on evidence of required need. The Stepped Care Model ensures more rapid access to care through single-session walk-in clinics that offer solutions immediately with only minimal assessment.
Crisis Intervention
Emergencies and psychological crises are always considered the highest priority for clinical services. Emergencies are defined as any situation involving personal, psychological, or physical trauma including the potential threat to self or others. The Buffalo State Counseling Center is staffed by trained mental-health professionals who can assist students in times of personal crisis.
If you or someone you are assisting is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, and you are off campus, call Crisis Services at 716-834-3131 or 911 immediately; if you are on campus, call The Counseling Center at 716-878-4436 or come directly to The Counseling Center.
Individual Counseling:
This service is when you meet with a professional counselor for regularly scheduled sessions. The sessions are usually limited in number and averages five sessions, since we provide only short term therapy.
Group Counseling:
In group counseling you will meet with 8-10 other students and professional staff members to discuss common concerns (e.g. relationship issues, eating disorders, stress and anger management). For more information about groups click on the Group Brochure
Note: In some cases recommendations may be communicated to the student’s primary care doctor or home psychiatrists. Additional information for Providers can be found here.
Psychological Testing:
Your counselor may suggest testing as a means of understanding yourself better.
Special Focus Workshops:
The center offers practical, skills-based workshops on an ongoing basis. The themes of these workshops include stress management, sleep health, study skills, anger management, and interpersonal communication skills.
Referral to Community Agency:
Our services are limited to short-term counseling. The center can help you with a referral to and connection with community services for long-term or more specialized assistance.
Concerns that may be addressed by The Counseling Center:
Academic Problems, Alcohol and Drug Use, Anger Management, Anxiety, Concentration Difficulties, Depression, Suicidal thoughs as well as thoughts of harming others, Eating Disorders, Family Problems, Grief Reactions, Homesickness, Irritability, Low Self-esteem, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Pregnancy, Racial/Ethnic Bias, Rape/Sexual Assault, Sexual Orientation Concerns, Sexually Transmitted Disease, Sexual or Physical abuse, Interpersonal Conflicts, Stress Management, Sleep Problems, Test and Seminar Anxiety..... and many other concerns which may interfere with your success at Buffalo State College.
Making Your First Appointment:
All Buffalo State College students, full or part-time may seek counseling support at the Counseling Center. There is no fee for services at the center. To schedule the initial consultation session, call the Counseling Center at 878-4436 during office hours. The receptionist will ask for your name, address, and phone number, and will schedule a time for you to meet with a member of our staff. For more information about what to expect during your Free and Confidential introductory session, click on what to expect during our Intake session.
Missed Appointment Policy:
A missed appointment is when a client misses an appointment without canceling it. Unless you call to cancel, a failure to be present at the time of a scheduled appointment will be recorded in the client’s chart as a “no-show”. This includes arriving 15+ minutes late for your scheduled appointment start time, which may result in your appointment being rescheduled. If classes are canceled due to weather or other emergency, Counseling Center appointments are also canceled and will need to be rescheduled.
In fairness to students wanting to secure timely services from the Counseling Center, students who miss an appointment without notifying the counselor will typically be allowed no more than one additional consecutive “no-show” or three “no-shows” in one semester before the Counseling Center considers them disengaged from service and their files will be closed. This may also apply to repeated late cancelations. You will be notified of this status in writing and a copy will be placed in your chart. To reengage with services, you will be required to meet with the Director of the Counseling Center to assess your treatment needs at that time. Additionally, you will be provided with referrals off-campus to use at your discretion. Emergency walk-in services at our office will always remain available to all registered students during regular business hours. Community crisis services are also always available, and can be reached at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or (716) 834-3131.
Your Success is Our Priority
