University Counseling Center

Hours of operation

8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Friday

ALERT: The UCC health portal has returned to usual functioning and is at a new web address: https://binghamton.medicatconnect.com. Log in with your PODS ID to view upcoming appointments, fill out forms and send secure messages.

COVID-19 self-help resources

Find a full list of COVID-related resources

COVID-19 telemental health services

In its ongoing response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the UCC continues to support the emotional well-being of students while also protecting the health of students by adhering to federal and state recommendations for social distancing.

The UCC is primarily offering individual and group services in a telemental health format as described below. We want to do our part to reduce viral spread by reducing face-to-face contact and the duration of interactions in our individual counseling offices.  

• Telemental health services are being delivered primarily through the Zoom platform, and may also include some telephone calls depending upon the technology available to students and/or staff. The UCC uses procedures and settings in Zoom to ensure full IT security of sessions. We can offer face-to-face services in certain circumstances when it is clinically necessary.
• Students can call us at 607-777-2772 to set up an appointment, to find out more about our services or to make other inquiries. You do not need to come in person to be served quickly. We ask that you call before coming in, since we can assist with many requests or questions via phone, and we want to maintain a safe lobby density. After calling, appropriately masked students may access the lobby, in limited numbers and for a limited duration, with proper social distancing.
• We offer a wide range of telemental health services including:
  • Individual counseling
  • Group counseling
  • Workshops
  • Consultation for concerned parents, guardians, friends and family
  • A secure room if needed for urgent telemental health appointments
  • Referrals to providers and treatment coordination
  • Mindfulness practices for stress management
  • Same-day urgent counseling
• If you are a student interested in counseling, we will schedule a tele-triage consultation with you to discuss therapy needs and provide support. We will discuss treatment recommendation(s) (e.g., telecounseling at the UCC, tele-group counseling, off-campus referral, psychiatry referral) at the end of this consultation with consideration of the UCC's scope of services. 
• UCC will continue to provide group counseling for spring 2021. Information about groups will be updated the first week of classes and as offerings evolve thereafter. You can learn more about how groups work and the spring groups schedule on our group counseling webpage. 
• Urgent and emergent needs: We will provide same-day urgent teleservice, with emergencies triaged to determine what is the appropriate level of care. You can arrange an urgent telemental health appointment from your room or other private location. If that does not work for you, we can arrange for you to use a private, sanitized Zoom room at the UCC for urgent telemental health with a counselor when space and a counselor are available. If you need urgent access to care, call us at 607-777-2772. 
• After-hours support remains available through the main counseling number at 607-777-2772 and press #2.
• For assistance during regular hours and after hours, call the UCC main number at 607-777-2772. 
• For emergency assistance call 911 or your local hospital, or see the emergencies page on our website for other resources.
• Due to current state laws, telemental health services can only be offered to students who are physically located in New York state at the time of service. As legal situations change, we will provide any updates on eligibility for students who are physically out of state. If you are located out of state, we can still assist with discussing available treatment options in your state.

Tips for how to find a counselor if you are looking for one in your home area.

Ways to cope and practice self-care, some selected some helpful links and articles:

For learning modules, screening tools and Q&A:

• Care for your Coronavirus Anxiety
• On self-care in the face of uncertainty: Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty
• From the CDC on how to manage anxiety: Manage Anxiety and Stress
• On coping with stress during infectious disease outbreaks: Coping with Stress during Infectious Disease Outbreaks 
• 7 science-based strategies for coping: 7 Science Based Strategies to Cope with Coronavirus Anxiety 
• Mindfulness for coping with COVID-19: How Mindfulness Can Help You Navigate the Coronavirus Panic

Our office location

Old O'Connor 264

Contact Our Office

Phone: 607-777-2772
Fax: 607-777-2708

How to make a referral to the UCC

Are you interested in helping your friend, student or child? Are you worried about their well-being? Know your limits as a help-giver; only go as far as your expertise, training and resources allow. When a student needs more help than you are able or willing to give, it is time to make a referral to a professional.