Going to college represents major life transitions for both parents and the student. Students face unique challenges on campus, and so do the families and communities supporting students. You may experience a wide range of emotions about them settling into their newly discovered or ongoing independence.
Often, family concerns are associated with the students’ academic success, ability to adjust to a new environment, managing their independence, developing their own support network on campus, taking care of their mental health needs, and adjusting to your changing relationship.
Our goal is to provide answers and appropriate support while we assist students in managing the many life changes they experience at SUNY Buffalo State.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Counseling Center offers free and confidential short-term counseling to registered students.
We provide a range of mental-health-related services—individual counseling, group counseling, crisis intervention, outreach education for students, and more—to assist students in overcoming challenges inherent when adjusting to a new environment.
Counselors work with students to build on their emotional and psychological needs that interfere with personal, social, and academic functioning while also emphasizing prevention, development, adjustment, and wellness.
In general, we offer five individual counseling sessions per semester and unlimited group therapy sessions. If we deem that the mental health needs surpass what we can offer, we make appropriate referrals. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to follow up on the treatment recommendations or community referrals.
Obtaining counseling services is a student’s decision. If you feel that your son or daughter may benefit from counseling, talk to them. Listen, encourage, and explain your concerns, thoughts, and feelings. Your child is now an adult who is beginning to make their own decisions and only they can decide if counseling is a service they wish to pursue.
We believe that seeking counseling is the student’s personal choice and we want to empower them to take steps toward their own personal healing. However, if the center does receive information that a student is experiencing psychological problems that may result in harming self or others, a wellness check will be initiated, and appropriate University Police (716-878-6333) or emergency medical personnel will be contacted.