Counseling Services

Our data suggests that the top reasons students at York College access counseling are to address:

• Relationships
• Anxiety/worry
• Depression
• Stress management
• Self-esteem/confidence
• Loss/grief

When students transition into college it is important to find new resources for support. Sometimes this includes speaking with a professional counselor for listening, reflecting, and problem-solving.

College can bring a number of firsts away from home that can be disruptive to one's life (e.g. loss of a loved one, relationship conflicts, changing mood, and/or eating behaviors, and change in life plans, etc). Talking with a counselor will help increase a student's perspective on the status of their situation.

• Fees: Tuition covers counseling and mental health services at Counseling Services for all currently enrolled students. Your health insurance is not billed for appointments or other services provided by Counseling Services. 
• To schedule an appointment: Students should call 717.815.6437 to schedule an appointment or get more information during normal business hours (Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.). 
• To cancel an appointment: Please give us at least 24-48 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment.  
• In the event of a closure or delay: Please contact the Counseling Services Office on the next business day the office is open to reschedule your appointment if affected. 

After an (initial) intake session, students are assigned a clinical staff member for all subsequent visits. How many sessions and how often a student meets with their assigned clinical staff member varies depending on the level of need and will be re-evaluated by the clinical staff member during each session. Our goal is to work with each individual person to develop an effective treatment approach that includes goals, strategies, and a time frame to adequately address the concerns. Recommendations for additional services could be required.

Yes, YCP Counseling Services has electronic forms that are required. A link to the forms will be sent to the student by email for completion and must be completed before their scheduled appointment. Students will be required to update their information at the beginning of each new semester. Throughout the semester and on occasion, students may be required to complete a form to track the status of their wellbeing. All forms completed become the student’s clinical record which are saved for ten years and are separate from academic records. These records are confidential and stored on a confidential electronic filing system which is only available to Counseling Services staff members.

• Attend all of your scheduled counseling sessions, or let the counselor know if you have to miss one.
• Be on time and try not to miss your scheduled appointments - this maximizes your time with your counselor.
• Be an active participant as you work with your counselor.
• Clarify your goals - write down your thoughts, be specific, and prioritize your concerns.
• Honestly and openly voice your thoughts and feelings in counseling. Ask questions and seek clarification.
• Let your counselor know if you are feeling worse or uncomfortable over the course of counseling.
• Be honest about safety concerns - your emotional and physical safety is our priority.
• Make time to think about the things you have discussed in between sessions.
• Follow through on homework assignments from your counselor - practice strategies and skills discussed in the session. Consider keeping a journal to monitor progress.
• Capitalize on what's been discussed in the session by trying new approaches, ideas, etc. when on your own.

York College Counseling Services are safe/confidential and in accordance with the American Counseling Association's Code of Ethics, HIPAA, and FERPA. Information will be released ONLY with a student's written permission by completing a Consent for Release of Student Information or if a student's condition indicates clear and imminent danger to themselves or to others. All records are maintained according to state and federal laws of confidentiality. Information about the student's presence in counseling or details about what has been discussed does not become part of the student's college records.

During counseling, your counselor will work with you to determine the most appropriate level of care. In the event more intensive treatment is needed a referral may be necessary. This could include coordinating with off-campus providers such as local counselors, group sessions, physicians, psychiatrists, and/or the local hospitals. (WellSpan York Hospital or UPMS Memorial Hospital)

Mental health hospitalizations can be necessary in emergency situations to help stabilize a student's emotional well-being. York College Counseling Services is dedicated to caring for and promoting coordination of mental health services for our students. Counseling Services will maintain confidentiality throughout the referral process and upon the student's return to our services.

Counseling Services offers a free BASICS assessment for students who want to investigate their behaviors related to alcohol and other substance use. This is a confidential service we offer to all students enrolled in classes at York College.

If you are required to complete a BASICS assessment to meet a college sanction and would like to access Counseling Services for the assessment, you can contact us by calling 717.815.6437. Students are not required to complete this requirement through Counseling Services and may choose to complete it off campus. We can provide you with alternative resources (Note: off-campus providers charge for the assessment). 

If there is a fine attached to your sanction, it is not paid to Counseling Services. Your letter from Judicial Affairs should indicate where to pay the fine.

A BASICS assessment in Counseling Services involves two sessions with a counselor. 

• The first session will take approximately 2 hours, so please allow that much time in your schedule. 
• The second session is scheduled directly after attending the first session. It will be held two weeks later and will last approximately 45 minutes. 

If you sign a consent form, the counselor can notify Judicial Affairs once you have completed the assessment.  They will not share any other information with them. You can talk more about that with the counselor at your first scheduled BASICS assessment appointment.