Information for Families

Counseling Services assists students with personal concerns to equip them with resources to meet the daily challenges of life and contribute toward holistic development. Staffed by counselors and clinical staff members, all services are offered free of charge to currently enrolled students.

‌Counseling Services offers:

• Assessments
• Individual/group counseling
• Educational programming and consultation
• Crisis intervention
• Referrals

This array of services is offered in a welcoming, confidential and comfortable setting that encourages students to exercise and take full advantage of their personal well-being in the context of a diverse population. These services help individuals resolve personal difficulties and acquire attitudes, abilities and knowledge that enable them to fully participate and contribute to the York College community.

Visit Counseling Services' main page for common questions and answers about this exact question. Students start by making an appointment. All sessions are confidential.

Parents, faculty, staff and administrators can call Counseling Services for inquiries and/or guidance pertaining to student concerns.  Sometimes, it is difficult being at a distance and knowing that a loved one is in distress.  Counseling Services will seek to be supportive and will listen to a parent's concerns.

Parents may offer information that could be invaluable to a student's treatment; however, with the exception of imminent danger, counselors will not reveal specific information about specific students without their expressed, written permission.

We encourage parents, faculty, staff and other administrators to refer students to Counseling Services.  Students must call the office to make their own appointments as we find that students benefit most when they initiate their own support services.

Consulting with the Counseling Services staff

Having a student in college may be challenging for some families who become concerned about their student’s overall wellness. Counseling Services is available to talk with family members about questions or concerns they may have about their student. It is most beneficial to call to schedule a time for a consultation. 

Receiving updates on your student's participation in counseling

If your student chooses to engage in counseling, our goal is to create a safe environment for them to explore personal concerns. Confidentiality is an essential element of the counseling process and it creates a comfortable setting to share openly and honestly. Knowing that your student is participating in counseling but not knowing anything about the content of those sessions can create challenges for concerned family members. We strongly encourage you to respect your student's right to privacy and instead, focus on their efforts to address their well-being.

It can be helpful to encourage your student to talk about their concerns with a professional counselor. Empowering your student to make their own decision about participating in counseling tends to yield the best results. Below are some ideas that could help encourage their attendance at counseling:

• York College Counseling Services are safe/confidential and in accordance with the American Counseling Association's Code of Ethics, HIPAA, and FERPA. Assure them that Counseling Services will not share information about them with anyone (including family members) without their written consent.
• Ask your student to consider meeting with a counselor for one session to determine if it would be helpful.
• Create a judgment-free zone where your student can feel comfortable meeting with a counselor without concern that you or other family members will judge them. 
• Honor your student's right to learn what works best for them, including participating in counseling, engaging in other services on campus, and knowing when to ask for help. College is the perfect time for your student to become independent and take an active role in their own well-being.
• Suggest that your student visit our website to become familiar with our services.
• Encourage your student to take our free and confidential online mental health screening to gauge their level of need for services.
• In the event your student is uncomfortable attending a session alone, they are welcome to invite a trusted person to attend with them. 

In the event of an emergency or life-threatening situation, there are several options:

• Contact York College Campus Safety at 717.815.1314
• Call 911
• Contact Crisis Intervention - WellSpan York Hospital at 800.673.2496 or 717.851.5320

In the event of a non-life-threatening but urgent situation, there are several options:

• Submit a student concern for the York College CARE Team 
• Contact Residence Life at 717.815.1281 (if living on campus) to request that an Area Coordinator touch base with your student 
• Contact York College Campus Safety at 717.815.1314 to request a wellness check (to have an officer touch base with your student)
• Contact Student Success at 717.815.1493 for concerns about your student's academics
• Contact Health Services at 717.849.1615 for medical concerns
• Contact the Dean of Student Development and Campus Life at 717.815.6818 about dealing with needs that haven't been addressed by other campus offices

If you know that your student has sought counseling at York College Counseling Services and you have information, of an urgent but non-life-threatening nature, that you wish to communicate with their counselor, please call us at 717.815.6437.