Counseling Center

Office: LoGrasso Hall

(716) 673-3424

Jeff Janicki, Clinical Director of Mental Health Services

Email: counseling.center@fredonia.edu

Website:  https://www.fredonia.edu/student-life/counseling

In support of Fredonia’s strategic plan and institutional learning goals, the Counseling Center promotes student’s mental health, wellness, growth and development. The Fredonia Counseling Center (FCC) recognizes research based practices which promote dramatic improvements during the early stages of a therapy experience. We approach most sessions from a single-session mindset, organizing each session as if it might be the last, to optimize maximum effectiveness of each session.

The goal of each session is for the client to leave with a sense of emotional relief, increased hope, and some sort of positive outcome as defined by the client. Within the context of the counseling relationship, both the counselor and client work diligently to harness motivation to address a specific concern that promotes the client’s vision of their better self.

The primary concern of the Counseling Center is to remove the barriers of access to services and to provide Fredonia students with the assistance they need when they need it most.

The Counseling Center offers same-day services (limited availability), individual and group counseling sessions, crisis services, informal consultations, skills workshops, outreach presentations and includes services aimed at preventing substance abuse and interpersonal violence on campus. Professional counselors work individually and with groups to help students understand themselves better, resolve problems, come to terms with difficult issues, and/or address important decisions. Additionally, psychiatric tele-services are available through the SUNY Tele-Psychiatry Network (STPN) partnership with Upstate Medical to assist those students in need of psychiatric evaluation and medication. Free, confidential mental health counseling services are available to all registered students.

Prevention, Advocacy, and Wellness Services (PAWS), helps students achieve academic success and personal growth, establish healthy relationships, and realize well-being by providing direct support and connection to appropriate University and community resources. We seek to create a safe, healthy, compassionate, and enriching environment for all students and members of the SUNY Fredonia community.

This comprehensive program coordinates initiatives; facilitates collaboration; provides training, advocacy, and intervention services; and educational opportunities in the following areas:

• Alcohol and other drugs
• Rape and sexual assault
• Relationship issues including dating and domestic violence
• Stalking and harassment
• Sexual health

PAWS provides advocacy and support for Fredonia students that are survivors of interpersonal violence (rape, sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, stalking, and harassment). PAWS can answer questions, be someone to talk to, offer emotional support, and provide referrals. Appointment with the PAWS office can made by contacting the Counseling Center at (716) 673-3424, or emailing the PAWS coordinator at care@fredonia.edu

For more information on the services offered through Prevention, Advocacy and Wellness Services, please contact the Counseling Center or visit the website https://www.fredonia.edu/student-life/substance-abuse-and-violence-prevention.  

The Counseling Center is located in LoGrasso Hall.  Appointments can be made in person at the reception desk or by telephone at (716) 673-3424. Same-day services (first come-first serve) are available when classes are in session during the academic year.  Information about services being offered for the current semester including groups, workshops, and wellness ideas can be accessed through the website: https://www.fredonia.edu/student-life/counseling.

In most circumstances, the difficulties that students face can be addressed through the usual process of setting up an appointment with a counselor and discussing the issues concerning the student. However, there are circumstances when crisis situations in which immediate or same-day intervention by a counselor is called for. Emergency psychological services are provided to the campus community by Counseling Center staff for such crises.

Crisis Services 

During Working Hours: 

• In the event of an emergency requiring medical assistance, call University Police 716-673-3333. 
• Contact the Counseling Center directly by either calling 716-673-3424 or by going directly to the office located in LoGrasso Hall.
• When students come to the Counseling Center in crisis, they should make the secretary aware that they require immediate and/or same-day assistance

After Hours:

• Students can call/text/chat 988 or call the Chautauqua County Crisis Hotline (1-800-724-0461) for after hours mental health emergencies that require a response by mental health professionals. 
• Students living on campus may notify their Resident Advisor (RA) or Resident Director (RD) of the crisis, who may then decide to engage emergency services. (Contact Residence Life)
• In the event of an emergency that requires assistance from the police, students should call University Police at 716-673-3333.

Other supportive resources:

• Suicide Prevention Lifeline Call/Text/Chat 988 
• Text HOME to 741741 for free 24/7 crisis support in the US https://www.crisistextline.org/
• Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault (1-800-252-8748)
• Non-Crisis Peer Support daily 5pm-11pm Warm Line Call: 1-877-426-4373 Text: 716-392-0252

A Note About Confidentiality

Counseling Center client information is confidential within ethical and legal guidelines. Information can only be released with the written consent of the student, except in situations where a student poses a threat of serious harm to self or to others, or in the case of abuse/neglect of a minor, or in the case of a court-ordered release of information.