Mental Health and Counseling
Yale University Health Services
17 Hillhouse Avenue (3rd floor)
P.O. Box 208237
New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8237
Lorraine Siggins, M.D. Chief Psychiatrist
Howard Blue, M.D. Clinical Director
Department phone: 203.432.0290
Hours: weekdays from 8:30 – 5:00
After hours and on weekends, emergency care is available through the Urgent Care Department: 203.432.0123
Mental Health and Counseling
203.432.0290
Mental health and counseling services are available at Yale University Health Services (YUHS), 17 Hillhouse Avenue (3rd floor), New Haven. The department is committed to caring for the psychological concerns of undergraduate, graduate, and professional school students. Care is provided by mental health professionals – psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and clinical social workers.
Who Is Eligible
- Every Yale student is entitled to counseling at the Yale University Health Services (YUHS) Mental Health and Counseling Center completely free of charge regardless of your health plan.
The official policy provides a “course of brief therapy.” Brief therapy may be a semester or 3-4 months each year. Most students come for less time, and the number of sessions may be adjusted if needed.
- Some students go to the Mental Health & Counseling Center for ongoing therapy and some for just a few visits.
- Consultations, counseling, psychotherapy, and crisis intervention are available to all students and to eligible spouses and same-sex domestic partners. A referral is not needed and appointments can be made by phone and or in person for an initial consultation.
How to Make an Appointment
- Call the Mental Health and Counseling receptionists at 203-432-0290 or walk in on the 3rd floor of YUHS, 17 Hillhouse Ave
- Regular offices hours are 8:30-5 on weekdays
- The receptionist will ask if you are an enrolled student and if you’ve ever been seen in Mental Health & Counseling before
- An appointment will be made for an initial evaluation within a few days of contacting the department or the same day in an urgent situation. During this session, the clinician will discuss your concerns and treatment options. These include counseling, short-term therapy, group therapy, couples and marriage counseling, alcohol and drug counseling, sex counseling and medication when appropriate. Therapy groups usually address a range of issues, but some may have a particular focus such as eating concerns or bereavement. Sexual assault support groups are also available.
Appointments
Appointments are generally available from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. weekdays. Appointments can be scheduled by calling the department (432.0290) between 8:30 and 5:00 or coming in person to our 3rd floor office during those hours.
Confidentiality
- Mental Health & Counseling records are separate from other medical records and are kept in a locked room in the Mental Health & Counseling Center Department.
- The Mental Health & Counseling Center will not release information about who is a patient- not even to Masters, Deans, family, friends, coaches, employers, or the government.
- Everything discussed with a mental health clinician is held in strictest confidence and is not communicated to anyone without your permission, except in the rare of instance of a life-threatening situation.
- Deans are notified only in the case of hospitalization.
A note about hospitalization: On those very rare occasions when a student may be a danger to him or herself, or to others, he or she may be hospitalized. Hospitalization does not lead to automatic medical leave.
Is there a fee for Services?
All mental health services are provided free of charge at YUHS.
Emergency Services
Mental health professionals are available 24:7 for emergency and urgent situations. During regular office hours a clinician may be reached through the Department of Mental Health & Counseling (203.432.0290). After office hours and on weekends and holidays, a mental health clinician may be reached through the Urgent Care Department (203.432.0123).
Rape Crisis/Sexual Assault
Call 203-432-6653. Counselors available to talk to students or meet with them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Information also available at: Sexual Harassment and Assault Resources and Education – The SHARE Center
Reasons to Seek Counseling
Students seek counseling for many different reasons, including:
- Academic stress
- Alcohol/drug issues
- Anxiety
- Body image
- Competition
- Compulsions
- Depression
- Eating concerns
- Family illness
- Gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender issues
- Loss and grief
- Obsessions
- Parental divorce
- Relationships
-family
-friends
-romantic
-roommates - Self-esteem
- Sexual assault
- Sexual concerns
- Sexual orientation and identity
- Traumatic experiences
Facts
15-18% of the student population seeks mental health counseling from YUHS each year.
80-90% of people with depression respond to treatment (American College Health Association)
Therapy Sessions
Individual & Couples Therapy
- Sessions are 45-50 minutes in length, once / week
- How often you see a therapist depends on your personal needs
- You can request a male or female therapist and can switch therapists if it does not feel like a good match
- Sex counseling for couples or individuals
- Couples counseling is available for same sex and opposite sex couples
The Mental Health & Counseling Center has approximately 25 therapists. This staff includes psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers. Psychiatrists are always available and can prescribe medication if necessary.
Group Therapy
- Group therapy includes 5-8 people and 2 therapists. Groups meet once / week for the entire academic year. Current groups include:
- General therapy
- Eating disorders
- Sexual assault support
- Return from medical leave
New groups can be started when there is enough interest.
Resources
Mental Health & Counseling 432-0290
8:30-5 Mon-Fri
Urgent Care 432-0123
24 hours / day, 7 days / week
Sexual Harassment and Assault Resources and Education - The SHARE Center 432-6653
24 hours / day, 7 days / week
Substance Abuse 432-1891
Counselor Dr. Marie Baker
Student Medicine 432-0312
8:30-5 Mon-Fri
Student Health Education 432-1892
Walden 432-TALK (8255)
8pm-8am 7 days / week
Walk-ins 8 pm-1am 7 days / week
Welch Basement A05
General Information 432-0246
www.yale.edu/yuhs
Online Screenings
- YUHS offers free, anonymous, and confidential online screenings to Yale students.
- The purpose is to help students determine if consultation with a mental health counselor would be helpful
- Only the student sees the results
Click here for anonymous and confidential online screenings for Depression, Eating Disorders, Alcohol, Anxiety/PTSD
Links
American Psychological Association:
www.APA.org
American Psychiatric Association
www.psych.org
National Institute of Mental Health
www.nimh.nih.gov
Health Wise
www.healthwise.net/yhp
Search “Mental Health”
General Questions
www.goaskalice.com
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
www.samhsa.gov
General Questions
http://psychcentral.com/
The SHARE Center (Sexual Health Awareness Resources & Education)
http://www.yale.edu/uhs/med_services/share.html
