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SUNY GCC - Genesee Community College

Counseling

GCC is committed to the mental health and well-being of all students. We offer a variety of free counseling services to all enrolled students.

Students often have the answer to their problems inside them. Often, the solutions are just below the surface and waiting to emerge. Sometimes that knowledge is buried very deep and takes time to mine.

Our counselors work with students to clarify problems, design plans and resolve whatever feelings are blocking the road to solution. Services are free of charge to registered students and confidential in nature, with exceptions being danger to self or others, supervision and consultation, and child abuse.

Counseling Services

Individual Counseling

This is the most popular service offered by the Counseling Center. Work one-on-one with a counselor in an effort to define your concerns and develop a strategy to address them. This is a collaborative effort between the counselor and student.

Crisis Services

Life sometimes hands us situations that are unexpected or traumatic. Our staff is ready to offer immediate assistance to students who feel that they need to talk now. Come to the Counseling Center in C219, let us know what you need, and we will do our best to arrange a time to meet that day.

Consultation Services

There may be times when you as a student, faculty member, or staff member have concerns about a student on campus. We encourage you to contact us. Together we can discuss your concerns, explore options and facilitate a referral to the Counseling Center if needed.

Outreach Services

Counselors in the center are available to do an introductory lecture about the Counseling Center and/or a specific issue of concern. The latter might focus on crisis management, group dynamics, interpersonal communications, or other issues affecting the campus environment.

Make an Appointment

Appointments can be made by sending an email to counseling@genesee.edu. We will respond to your message within 24 hours. We suggest that you provide a few times during the week when you will be available to meet via phone or zoom video. We will send a zoom link to your email in advance of your scheduled meeting time. Please do not use this email to convey a mental health emergency. Please call your local crisis line or see our Emergencies webpage for emergency contact information.

How does counseling work:

It is common in counseling to hear, “Students have the answer to their problems inside them; we just have to draw the solutions out and make the individual aware of their resources.” This is generally true, and ideally, the solutions are just below the surface and waiting to emerge. However, sometimes that knowledge and self-belief are buried very deep and may take some time and effort to mine. In any case, the counselor works with the student to:

  • Clarify what the problem is.
  • Design a plan to resolve the problem.
  • Help the individual resolve whatever feelings are blocking the road to solution.

Student responsibility:
In order to best utilize your appointments, the student will:

  • Participate actively in the sessions
  • Be on time for your appointments.
  • Cancel appointments as soon as is practicable prior to your meeting if you cannot make it.

Counselor responsibility:

In order to assist you with your growth process, the counselor will:

  • Listen non-judgmentally to what you have to say.
  • Be respectful of you as a person.
  • Be on time for your appointments, so you can get the full benefit from your session.
  • Cancel appointments as soon as is practicable prior to your meeting if he or she is not available.

Other Helpful Resources

Wellness Center:
585-343-0055 ext. 6835

GCC Campus Safety:
585-343-0055 ext. 6240 or ext. 6500

United Memorial Medical Center:
585-343-6030

YWCA Domestic Violence Services:
585-343-7513

Veterans Crisis Line:
1-800-273-8255

Care and Crisis Helpline:
585-344-4400 (or 1-844-345-4400 toll free)

RESTORE Sexual Assault Services:
1-800-527-1757

USA National Suicide Hotline:
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) or text 988

National Sexual Assault Hotline:
1-800-656-HOPE (1-800-656-4673)

Local Domestic Violence Hotline:
585-343-7513

National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233)

GLBT National Help Center HOTLINE:
1-888-843-4564

GLBT National Youth Talkline:
1-800-246-PRIDE (1-800-246-7743)