What to Expect at the Counseling Center

What We Offer and How to Get Help

Counseling Services at FIT

The Counseling Center offers free, confidential mental health support to all registered, degree-seeking students. We help students manage challenges, build coping skills, and work toward personal and academic goals.

We use a short-term treatment model. This means we focus on:

  • Addressing current concerns
  • Building resilience
  • Developing tools to navigate college life

Due to our limited counselor availability, we are unable to offer long-term or intensive therapy. When a student’s needs fall outside our scope of care, we provide referrals to community providers who can better meet those needs. 

At your first visit, you’ll meet with a counselor for a brief consultation to discuss your situation. If your needs fit within our scope, we’ll set goals together and begin treatment. If you need more frequent or specialized care, we’ll help you connect with providers in the community, usually through your health insurance.

Who Can Use Our Services?

All registered, degree-seeking FIT students are eligible at no cost.

Is Counseling Confidential?

Yes. Information shared in counseling is private and not disclosed to parents, professors, or other offices without your written consent. The only exceptions are when there is an immediate risk of harm to yourself or others.

How to Get Started

  1. Call (212) 217-4260 or visit the Counseling Center (Mon–Fri, 9 AM–5 PM) to schedule an appointment. If you call after hours, leave a message and we’ll return your call.
  2. Complete intake forms through your Student Health Portal (instructions are emailed to you).
  3. Meet with a counselor for an initial appointment. Together, you’ll decide the best next steps, which may include:
    • Short-term therapy at the Counseling Center
    • Group counseling or workshops
    • Referral to a community provider

Tip: Reach out early. Getting support before things feel overwhelming can help you stay on track personally and academically.

Common Concerns We Help With

Students often come to us for:

  • Anxiety or excessive worry
  • Sadness, loneliness, or low motivation
  • Relationship or social challenges
  • Difficulty managing emotions
  • Recent trauma or painful experiences
  • Identity concerns (racial/ethnic, gender, sexuality, culture, religion)
  • Family conflict or grief and loss
  • Academic stress, perfectionism, or time management struggles
  • Low self-esteem or body image concerns
  • Difficulty concentrating or falling behind in classes
  • Stressful life events (loss, illness, breakups, transitions)

When a Referral Is More Appropriate

Some concerns require specialized or intensive treatment that we cannot provide. We refer to community providers when students need:

  • Ongoing or long-term therapy and/or medication management services
  • Specialized treatment for substance use or eating disorders
  • Stabilization for active psychotic symptoms
  • Support for chronic suicidality or frequent self-harm
  • Care following repeated psychiatric hospitalizations
  • Psychological testing (e.g., for disability accommodations)
  • Documentation for Emotional Support Animals
  • Mandated or court-ordered treatment

We May Also Refer or Decline Services If:

  • Sessions are repeatedly missed or not engaged with
  • Weekly or more intensive care is required
  • Behavior is disruptive or unsafe toward staff or others

How Does A Referral to An Outside Mental Health Provider Work?

The Counseling Center will provide you with a referral list for outpatient clinics and individual providers in your area. If you have your own health insurance coverage, you will likely be covered for these services. If you hold the college student health insurance, please visit Haylor website for further clarification.

Do You Take Walk-Ins?

Due to the clinical staff schedule, we cannot accommodate walk-ins.  However, if you are experiencing an emergency or the situation is urgent, please come in or call us.  If you are in crisis, someone will see you to assess the need to see a counselor immediately or take further action.

Can I See a Counselor Virtually, Too?

The Counseling Center offers virtual or in-person sessions, based on your request and the availability of our counselors. For virtual appointments, students must be located in the state of New York. 

Crisis and Urgent Support

During business hours: Call or walk in to speak with a counselor.

After hours:

Worried About a Friend?

You can consult with a counselor during business hours about how to support them.

Appointments and Attendance

  • All visits are by appointment unless urgent.
  • If you cannot attend, please call to cancel so the time can be offered to another student.
  • After two missed appointments without notice, we assume you’re not continuing services. Referrals can be provided if needed.

Concerns or Complaints

  • If you have concerns about your care, contact the Counseling Center Director, [email protected].

  • If your concern involves the Director, contact the Dean of Students, [email protected].

We are committed to your safety and well-being, and we will work with you to assess your situation and connect you with the appropriate level of support.