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    • Counseling Services

    Hours of Operation 

    Maria College Counseling services will be open Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm. Any faculty or staff who require immediate mental health support on campus during normal business hours, or between 5pm–9pm, are encouraged to contact Michael Washco, Director of Counseling Services, (518) 210-5298. If a student is experiencing a mental health crisis after these hours, the student should be encouraged to contact 911, go to the nearest emergency room, or review the Maria College Counseling Services webpage for a list of emergency hotlines.  

    Maria College Counseling Services is currently scheduling appointments for the fall semester. If you would like to make an appointment or obtain information regarding our services please contact our office via email at counseling@mariacollege.edu.

    The Counseling Office offers free and confidential counseling services to all enrolled Maria College students. Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic our counseling services will be offering both remote and in-person appointments. For more information regarding counseling services, appointments, or how to make a referral, please email counseling@mariacollege.edu. If you are experiencing a medical emergency please call 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or see below for emergency hotlines.

    Mission Statement

    Counseling Services supports the overall wellness of the campus community by providing access to free and confidential mental health counseling. Our counselors provide individual and campus-wide educational and referral services for mental health care. Individuals using this service will be assisted with compassion and dignity, and respected in a culturally sensitive, non-judgmental manner.

    Description of Services

    Maria College provides initial assessment and screening for short-term therapy using an evidence-based approach including Solution-Focused, Cognitive Behavioral Therapies, Mindfulness or Positive Psychology method supporting a strength-based perspective. We offer individual, relationship, and group counseling; training and consultation about mental health concerns; crisis intervention and response; and referrals to other on- and off-campus services. All enrolled Maria College students are entitled to an initial consultation and options for future services will be discussed in their first appointment. Most students are seen for ten or fewer individual counseling sessions. Appointments are available by request.

    For more information please contact counseling@mariacollege.edu.

    New Resources

    NYS COVID Emotional Support Hotline
    Online resources for college mental health
    PressPause for Mindfulness Videos
    NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports
    New York State Office of Mental Health
    US Department of Health and Human Services

    • Events
      Mindfulness for Stress Reduction Workshop
      Thursdays, October 14, 21 & 28| 2-3pm 
       
      Maria College Counseling Services will be offering a virtual workshop on Mindfulness for Stress Reduction this October. This workshop will provide you with skills to develop a personal mindfulness practice and take significant empowered steps towards a greater well-being regarding stress. Please contact counseling@mariacollege.edu if you have further questions regarding this workshop or would like to sign up. Read more on this flyer.
    • Reasons to Seek Counseling

      Some reasons for seeking counseling are:

      • Academic Concerns
      • Adjustment to college life
      • Anxiety
      • Depression
      • Difficulty concentrating
      • Difficulties with relationships
      • Eating disorders
      • Grief
      • Loneliness
      • Community referrals
      • Sexual harassment
    • Mental Health Screening Tools

      Mental Health America provides free mental health screening tools. Taking a mental health screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition.

      If you should feel that, after reading this information, you want to access mental health services or want to discuss the results of your screening with a professional you can make an appointment with one of our counselors on campus at no charge.

    • Emergency Contact Numbers
      Hotline:
      Suicide Hotline – (800) 273-TALK (8255)
      Online Crisis Support – CrisisChat.org
      National Crisis Line – 1(800) 273-8255
      National Text Crisis Line – Text HOME to 741741
      National Text Crisis Line for Students of Color – Text STEVE to 741741
      National Trans Lifeline – 1(877) 565-8860
      Samaritan Suicide Prevention 24 Hour Crisis Line – (518) 689-4673
      NY State Office of Mental Health Coronavirus Emotional Support Line – 1(844) 863-9314

      National Problem Gambling Helpline – 1(800) 522 – 4700
      New York Council on Problem Gambling Helpline – 1(877) 846 – 7369
      New York State Addiction Hopeline – 1-877-846-7369
      New York State Addiction Textline – (HOPENY or 467369)

       
      Mental Health:
      Albany County/Capital District Mobile Crisis – (518) 549-6500 
      Samaritan Hospital Crisis/Suicide Prevention Hotline – (518) 274-4345
      Capital District Psychiatric Center Walk-In Crisis Unit – (518) 447-9650
      Four-Winds (Psychiatric) Hospital Saratoga – (518) 584-3600

      Albany Medical Center – (518) 262 – 5511
      Saratoga Community Health Center/Saratoga Hospital – (518) 886-5600

       
      Medical:
      Albany Medical Center Emergency Room – (518) 262-3131
      Albany Memorial Hospital Emergency Care – (518) 471-3111
      Samaritan Hospital Emergency Room – (518) 271-3424
      St. Peter’s Hospital Emergency Room – (518) 525-1324
      Ellis Hospital Emergency Room – (518) 243-4121
       
      Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence:
      Albany County Rape Crisis Center 24 Hour Hotline – (518) 447-7716
      24 Hour Sexual Assault Hotline – (518) 447-7716
      Equinox Domestic Violence Hotline – (518) 432-7865
      Unity House Domestic Violence Hotline – (518) 272-2370
      Rensselaer County Sexual Assault Care Center Hotline – (518) 271-3257
    • Meet the Counselors

      Rachel Lee MA, LMFT
      Mental Health Counselor
      Email: rlee@mariacollege.edu

      Over the course of 16 years as a therapist, Rachel has maintained a high level of commitment to providing service to others. Rachel earned her B.S. in Speech & Hearing Sciences from the State University of New York, University at Buffalo and her M.A.in Counseling Psychology from Lewis & Clark College. As a New York State Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Rachel has worked with individuals of all ages, couples, and families. 

      Her approach to therapy is integrative, as she takes a client-centered and solution-focused approach so that her clients are active in their therapeutic experience. She is committed to social justice issues and assisting individuals to discover their strengths, voice, skills, and unique abilities. Rachel has experience applying this counseling philosophy in a variety of human service, clinical, and educational settings.

      Rachel is a native New Yorker, happy to have returned home after living in Oregon and Massachusetts for many years. Mindfulness and personal yoga practice, as well as the use of food for mood, are integral in her life. When not working, you can find Rachel spending time with her husband, daughter, dogs, hiking/camping, taking pictures, observing wildlife, and exploring the Adirondack Mountains.

       

      Michael Washco MS, LMHC, CASAC
      Director of Counseling Services
      Assistant Professor, Arts & Sciences
      Email: mwashco@mariacollege.edu

      Michael earned his B.S. in Sociology and M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling from the State University of New York, University at Albany. He has over 10 years of experience teaching and developing a variety of course work in psychology, sociology, counseling psychology, and addiction at the post-secondary level.

      In addition to his educational pursuits, Michael has over 15 years of clinical experience as a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor and New York State Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor. He has worked in a variety of clinical settings addressing addiction, mental health, and crisis counseling.

      Outside of the classroom Michael enjoys running, college basketball, and spending time with his wife and two children.

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