The Counseling Center

The King’s College Counseling Center provides a safe and confidential setting in which students can explore personal concerns in order to achieve satisfying relationships, gain self-awareness, improve academic performance, set personal goals, and make effective and satisfying career and life choices.

The Counseling Center exists to assist students in maintaining their optimum level of health and wellness so that they are best able to achieve their goals. Our counseling philosophy takes a holistic approach, focusing on the emotional, physical, academic, social and spiritual growth of each student.

The King’s College Counseling Center is available to all students without charge. All files are confidential and not a part of a student’s educational record.

How Do I Know if I Should Seek Counseling?

If you or someone you know has been:

• drinking too much or taking drugs
• eating or sleeping differently
• having difficulty concentrating
• feeling helpless or hopeless
• having dramatic mood swings
• so anxious, afraid, or depressed that everyday activities and relationships with others have been affected
• performing poorly at work or school
• physically, sexually, or emotionally abused by others
• suffering from low self-esteem
• experiencing conflictual relationships with family, friends, co-workers, or significant others
• having reactions to an event that are in excess of what might be expected
• experiencing a crisis or stressful event, like a death in the family, divorce, or break-up of a relationship
• thinking about suicide

What is confidentiality?
All therapeutic services at The King’s College Counseling Center are strictly confidential. This means that nothing students share with a therapist is revealed to anyone outside of the Counseling Center without the student’s permission. We do not disclose student names or identifying information to anyone outside of the Counseling Center including other students, family, professors and administrators.

In order to provide students with the highest quality of care, a therapist may consult with other counseling center staff. Other than these internal consultations, it is the student’s decision whether to tell anyone that they are in counseling. If, for example, a student would like us to speak with someone about an aspect of their mental health care, we can do so only with the student’s permission.

Are there limits to confidentiality?
Yes. There are situations in which we are required by law and/or professional ethics to release information. These include:

• Our assessment that a student may be a danger to himself or others.
• Our assessment that a child or elder is being abused, neglected or exploited.
• Requirement to present records or information as a part of a legal proceeding.

If any of these situations arise our staff will make every effort to discuss with students what steps will be taken.

Are My Counseling Records Made a Part of My Permanent File?
No. No information about your contact with the Counseling Center is kept in your permanent academic or financial record.

Can Counselors Share Information About Me with Others?
Therapists are unable to release any information about you without your permission. If you want your counselor to talk with someone else you may sign an authorization form. This legal document enables your counselor to discuss any matter of your choosing with a specified person.

On rare occasions, the Dean of Students will mandate a student to have a psychological evaluation at the Counseling Center. This is done to ensure student health and safety. If this student does not attend a mandated evaluation, Counseling Center staff may inform the referring source. At the appointment, the student will be asked to provide written consent to relay pertinent information back to the referring administrator. This information often includes, but is not limited to, whether the student attended the session(s) and the treatment plan and factors that may put students’ health at-risk.

While Counseling Center staff conduct mandated psychological evaluations of students of concern, we do not provide mandated counseling. All counseling sessions at the Counseling Center are voluntary, confidential and private.

There are some institutions that ask whether students have been in counseling on their application forms (e.g. the Peace Corps, the C.I.A., state bar associations). If a student informs these organizations that he has been in counseling, the organizations are likely to ask permission to seek information from your counselor; however, no outside agency will be informed of student contact with the Counseling Center unless that student gives explicit permission.

In addition to the policies about confidentiality above, students requesting counseling services will be asked to read and sign our Counseling Agreement at their first appointment. This document describes Counseling Center policies and procedures including confidentiality. Your counselor will also review this with you in your first meeting.

Effective therapy requires an atmosphere of trust. Questions about confidentiality, or any aspect of therapy, can be raised with your therapist or any Counseling Center staff member at any time.

What We Offer

Getting Started - Screening and Assessment
The purpose of your initial appointment with a counselor is to evaluate your concerns, problems and goals. Some problems are adequately resolved during this time. When additional counseling is appropriate, you and the counselor will decide which resources currently available at the Counseling Center, other departments, or in the community are best suited to your particular needs.

You may schedule an appointment by emailing counseling@tkc.edu and can expect a response within 24 hours.

If your concern is more urgent but not life threatening, you may contact the College Emergency Phone: Midtown/Commuter Students (917) 346-9157, Ludlow (646) 242-4411 or Clark Street (646) 770-5511. For life threatening situations, call 911 immediately.

Individual Counseling
Students can work with a counselor to explore concerns and work toward a better understanding and resolution of their difficulties. On campus counseling is arranged via the Screening and Assessment appointment, as long as there is counselor availability appropriate for the student’s needs. The student will be asked to fill out and sign the Intake Form/Counseling Agreement.

Group Services
The Counseling Center offers groups and workshops at various times throughout the academic year. Suggestions and ideas are always welcome, and may be emailed to counseling@tkc.edu.

Referrals for Private Therapy
In the case of problems that exceed the scope of the Center's short term counseling focus, or when resources are not available within The King’s College Counseling Center, your counselor will assist you in obtaining private therapy. The cost of such therapy is not included in your student fees. Student Health Insurance, or other comparable health insurance plans, may reimburse part of the cost of private therapy. Your counselor will discuss additional possible options to help defray costs if a referral for private therapy is made. Most off-campus counseling centers offer affordable low fee and sliding scale fees for students. Please see our Therapy Referrals page for more details.