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Our Counseling Services is partnered with Hartford HealthCare to provide resources for a variety of mental health issues and situations such as stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, sexual violence, eating disorders, grief, and alcohol or drug abuse — all at no cost. We strive to promote the educational success of students by supporting their intellectual, emotional, and social development through the provision of culturally aware clinical services. Our staff is committed to creating a welcoming and affirming space where all members of the QU community are valued and celebrated.
Services we offer include:
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Diagnostic Evaluation
Each student seeking help through the counseling service is evaluated by the counselor assigned to the case. At the end of the first visit, the diagnostic evaluation is completed, and the student is given feedback regarding the nature of the problem and how it might be resolved or treated.
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Urgent Visit Services
Emergency evaluation and intervention are available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Any student in crisis is seen promptly by a counselor during reserved urgent visit hours. If a student feels that they can’t wait, they should call 203-407-4020 and follow the prompts to speak with a mental health professional over the phone, or go directly to the emergency rooms of Yale-New Haven Hospital or The Hospital of Saint Raphael.
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Same Day Consultation (in-person and telehealth)
Students may contact the Counseling Center by calling 203-407-4020.
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Individual Counseling (in-person and telehealth)
Confidential consultation with a counselor is available to any undergraduate or graduate student. In this modality, counselors generally rely upon brief treatment methods.
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Consultation to Faculty and Staff
Counselors frequently provide consultation to faculty members or staff who may have concerns about the well-being or functioning of a student. For consultation services, counselors may be contacted by phone or email.
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Outreach Programs
Outreach Programs are offered to the university community as requested. Typical presentation topics include introduction to the Office of Counseling Services, anxiety, depression, suicide prevention, mindfulness, etc.
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Referral and Consultation to Off-Campus Physicians and Therapists
In situations where a student has requested a referral to a community provider or has been referred to an off campus mental health professional, we can assist in transfer of care. With the student’s permission our counselors will contact the provider and share their evaluation of the student being referred.
Group Therapy
Groups are held in the Mount Carmel Campus Recreation and Wellness Center group therapy room, unless noted otherwise. To learn more about group therapy, contact Counseling Services at 203-407-4020 or QUCounseling.general@hhchealth.org.
Groups offered include:
Navigating Your Stressful Family
When: Group is open ended and will start based on student need
Where: Recreation and Wellness Center, Counseling, Second floor
Topic: Are you supporting a family member with a substance addition or mental health issue? Is there stress related to a parental divorce? Do you feel like you are walking on eggshells around specific family members? Is there a lot of anger and hostility in your family? If so, you have the opportunity to connect with other students and share your story as well as gain information, strategies and support in this support group. The Counseling Center is providing a safe, nonjudgmental and confidential group.
Facilitated by: Jennifer Zitser MSW, LCSW
How to join: If you are interested in participating, contact Jennifer.Zitser@hhchealth.org to sign up. Group date and time will depend on the availability/preference of student interested in attending.
Grief Group
When: Weekly on Thursdays, 4:30–5:30 p.m., now through the end of the year
Where: Recreation and Wellness Center, Counseling, Second floor
Topic: You’ve lost someone important to you. Your grief may always be there, or it may present itself at unexpected times. You may feel confused, angry, sad, or alone. However you are feeling, we will provide a safe and supportive environment to express yourself and find support from others who likely know how you feel. This group will help you create meaningful connections with others and find support for your grief.
Facilitated by: Adrienne Koenigsberg MSW, LCSW
How to join: If you are interested in participating, please contact Adrienne.Koenigsberg@hhchealth.org to sign up.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Skills Group
When: Weekly on Tuesdays, 9–10 a.m., now through the end of the year
Where: Recreation and Wellness Center, Counseling, Second floor
Topic: You will learn the five essential modules of DBT: mindfulness, emotional regulations, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness and walking the middle path. The DBT skills group is for students who would like to learn to cope more effectively with intense emotions, addictive behaviors and/or relationship struggles. The group is to help increase basic life skills on how to manage painful emotions and be able to create balance in your life through a commitment to the program but, more importantly, to yourself!
Facilitated by: Sheila van den Broeck, LCSW
How to join: If you are interested in participating and are already seen in the Counseling Center, please speak with your current counselor for a referral. If you are not currently receiving services in the Counseling Center, please call 203-407-4020 for a pre-group screening appointment.
A Mindfulness and Meditation Group Series
When: Weekly on Mondays, 5–6 p.m. (or as decided by group members)
Where: Recreation and Wellness Center, Counseling, Second floor
Topic: Mindfulness is about developing a conscious awareness of your thoughts, emotions, impulses and behaviors, and using that awareness to cultivate a space between you and your thoughts, emotions and impulses so that you can become more awake, compassionate and deliberate in your life and experiences
What will I learn in the mindfulness and meditation group?
You will learn how to be present in your life, develop compassion towards yourself and others, and see the world actually as it is- unclouded by judgments. Along with the basic biology behind why you think and feel what you do and how to change it. Further, you will learn how to respond — and not react — to unpleasant situations and emotions that arise in your life. Lastly, you will create and/or nourish a growing meditation practice that will aid you in your life for years to come.
Facilitated by: Jennifer Zitser, LCSW
How to join: If you are interested in participating, contact Jennifer.Zitser@hhchealth.org
The Hartford HealthCare Behavioral Health Network affiliates provide a full array of behavioral health services for all ages, with specialty services to treat the full spectrum of mental health needs.
Learn more about the Behavioral Health Network
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