Parents and Family

The Counseling Center welcomes parents and family to contact us if you have any questions or concerns about a student.  Parents and family members may have a variety of concerns -- for example, how the student is handling the loss of a loved one, going through a breakup, showing signs of depression, having problems with attention or concentration, or just not acting like his or her usual self.  If you are concerned about someone and the problem is an EMERGENCY, click here.

The Counseling Center provides free consultation to family and friends of our students.  “Consultation” means seeking advice or information from one of our professional staff.  We can help you understand the nature of a particular problem, how you can be of assistance to the student, and what to do (or what not to do).  We can also inform you about other resources on campus or in the community that can be of help.

To speak with a counselor, just call 607-436-3368 and ask for a counselor to consult with.  If there is not a counselor available, leave a number and times we can reach you, and the soonest available counselor will get back to you.  If you are not able to call during regular business hours (8:30-noon and 1-4:30 p.m. M-F) you can email a staff member by clicking on any of the links on our STAFF page.  

Clarification about Confidentiality:

Please understand that we realize it can be difficult to be worried about a son, daughter, or family member and not have information about services they are seeking.  If we have had professional contact with your student, information about that contact is confidential unless they give us permission to share (please see below).  However, we may still be able to have a discussion with you -- as we would for any person who calls with questions about how they can help a student handle a psychological issue.  In such cases, we base the consultation on the information you give us and we do not reveal or imply any information a student has given us in confidence.

If a student is 18 or older and they are receiving counseling services, all information (including whether they are a client) is confidential.  This is a legal and ethical requirement, and it provides the student with their own confidential space to air out difficulties.  Exceptions include when a student is at imminent risk of harm to self or others, or reports abuse of a child.  Exceptions also include when a student signs a written release of information that allows some or all information to be shared with specific identified parties.  For or more on Confidentiality policy, click here.

Read the NY State Office of Mental Health brochure for parents of children in college with reference to depression and suicide in their suicide prevention brochure.

For more information about the College of Oneonta Counseling Center visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Also check out the resources for parents on the College of Oneonta First Year Experience website!