Frequently
Asked Questions
Do I need
to have Stevens Insurance to visit the Student Counseling, Psychological & Disability Services? Is there a cost?
No. Student Counseling, Psychological, and Disability Services is available to all enrolled Stevens undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of insurance. There is no cost for services. Services are free and confidential.
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Appointments are recommended, with the exception of emergencies. To make an appointment you can drop by our office in the Howe Center on the 7th floor, call our main number at 201-216-5177 or e-mail us at stevenscounseling@stevens.edu.
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All interactions with the SCPDS, including scheduling of, attendance of appointments, content of your sessions, progress in counseling, and your records, are confidential within Student Counseling Services.
No record of counseling is contained in any academic, educational or job placement file. At your written request/consent, SCPDS staff will send a report, or talk with persons you designate.
The counseling staff works as a team. Your counselor will consult with other counseling staff to provide you with the best possible care. Staff consultations are for professional and training purposes. Information will not be disclosed outside of SCPDS without your written consent with the exception of the following:
1) Imminent Harm to Self: If a staff member has reason to believe that you are in danger of physically harming yourself; a psychologist is legally and ethically required to report this information to the proper authorities and others (i.e., family, college administrators, campus police, etc.) as needed to ensure your safety.
2) Imminent Harm to Others: If a staff member has reason to believe that you are seriously threatening harm against another person and if s/he believes that you are a threat to the safety of another person, s/he is legally and ethically required to take some action (such as contacting the police, notifying the other person, contacting college administrators, seeking involuntary hospitalization or some combination of these actions) to ensure that the other person is protected.
3) Abuse of Vulnerable Individuals: If a staff member has reason to believe that a child, an elderly person, or another vulnerable individual(s) is being physically or sexually abused or neglected; s/he is legally obligated to report this situation to the appropriate state agency.
4) Court Order: A court order, issued by a judge, may require the Student Counseling Center staff to release information contained in records and/or require a counselor to testify in a court proceeding. If records are subpoenaed, we will make every effort to keep information confidential within the limits of the law.
Please Note: The exceptions to confidentiality are rare. However, if they should occur it is the Center’s policy that, whenever possible, we will attempt to discuss with you any action that is being considered.
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Our hours are
Fall and Spring Semesters
Monday - Friday 9am-5pm
Evening hours vary by semester
Summer Hours
Monday - Friday 9am-5pm
Our office is located on the 7th floor of the Howe Center.
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If you are concerned about someone you know, you can:
1. Encourage them to come see us. Sometimes it helps to introduce someone to us through our website. You could also offer your support by walking with them to our office and waiting while they attend an intake appointment.
2. You can also meet with one of us to discuss how to reach out to your friend and talk to them about counseling. One possibility may be the sharing of a brochure provided to you by one of our counselors. Our office has an extensive selection of brochures on important topics (e.g. eating disorders, depression, test anxiety, etc.). Sometimes sharing a brochure with the student you are concerned about will open up a conversation about the problem.
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On or before your first appointment you will be asked to fill out a simple intake form. It will have contact information, questions about your background and your current concerns. In your first session you and your counselor will discuss what brings you to counseling, as well as the information on your intake form. You will review the confidentiality policy. If you decide to continue, you will be assigned a counselor.
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