Your First Appointment
Making an Appointment
Making a first appointment at the Counseling Center is necessary, whether you are seeking in-person or virtual counseling, a referral to a community therapist, or a specialized assessment. Here's an overview of making your first appointment and what you can expect.
To make an appointment on any campus, call 914-888-5150 or email CounselingCenter@mercy.edu.
Our email and phones are not monitored continuously. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, call security at 914-674-9999 (if on campus), dial 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.
What is an initial intake appointment?
The initial appointment is a 45-minute in-person intake appointment that will provide you with an opportunity to talk confidentially with a counselor about your immediate concerns. Together, you and your counselor will determine which campus resources and services will be most helpful for you.
Some students find that this initial appointment is sufficient to resolve the immediate concern. Others require ongoing support. If further services would be beneficial, your counselor will discuss next steps and assist you in addressing any concerns you may have.
These additional services may include resources offered by the Counseling Center or a referral to another campus or community resource.
What should I do once I've scheduled an appointment?
Step 1: Complete Paperwork
On the day you schedule your appointment, a Counseling Center staff member will send your appointment confirmation and the initial appointment paperwork to your mercy email address. Please fill out all paperwork in your Health & Wellness Portal in its entirety at least one hour in advance of your appointment time.
Step 2: Arrive to Your Appointment
Please arrive to your in-person initial appointment no more than ten minutes in advance (after you have completed and submitted all your paperwork in its entirety). The location of your appointment will be in your confirmation email.
What if I need to come to the Counseling Center immediately or after 5 p.m.?
We give urgent situations the highest priority. However, the Student Counseling Center is not open after normal business hours, and our counselors are often meeting with other students while in the office. You may call our main number, (914) 888-5150, to schedule an appointment.
If you have any thoughts of hurting yourself or feel that you are in a mental health crisis, please call campus safety at (914) 674-9999, dial 911, or go to the nearest emergency room.
You can also call the 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Through this line, you can talk or text with a trained counselor at any time of the day.
