How do I make an appointment?
You can get started by emailing us at bkln-psychservices@liu.edu. You can also call us at 718-488-1266. We look forward to working with you! The clinic is not currently accepting new patients during the summer break. Please feel free to email us to begin counseling in the fall semester. For urgent matters or service during the summer, reach out to The Center for Healthy Living on the Post Campus.
Am I eligible for counseling?
All currently enrolled LIU-Brooklyn students are eligible for our services. You must also be currently residing in NY State, or at least able to do your sessions from a location in NY.
Does the PSC have session limits?
No – as long as you are a registered student at LIU, we are available to you.
Will my parents/professors/the University know if I came to counseling?
The PSC has a strict confidentiality policy. This means that your therapist will not release any of your information without explicit permission from you, except in the rare case of clear danger to you or someone else. If you are 18 or older, it is your right to choose how (or if) you want to share your counseling experience with your parents, friends, coaches, professors, advisors, or prospective employers. Even the fact that you are working with us, or have worked with us, is strictly confidential. You can feel free to reach out with any questions you may have about confidentiality practices for patients under the age of 18.
I am a remote student – can I still start counseling at this clinic?
Yes, if you have a remote accommodation, you will be able to participate in counseling via our secure online platform.
Can I do text or chat-based therapy?
We don’t do text/chat therapy at the PSC, but for text-based help in a crisis, you can contact the Crisis Text Hotline.
Where is the clinic located?
The clinic is located on the 5th floor of the Pratt building in room 510. Enter the Pratt building, take the elevators to the 5th floor, and the clinic is the last door at the end of the hallway.
I’m not going through anything that serious, do I need counseling?
There’s no “must be this stressed to ride” requirement at Psych Services. College comes with a slew of normal academic pressures and developmental concerns that often make people feel stressed, worried, upset, sad, or lonely. Talking with a counselor can help.
Our clinic helps all sorts of people with a wide range of problems, including school stress, anxiety, interpersonal difficulties, depression, low self-esteem, habit control, family concerns, and coping with past trauma. Students who use our services tend to be invested in their personal growth and want to have better relationships with the people and world around them.
If you are uncertain as to whether our services are the best match for what you are going through, you can reach out to us about your concerns by email (bkln-psychservices@liu.edu) or discuss them with your therapist during your intake process.
Are all PSC therapists students?
Yes. The Psychological Services Center is staffed by trained and supervised clinical psychology doctoral students whose therapeutic effectiveness has been empirically supported in multiple research studies. Training is an important aspect of the PSC and allows us to continue to offer our services at no cost.
Can I choose my own therapist?
All of our therapists have received similar training, and so the clinic will most often assign therapists based on availability. However, you may let us know if there are any particular therapist characteristics that may be important to you.
What will therapy be like?
After the brief screening, your first few sessions will usual involve an assessment of what you’re going through and the concerns you’d like to address in your therapy. During this process, your therapist will ask detailed questions about your family, history, current life situation, and emotional experiences in order to better understand where you’re coming from and what you need. When you and your therapist have decided what to focus on in your work, you will develop a therapy plan together.
Most of your time in therapy will be spent talking about your life experiences and difficulties. You may discuss things with your therapist that you don’t share with anyone else – this is normal! Your therapist might also teach you skills such as relaxation and assertiveness techniques, role-play situations with you, or give you homework.
People who tend to experience the best results from therapy are those who attend sessions regularly and are honest with their therapists. This means not only taking the leap of faith to share things in therapy, but being open about the sorts of topics you don’t feel comfortable discussing.
Can I get medication or prescription refills at the PSC?
We do not have a psychiatrist on staff but are happy to offer you referrals. Your therapist can help you decide whether medication might be helpful.
What is psychological assessment?
Psychological assessment is a testing process that uses a series of tasks and evaluations that help you and therapists better understand you and provide valuable insights into your behaviors, skills, and personality. They can also help you pinpoint personal goals for counseling, or help you and your counselor zero in on what’s most important.
In private practice, assessments like ours typically cost several thousand dollars. We offer them to students for free.
Can I get tested for ADD/ADHD/a learning disability here?
Though our assessment process is quite comprehensive, we often recommend external testing for questions about specific learning or attentional disabilities. However, we can give you a more in-depth understanding of a diagnosis you already have, or give you a sense of whether further testing may be helpful for you.
What if I’m not happy with my therapy?
It’s not unusual to feel upset sometimes about what happens in therapy. If you are just starting out, you may find that yourself naturally feeling more comfortable as your therapy progresses. We also encourage you to raise any specific questions or misgivings you may have about your treatment with your therapist; you can expect that they will be open to the conversation and understanding of your concerns. Finally, if discussing the issue with your therapist does not seem viable or satisfactory, you can speak to the Clinic Director at 718-488-1265.
Does the PSC take my insurance? If not, how much does counseling cost out-of-pocket?
Absolutely nothing. All of our services are completely free.
Welcome to the center 