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Division of Student Affairs
Counseling Center

Our Mission

The Counseling Center provides mental health services to support student well-being, promote personal and academic success, and foster a healthy campus community. 

What We Offer

ESF Counseling Center offers a flexible model to provide students with the appropriate level of service. We seek to meet students where they are in the change process while promoting autonomy and empowerment.

Students presenting with a concern that requires resources not available at the Counseling Center will be referred to off campus resources during a single session appointment.

TimelyCare is available 24/7—you can meet with a therapist today! Using your ESF credentials, log in at timelycare.com/esf to meet with a therapist.

Levels of Service:

I need to be watered: I would benefit from 1-3 sessions.

  • Specific concern that can be addressed in a few sessions
  • Relationship/roommate issues
  • Financial/academic/career concerns
  • Motivation concerns
  • Concerned about someone else
  • Experienced a recent loss
  • Post-graduation support
  • Concerned about current events

I need to address my roots: I would benefit from individual therapy.

  • Trauma such as recent loss, traumatic physical injury, witnessing violence, sexual/physical/emotional abuse
  • Family dynamics
  • Grief
  • Identity concerns
  • Anxiety
  • Depression

I need to be repotted: I would benefit from one session to be referred to off campus resources. 

  • Require or expect weekly/long-term therapy
  • Medication services
  • Seeking a formal diagnosis or evaluation
  • Active substance use
  • Disordered eating
  • Exploring outside resources such as hormone therapy, specialized therapy

 The Counseling Center also offers:

  • Educational programming on a wide variety of mental health topics - Look for us tabling in Gateway!
  • Educational workshops for your class, club or organization can be scheduled by contacting (315)-470-4716 or emailing Erica Allen, Director of Counseling at counseling@esf.edu  

Crisis Sessions

We offer crisis sessions (no appointment is needed) during the Fall and Spring semesters.  Crisis intervention is not a typical counseling session and will last approximately 20 minutes.  The goal is to assess the student’s safety and implement coping skills to help the student return to their typical level of functioning.

We offer crisis sessions Monday – Friday, during the Fall and Spring semesters, no appointment is needed:

  • 10:00 a.m.
  • 10:20 a.m.
  • 10:40 a.m.
  • 2:00 p.m.
  • 2:20 p.m.
  • 2:40 p.m.

Some examples of a mental health crisis include:

  • Having thoughts of suicide or harming oneself
  • Having thoughts of harming someone else
  • Believing your life is in danger.
  • Hearing voices or seeing things that other people are not seeing or hearing.
  • Recently having experienced a physical or sexual assault.
  • Experiencing an overwhelming loss, such as the death of a family member.

Meet the Staff

Erica Allen, Director of Counseling

Erica is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with over 12 years of professional experience in the field. Throughout her career, Erica has worked within community mental health and educational settings where she has honed her skills in providing comprehensive counseling services to students from diverse backgrounds. Erica understands the courage it takes to come in for counseling and believes in empowering students to overcome obstacles, develop resilience, and achieve their full potential.

As the Director of Counseling, Erica plays a pivotal role in overseeing the counseling department and developing comprehensive programs that address the unique needs of students. Her expertise and passion make her an invaluable resource. 

Joelle Conant, Staff Therapist

Joelle is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker from Syracuse, New York. She obtained her Master of Social Work degree from Syracuse University and is also a certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist. Her areas of focus include relationship problems, grief and loss, anxiety, depression and college transitions. She has experience in case management as well as substance abuse counseling. Joelle provides students with harm reduction strategies to address substance use concerns and support academic success. She believes in using a Strength-Based approach to support students in meeting their personal life goals. She is a member of the American Counseling Association.

Caroline Goldschein, Staff Therapist 

Caroline is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with experience in both college mental health counseling and substance use treatment. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY Geneseo and her master’s in counseling from Villanova University. Her areas of interest include treatment of anxiety, depression, and substance use-related concerns. Caroline strives to support her clients through life changes, especially the transition to college. Prior to her work as a therapist, she also held positions in residence life and academic advising, and she uses this knowledge and experience to better support students in her role as a therapist.

Caroline is a member of the American Counseling Association and previously served on the Diversity/Inclusion Committee of the American College Counseling Association. 

Lauren Becksted, Administrative Assistant I

Since joining the Counseling Center in 2020, Lauren has built a reputation as an indispensable member of the team. Her extensive background in office administration enables her to excel in a variety of tasks. Her strong communication skills make her particularly adept at handling phone calls and coordinating with clients. Her attention to detail, organizational skills, and dedication to her career have made her a pillar of the department. She is a valuable liaison between different departments, ensuring smooth communication and collaboration. Lauren is a valuable resource for students and supports them in navigating their path.