Counseling Drop-In Visits
Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) provides Counseling Drop-In Visits in several locations across campus. If you are interested in attending counseling drop-ins, begin by navigating to the section titled, “How do I access counseling drop-in visits?” on this page to find your preferred drop-in.
No drop-in during Summer Recess and will resume at the start of the Fall 2026 semester.
On This Page
Counseling Drop-In Visits Through CPS
Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) offers a wide range of drop-in options for students. Students are seen at drop-in visits on a first-come, first-served basis, including for Urgent Mental Health Concerns drop-ins.
If you have a CPS provider already, we encourage you to discuss your concerns with them unless you need immediate mental health support.
There are also resources available for students any time of day or night through the Coping Tools and Self-help and Crisis Resources pages.
The drop-in visit types include:
Urgent mental health concerns drop-ins are intended for students who are experiencing high levels of distress and need immediate support from a mental health professional. If you are experiencing a true psychiatric emergency, you may also call 988, 911, or visit a local emergency room.
Problem-solving drop-ins include discussions about everyday stressors and concerns impacting emotional well-being. Often a single conversation may help students gain clarity and find ways to manage a time-sensitive problem. Among the typical problems addressed in these sessions are relationship problems, adjustment to campus life, career concerns, acculturation, or anxiety about academics.
Multicultural concerns drop-ins include discussions with providers who have experience and interest in working with multicultural concerns such as acculturation, the intersections of race/ethnicity/gender in identity formation, and racial/ethnic microaggressions.
Gender and sexual health drop-ins include consultations with providers experienced in working with sexual health, gender or sexual identity, and relationship concerns. Examples of issues that might be discussed during these drop-in sessions include:; difficulty and/or inability to orgasm; difficulty with arousal or lack of desire; erectile concerns; reproductive concerns (concerns regarding infertility, egg/embryo retrieval, IVF, pregnancy, contraception, abortion, etc.) navigating romantic relationships (concerns with sexual intimacy/pleasure, mismatched libidos, different erotic desires, etc.); distressing sexual behavior (concerns re: use of pornography, masturbation, etc.)
Student athlete drop-ins include discussions with providers—many of them former collegiate athletes—with special interest in working with student athletes’ concerns. Examples of issues that might be addressed during these drop-in sessions are performance anxiety; balancing social, academic, and athletics demands; adjustment to injuries or role transitions; and conflict with teammates or coaches.
Care navigation visits are discussions with a CPS social worker about care you are receiving at CPS or with an off-campus provider. Common topics include switching providers; planning for care when away from New York state; comments about care received with CPS or a provider seen off campus. Visits are typically brief, and if the matter is not resolved during the visit, our social workers follow up with you.
Drop-ins are generally intended to be a one-time visit with a CPS provider to gain clarity around an issue and develop a plan to address it. If needed, CPS will refer you to additional care beyond one visit. Drop-in hours provide supplemental support and aren’t a substitute for traditional counseling or other treatment options.
Note that CPS adheres to strict standards of confidentiality.
What do I do if I’m experiencing a mental health emergency?
If you’re experiencing a mental health emergency outside of clinic hours, please call 212-854-2878 and follow the recorded directions to speak with a clinician or dial 911.
You may also contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or visiting their website.
Who is eligible?
All Morningside and Manhattanville students who have paid the full-time Columbia Health and Related Services fee are eligible to attend these drop-in visits. This includes students registered at Teachers College, Jewish Theological Seminary, and Union Theological Seminary.
How do I access counseling drop-in visits?
CPS holds drop-ins at various locations across campus, including academic buildings and residence halls.
Students are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Your drop-in provider may refer you to individual therapy, support groups, or Urgent Concerns drop-in counseling so that you get the appropriate support.
For updates about what is open or closed in real time, please visit the Same Day Care page.
Please note: No drop-in during Summer Recess and will resume at the start of the Fall 2026 semester.
*Note that graduate students may not attend the problem-solving drop-in hours that are offered in undergraduate residence halls.
If you’re attending the Multicultural Concerns or Gender and Sexual Health drop-ins, please let front desk staff in 502 Lerner know when you check in.
If you are unavailable during Care Navigation drop-in hours, you may instead email [email protected] for assistance. Please note that this email isn’t monitored daily and should not be used for emergencies or urgent matters.
How much does it cost?
There is no fee for counseling drop-in visits for students who have paid the full-time Columbia Health and Related Services Fee.
What else do I need to know?
Drop-in hours aren’t intended to replace traditional counseling. If you already have a CPS provider, we encourage you to reach out to them about your concerns instead of using drop-ins.
Where can I learn more about this?
You can learn about the drop-in schedules for CPS and other Columbia Health departments on the Same Day Care page. This page outlines what resources are open and how to access them.
Frequently Asked Questions
You don’t need to decide alone. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope, scared, or unsafe in any way, we’re here to help evaluate your situation and support you.
If you feel you pose an immediate danger to yourself or others, it is best to go to your nearest Psychiatric Emergency Department or dial 911 for help.
You have several options: You can drop in at one of our Problem-Solving hours or you can call us at 212-854-2878 and ask for a social work consultation. We can talk through your concerns and help you figure out next steps.
You can also call 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to talk through an immediate concern about a friend’s safety.
No, these appointments are intended to provide support to students in distress or to address specific clinical problems. CPS cannot provide documentation for accommodations without a proper evaluation.
If you are working with a CPS provider, please contact them. If you are new to CPS, use the Patient Portal to schedule a treatment planning session.
Drop-in visits are intended for one-time conversations about specific time sensitive issues and to support students in acute distress. At drop-in visits, you are likely to see a different provider at each visit. If you want or need ongoing counseling, it is important to connect with a CPS provider and set up regular appointments. This provider will get to know you and provide consistent treatment over time.
We are located on the third floor (one down from the main entrance) in the Success Through Well-Being suite.
Columbia Health is a confidential resource. Your health information (including attending drop-in) cannot be shared by Columbia Health clinicians without your written consent except under those extraordinary circumstances (such as situations that pose a threat to life) as described in Columbia Health Notice of Privacy Practices: FERPA and HIPAA.