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Mental Health Counseling

Carson Carr Scholar

Helpful Hints

 

A Collection of Helpful Hints from former Master's Students

1. Possible Mental Health Counseling electives include: Psychology of Disability (ECPY 622), Counseling Families (ECPY 809), Counseling Children, Adolescents (ECPY 611), and Medical Aspects of Disability (ECPY 761).

2. Electives are possible from almost any psychology division (educational psychology, school psychology, etc.) Also electives may be available from other departments. Just check with your advisor FIRST.

3. The number for housing assistance is (518) 442-5875.

a. Off-campus Housing: http://www.albany.edu/opsoca/off_campus_housing/
b. On-campus Housing: http://www.albany.edu/housing/

4. Cheaper textbooks may sometimes be purchased at Mary Jane Books on 215 Western Avenue. The phone number is (518) 465-2238.

5. DO NOT hesitate to advocate for yourself when working at your practicum and internship site.

6. DO NOT miss any labs or you will receive an incomplete for your practicum and have to make the hours up later.

7. If by the end of your first month/month and a half of your practicum, you doubt that you will fulfill your required 30 one on one hours, it may be wise to consider changing sites. You are responsible for making certain that you complete these hours. If you do not, an incomplete may result.

8. The Science Library has great study rooms for groups of two or more.

9. You can get up to 125 free copies per week at the GSO (Graduate Student Organization) Office. After 125 copies you must provide your own paper.

10. Make full use of your advisor. He or she is there to help you navigate this experience.

11. Please come to class presentation days. A strong group dynamic depends on your attendance.

12. The Masters Student Association (MSA)

One or two of you may want to consider being representatives at faculty meetings alongside second-year masters students and doctoral students as a helpful way to learn about departmental issues and events. It is also a place to advocate and be a voice for the program. This can be an invaluable experience.

Finally, enjoy your time here. This experience may at times seem overwhelmingly stressful. This is completely normal, and has been experienced by all classes preceding yours. Do not hesitate to discuss these issues with your advisor, professors or other students in the program. We’re all in this together. Welcome to the University at Albany !

Helpful hints compiled by: Kathleen Fish, Carina Greggersen, Kelly Crane, Michelle Lavigne, Victoria O’Donnell, Tim Dawkins, Sonya Savino, and Megan Fiore.