As concerns about mental health continue to grow, a clinic in downtown Albany is working to make counseling easier to access and more affordable.
The Psychological Services Center, located along Washington Avenue, offers counseling on a sliding scale, with sessions starting at $45 and adjusted based on a client’s income. The center is operated by University at Albany students and aims to reduce the stigma many people associate with seeking mental health care by lowering cost barriers.
“We do not take insurance sort of historically. We’ve really been available for people who don’t have it didn’t have mental health care as part of their insurance. Didn’t have insurance at all,” said Drew Anderson, the center’s interim director.
Sessions at the center are led by UAlbany psychology students, providing them with hands-on clinical experience. “I think it is an invaluable sort of opportunity to be able to do that because as early psychologists we need this sort of face to face experience,” said Vanessa Aryee, a UAlbany clinical psychology Ph.D. student.
Anderson said clients should not be concerned that sessions are conducted by students, noting that they are closely supervised. “We have a closed circuit television. So at any time the officer of the day or their clinical director can watch any given session and so they’re really closely monitored by the licensed psychologist,” he said. Anderson also addressed confidentiality. “It’s not connected the internet. Nobody can bring any of those materials out of that of the building. Confidentiality in New York State is the law for us and it’s a pretty strong law and we take that very seriously,” he said.
Aryee said the center’s role as a community clinic can help people feel more comfortable seeking support. “With us being a community clinic and advocating that we are here for people who need help I think it makes it more normal for them and also helps them in their healing journey,” she said.
The Psychological Services Center offers counseling for people of all ages, including children and adolescents as well as adults.