Counseling Services

Balancing the demands of being a CUNY Medicine student in any of our rigorous programs is challenging. Whether you’re pursuing the three-year Sophie Davis BS in Biomedical Science, the four-year MD, or the MS in Physician Assistant Studies, the Counseling and Wellness Center is here to support you—whenever you need it, for as long as you need it.

Students can meet privately with a counselor in our office on the first floor of Harris Hall or via Zoom to discuss any concerns, whether personal, academic, or professional. Our services include individual counseling, crisis intervention, evaluations, psychopharmacology, as well as group sessions and workshops. There are no session limits, no wait time, and no barriers to care.

The Counseling and Wellness Center provides a confidential and supportive space for students to address all personal concerns. Our team includes psychologists, clinical social workers, and a psychiatrist, all dedicated to helping students navigate challenges that may arise during their time at CUNY Medicine.

Common topics students discuss with our counselors include:

• Time management and productivity
• Managing stress, anxiety, and depression
• Balancing academics, relationships, family responsibilities, and social life
• Questions about identity and sexuality
• Alcohol and substance use concerns
• Exploring career paths and professional concerns

Our goal is to ensure that students in all of our programs have access to the support they need, without barriers or session limits.

Assessments

We offer neuropsychological evaluations at no cost to students to help assess cognitive and emotional health. These comprehensive assessments evaluate such areas as memory, attention, and problem-solving, and provide valuable insights into how mental health factors like stress or anxiety may impact your well-being. The results can guide you toward resources for further support and improvement. Please contact the Counseling and Wellness Center for more information: counseling@med.cuny.edu.

Meet Our Counselors

The Counseling and Wellness Center offers flexible in-person and virtual sessions, ensuring that students can access the support they need in a way that works best for them.

On Campus and via Zoom

• Victor Schwartz, MD – Senior Associate Dean for Wellness and Student Life (vschwartz@med.cuny.edu)
• Donna Gooden, LCSW-R – Director of Counseling and Wellness (dgooden@med.cuny.edu)
• Marlene Schrank Williams, LCSW-R – Student Psychological Counselor (mschrank@med.cuny.edu)
• Melissa Mayers-Morris, MPA – Administrator – (mmayersmorris@med.cuny.edu)
• Daphne Lawrence, BA – Office Assistant – (dlawrence@med.cuny.edu)
• Minsun Lee, PhD Psychologist – Clinical Professor of Medicine – (mlee4@med.cuny.edu)

Off-Campus Clinicians via Zoom

Please contact the Counseling and Wellness Center staff for a referral to see one of the following clinicians:

• Vanessa Bing, PhD
• Eduvigis Cruz-Arrieta, Ph.D.
• Seymour Pardo, Ph.D.
• Judith Roth, Ph.D.
• Eric Rubin, M.D.
• Kristin Friedlander, LMSW
• Elizabeth Bassano, LCSW-R

To Make an Appointment

To schedule an appointment with one of our onsite or off-campus clinicians, please complete our [Intake Form] or contact the center directly at: counseling@med.cuny.edu. You can also call 212-650-8429 and leave your name, phone number, and preferred times to be reached.

For immediate support outside of business hours or on weekends, please call our emergency line at 914-230-0587. Your well-being matters. We’re here to support you—whenever you need it

For Immediate Help

Free, confidential crisis support is available 24/7 for anyone in distress. For immediate help, reach out to the:

• Call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
• Text “start” to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line

In a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. The closest ED to campus is Mount Sinai Morningside Emergency Room at 113th Street and Amsterdam Avenue.

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