Services We Provide

Behavioral Medicine offers a range of mental health services to students. We strive to keep the BU community healthy and thriving, so please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need:

• Assessment and diagnosis
• Brief treatment, including therapy and psychiatry for a variety of mental health issues
• Groups and Workshops
• 24/7 on-call service for mental health emergencies (617-353-3569)
• Referral to community resources for longer-term care
• Phone consultation for students, parents, and BU faculty and staff
• Outreach and prevention programming

Though we don’t limit the number of sessions we offer, our model of care is short-term with referrals to local clinicians when longer-term or more extensive treatment is recommended. This allows greater access for all students in the community.

Clinicians are available 24/7, for daytime emergency triage and phone consultations, as well as mental health emergencies that occur after our clinic is closed.

Who can use mental health services at SHS?

If you’re 1) a full-time student or 2) a part-time student with the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), you can use all services at SHS. Part-time students without SHIP can attend support groups and get help in an emergency. We can also refer you to community providers for more services. SHS mental health services are free. The cost is covered by your tuition.

Getting started

If you are curious about whether therapy is right for you, we’ve made it easy to get started and learn more about your options. Student Health Services Behavioral Medicine now offers online booking for initial evaluations.  

An initial evaluation is a 20-30 minute appointment for students who have not been seen in our office before. This appointment helps us assess your mental health needs so, together, we can create a plan that is best for you. These can include referrals to providers and other resources at Behavioral Medicine or a referral to off-campus providers and resources, among other options. Learn more about SHS’s mental health offerings. 

If you are having a mental health emergency, please do not book online. Instead, please call the Behavioral Medicine Department immediately at 617-353-3569 and ask to speak with a triage clinician/on-call provider. You can also call 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Room. 

How to Schedule an Initial Evaluation  

• Log onto patientconnect.bu.edu 
• Select Appointments, then Schedule an Appointment 
• Confirm that you are not having a life-threatening emergency  
• Select Mental Health (Behavioral Medicine or Counseling) 
• Select I would like to schedule an initial evaluation with a provider 
• Choose a time that works for you 
• Alternately, you can call 617-353-3569 between 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM to schedule an appointment 

Looking for a referral?  

Need a referral for a provider in the community? You can get a referral for a therapist or prescriber in the community by contacting our referral coordinator via PatientConnect or calling 617-358-5714.

What to Expect at Your First Appointment

If you are new to therapy, it’s normal to feel a little nervous the first time you contact or visit Behavioral Medicine. This video shows what to expect at your first appointment.  

Not Ready to Make an Appointment?

Struggling with something specific? There are steps you can take immediately to improve common issues faced by college students.

Check out Half of Us, which offers students relevant information about mental health and academic issues.

ULifeline is where you can find great information about a variety of common issues that students face and you can access a self-evaluator that may help you decide what the next best steps may be.

You can visit our resource page for a number of tips for improving your mood, sleep, and overall well-being.

If you or someone you know is an imminent danger to themselves or someone else, call the BUPD on the Charles River Campus (617-353-2121), Public Safety at BUMC (617-638-4144), or 911 if you are off campus.